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RFGen Top 20 plus? Games of the Early Years
Posted on Feb 13th 2021 at 01:00:00 PM by (EZ Racer)
Posted under top 20, nes, snes, genesis, pc, n64, playstation, nintendo, ps1, mario, zelda

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/223564-super-mario-bros-nes-screenshot-starting-a-new-game.png[/img]

So after taking much of 2020 to look at some of the best games for several different home console systems of the 70's, 80's, and 90's, it only seemed natural to kick off 2021 with a list of the best of the best.

The results are based off of 5 participants:

Crabmaster2000
EZ Racer
DisposedHero
Fokakis79
Wempster

Voters were encouraged to list all their best games if they couldn't get it cut to 20, and a few lists took advantage of that. Games from all systems released as 5th generation consoles (N64, Playstation 1, Sega Saturn) and prior were eligible. Japan exclusives were also eligible, along with PC titles released in 1999 or earlier.

In all, there were 89 games that were considered among the best of the early video game generations, and rather than list the also-rans separately, I thought it woulld be fun to list every game in order. My thought is that all these games are considered exceptional by at least one person, so if your looking for ideas for something to try, it might be for you as well.

Before getting to it, thanks to those who participated this month, and all who made lists in 2020. It's been a lot of fun, and look forward to a lot more in '21! If you're a GameCube fan, check out the link for the next list coming up- http://www.rfgeneration.c...m/index.php?topic=19495.0

So here are your Top 20...er top 89 games as voted on by RFGen members!



89. System Shock 2 (PC)
First Released- 1999
Genre- First Person Shooter, Action RPG


88. Illusion of Gaia (SNES)
First Released- 1993
Genre- Adventure


87. Chrono Cross (PS1)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/686882-chrono-cross-playstation-screenshot-crossing-an-ominous-yet.png[/img]

First Released- 1999
Genre- RPG


86. Golden Axe (Genesis)
First Released- 1989
Genre- Beat-em Up


85. Metal Slug (Neo Geo)
First Released- 1996
Genre- Run n Gun


84. Shining Force (Genesis)
First Released- 1992
Genre- Tactics RPG


83. Resident Evil (PS1)
First Released- 1996
Genre- Survival Horror


82. Dragon Warrior III (GB Color)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/8/2/3/737823.jpg[/img]

First Released- 2000
Genre- RPG


81. Castlevania Bloodlines (Genesis)
First Released- 1993
Genre- Action Platformer


80. Parasite Eve (PS1)
First Released- 1998
Genre- Action RPG


79. Civilization (SNES)
First Released- 1995
Genre- Strategy


78. Secret of Mana (SNES)
First Released- 1993
Genre- RPG


77. Fire Emblem (GBA)
First Released- 2003
Genre- Tactics RPG


76. Mortal Kombat II (SNES)
First Released- 1994
Genre- Fighting


75. Dune 2000 (PC)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/28924-dune-2000-windows-screenshot-infantry-has-the-advantage-of.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1998
Genre- Strategy


74. Tecmo Super Bowl (SNES)
First Released- 1993
Genre- Sports


73. Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1)
First Released- 1997
Genre- Tactics RPG


72. Swords and Serpents (NES)
First Released- 1990
Genre- RPG Dungeon Crawler


71. Akumajou Dracula X (Castlevania: Rondo of Blood) (PC Engine CD)
First Released- 1993
Genre- Action Platformer


70. Outrun (Genesis)
First Released- 1991
Genre- Racing


69. Super Ghouls n Ghosts (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/79208-super-ghouls-n-ghosts-snes-screenshot-you-ll-hate-these-guys.png[/img]

First Released- 1991
Genre- Action Platformer


68. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (PS1)
First Released- 1999
Genre- Fighting


67. Extreme G (N64)
First Released- 1997
Genre- Racing


66. Pitfall! (Atari 2600)
First Released- 1982
Genre- Platformer


65. Twisted Metal 2 (PS1)
First Released- 1996
Genre- Demolition Derby


64. Streets of Rage 2 (Genesis)
First Released- 1992
Genre- Beat-em Up


63. Silent Hill (PS1)
First Released- 1999
Genre- Survival Horror


62. Super C (NES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/48060-super-contra-nes-screenshot-this-guy-isn-t-that-tough-the-snake.gif[/img]

First Released- 1990
Genre- Run n Gun


61. Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)
First Released- 1999
Genre- RPG


60. King of Fighters '97 (Neo Geo AES)
First Released- 1997
Genre- Fighting


59. (will be combined with a later entry on the list)


58. Uniracers (SNES)
First Released- 1994
Genre- Racing


57. Golden Axe II (Genesis)
First Released- 1991
Genre- Beat-em Up


56. Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/7/6/3/394763.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1988
Genre- Platformer


55. Star Fox 64 (N64)
First Released- 1997
Genre- Rail Shooter


54. Secret of Monkey Island (Sega CD)
First Released- 1992
Genre- Point and Click Adventure


53. Banjo-Kazooie (N64)
First Released- 1998
Genre- Platformer


52. Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey (N64)
First Released- 1996
Genre- Sports


51. Wave Race 64 (N64)
First Released- 1996
Genre- Racing


50. Metroid Fusion (GBA)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/239806-metroid-fusion-game-boy-advance-screenshot-samus-evil-clone.png[/img]

First Released- 2002
Genre- Adventure


49. Super Mario RPG (SNES)
First Released- 1996
Genre- RPG


48. Super Double Dragon (SNES)
First Released- 1992
Genre- Beat-em Up


47. F-Zero X (N64)
First Released- 1998
Genre- Racing


46. Sonic 2 (Genesis)
First Released- 1992
Genre- Platformer


45. Contra (NES)
First Released- 1987
Genre- Run n Gun


44. Rygar (NES)
First Released- 1987
Genre- Action Platformer


43. Super Bomberman 2 (SNES)
First Released- 1994
Genre- Action, Party


42. Donkey Kong (Game Boy)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/21716-donkey-kong-game-boy-screenshot-a-vertically-scrolling-level.gif[/img]

First Released- 1994
Genre- Puzzle Platformer


41. Pokemon Blue (Game Boy)
First Released- 1996, 1998
Genre- RPG


40. Guerrilla War (NES)
First Released- 1987
Genre- Run n Gun


39. Wizards and Warriors (NES)
First Released- 1987
Genre- Action Platformer


38. Half-Life (PC)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/83826-half-life-windows-screenshot-one-of-the-bigger-aliens-in-the.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1998
Genre- First Person Shooter


37. Perfect Dark (N64)
First Released- 2000
Genre- First Person Shooter


36. Advance Wars 2 (GBA)
First Released- 2003
Genre- Strategy


35. Mike Tyson's Punch-Out (NES)
First Released- 1987
Genre- Sports


34. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (PS1)
First Released- 1996
Genre- Puzzle


33. Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask (N64)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/6/1/1/17611.jpg[/img]

First Released- 2000
Genre- Adventure


32. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
First Released- 1988
Genre- Platformer


31. TMNT IV: Turtles in Time (SNES)
First Released- 1992
Genre- Beat-em Up


30. Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Game Boy) and 59. Link's Awakening DX (GB Color)
First Released- 1993/1998
Genre- Adventure

writer's note- The two games were enough alike to list them together, however, enough enhancements between the first and second versions to warrant making them unique entries on the list.


29. Strikers 1945 (PS1)
First Released- 1998 (as Strikers 1945 II in Japan)
Genre- Shoot-em Up


28. Lords of Thunder (Turbo CD/Sega CD)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/387095-lords-of-thunder-turbografx-cd-screenshot-damn-you-big-snake.png[/img]

First Released- 1993/1995
Genre- Shoot-em Up


27. Ninja Gaiden II (NES)
First Released- 1990
Genre- Action Platformer


26. Castlevania (NES)
First Released- 1986
Genre- Action Platformer


25. Final Fantasy IV (SNES)
First Released- 1991 (Released as Final Fantasy II in NA region)
Genre- RPG


24. Earthbound (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/8/6/0/181860.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1994
Genre- RPG


23. Super Mario Kart (SNES)
First Released- 1992
Genre- Racing


22. Heroes of Might and Magic III (PC)
First Released- 1999
Genre- Strategy


21. Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
First Released- 1994
Genre- Platformer


----------And now for the final 20----------


20. Final Fantasy VII (PS1)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/397291-final-fantasy-vii-playstation-screenshot-the-first-boss-battle.png[/img]

First Released- 1997
Genre- RPG



19. Tecmo Super Bowl (NES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/1/7/4/173174.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1991
Genre- Sports



18. Resident Evil 2 (PS1/N64)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/5/3/9/26539.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1998
Genre- Survival Horror



17. Mega Man X (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/116332-mega-man-x-snes-screenshot-riding-a-mine-cart.png[/img]

First Released- 1993
Genre- Action Platformer



16. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/173929-castlevania-symphony-of-the-night-playstation-screenshot-death.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1997
Genre- Action RPG



15. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron (N64)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/196269-star-wars-rogue-squadron-3d-nintendo-64-screenshot-starting.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1998
Genre- Rail Shooter



14. Street Fighter II (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/32815-street-fighter-ii-the-world-warrior-snes-screenshot-guile-jumps.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1992
Genre- Fighting



13. Final Fantasy IX (PS1)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/693984-final-fantasy-ix-playstation-screenshot-another-awesome-view.png[/img]

First Released- 2000
Genre- RPG



12. Mega Man 2 (NES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/1/5/7/74157.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1988
Genre-Action Platformer



11. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/765373-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-nintendo-64-screenshot.png[/img]

First Released- 1998
Genre- Adventure



10. Goldeneye 007 (N64)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/193243-goldeneye-007-nintendo-64-screenshot-a-scene-from-the-famous.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1997
Genre- First Person Shooter



9. F-Zero (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/224347-f-zero-snes-screenshot-getting-ready-for-the-big-jump-on-red.png[/img]

First Released-1990
Genre- Racing



8. Legend of Zelda (NES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/312927-the-legend-of-zelda-nes-screenshot-ghoma-must-be-hit-in-his.png[/img]

First Released- 1986
Genre- Adventure



7. Super Metroid (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/546928-super-metroid-snes-screenshot-here-s-the-entrance-to-tourian.png[/img]

First Released- 1993
Genre- Adventure



6. Chrono Trigger (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/65827-chrono-trigger-snes-screenshot-lucca-s-newest-invention.png[/img]

First Released- 1995
Genre- RPG



5. Mario Kart 64 (N64)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/246960-mario-kart-64-nintendo-64-screenshot-mario-in-kalimari-desert.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1996
Genre- Racing



4. Super Mario World (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/218715-super-mario-world-snes-screenshot-bring-a-key-to-a-keyhole.png[/img]

First Released- 1990
Genre- Platformer



3. Final Fantasy VI (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/6/4/5/2758645.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1994 (as Final Fantasy III in NA region)
Genre- RPG



2. Super Mario 64 (N64)

[img width=640 height=480]https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/246946-super-mario-64-nintendo-64-screenshot-lethal-lava-land.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1996
Genre- Platformer



1. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)

[img width=640 height=480]https://gamefaqs1.cbsistatic.com/screen/full/9/3/4/184934.jpg[/img]

First Released- 1991
Genre- Adventure



So that's it, 89 games among the best of the Playstation and N64 era and earlier.

Let the controversy begin...


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Comments
 
Wow, this list was really all over the place. Really curious to see everyone's list in the thread if they're up for posting it.

Also, no Mega Man 3? Was it not on your list Crabby!? :p
 
@Disposed Hero: it didn't make my list.....

Pretty surprised Wayne Gretzky 3D beat out 30+ other games. Otherwise very cool list. Happy with a lot of that.
 
What's funny to me is that I have Wayne Gretzky 3D Hockey on my list but I never thought it would be that high. I was thinking it would be close to last place if not last place.  Maybe the placement I had it on my list pushed it up 30 places. 
 
Very interesting list! A couple surprises, particularly Star Wars: Rogue Squadron being in the top 20. Wish I could have participated, but last month was just ridiculously busy.
 
This list shows sega really needs to release Shining force 3 complete.  Once I played that, it road to the top of my best of games.
 
Your work is just excellent. I really love your work. and thanks for sharing these resources. Your work is just excellent. I really love your work. and thanks for sharing these resources.
IPL Bhavishyavani Prediction 2021.
 
Your work is just excellent. I really love your work. and thanks for sharing these resources. Your work is just excellent. I really love your work. and thanks for sharing these resources.
. IPL Bhavishyavani Prediction 2021

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