Some of the games that came out during the Amiga years truly were amazing. I remember as a kid when I had my little NES and my cousin had his Amiga. The difference between the graphics and sounds on the games was huge. While the Amiga did in a way suffer when the consoles shifted into the 16-bit era, there is no doubt that there is a great selection of classic Amiga games, and this is just a small selection that any game collection would be proud to have.

Sensible World of Soccer

1996

This still to this day is my favourite football (sorry soccer) game of all time. Despite the fact that you only use one button to play this game it is incredibly in depth. For many of us what made this game so great at the time was the amazing manager mode. This manager mode had some features that for whatever reason still are not in any of the Fifa or PES games. Sensible World of Soccer is not only a great Amiga game, it is also one of the best sports titles ever released. It may look graphically simplistic, but do not underestimate just how fun this game it.

Lemmings

1991

Lemming has pretty much been ported to every single computer, console, and handheld system imaginable. For many however it was on the Amiga that many of us fell in love with these little guys. Lemmings is a great puzzle game that has a ton of personality. It has some very easy puzzles, but also some very difficult ones that will drive you crazy. There are also those puzzles that when they start look very complex, only for you to them notice you have been overcomplicating it the whole time. All of the little Lemmings despite there tiny size are very well animated.

Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles: The Coin Op

1991

I loved this game in both the arcades and even the NES version. For me this was the closest I have ever came to playing a arcade game at home. It looked and sounded amazing. While the controls were not perhaps quite as tight as the arcade version, this is still a great scrolling beat em up. This is one of those games that gets a real raw deal. But if you actually play this game, I am sure that without a doubt you will love it.  If you are a fan of scrolling beat em ups, then this really is a game you must try.

Batman

1989

This by many gamers, and Amiga fans is considered one of the best movie tie in games that was ever released on the Amiga. Batman simply put looks fantastic, all of the side scrolling levels look amazing, and have a dark and moody look just like the movie did. You have to beat up bad guys with your fists and use a few of Batman’s gadgets along the way. There is also these really impressive driving sections, that mix up the game play. Batman is a great action game that really pushed the limits of the Amiga at the time it was released.

Chuck Rock

1992

I loved Chuck Rock as a kid, this is another one of those games that has been ported to nearly every gaming system under the sun. For many it is the Amiga version that is the best one that was released. Its a side scrolling platform game, where you play as a caveman called Chuck Rock. This game looks amazing. It has a cartoon look to it, and looks very vibrant and colourful. It can be quite a tough game, and does have a few puzzle elements to it, that really can be quite challenging. In all its a fun game, that plays great and has a very fun story.

In terms of video game icons is there really anyone bigger than Mario and Sonic? I think the majority of people on the planet know who Sonic the Hedgehog is even if they are not into video games. This list of Sonic games is going to be a little different. You see I am excluding Sonic 1, 2, CD, 3, and Sonic & Knuckles. Reason for this is that I want to look at some of the other classic Sonic games that have been released over the years, and not just the original five games, although the original five are as classic as classic games can be.

Sonic Adventure

Dreamcast

1999

Sonics first entrance into the world of 3D gaming was greeted with a mixed response. While the game does have a few problems, there is no getting away from the fact that this was a huge milestone in Sonic games. It created quite a in-depth story for Sonic and his friends, and offered more than just beating a level and fighting Dr Eggman at the end. Sonic Adventure also let you play as Sonics buddies (some good and bad) and tell events from the games story from there point of view. While many people have picked apart all of Sonic Adventures flaws over the years, at the time when you first played this game it really was, and I would say still is fun to play.

Sonic Adventure 2

Dreamcast

2001

Sonic Adventure 2 improved on its predecessor in everyway you could imagine. It had two different story modes. One where you play as the heroes, and the other where you play as the dark side including the new character Shadow the Hedgehog. Shadow is still insanely popular today, many even prefer him to Sonic. Sonic Adventure tightened the camera from the first game. In addition to the two story modes, there was also a good amount of multi player modes for you to play. Even including a fun kart racing game. Sonic Adventure 2 in many gamers opinions is one of the best games in the 3D Sonic era.

Sonic Spinball

Sega Mega Drive

1993

While many saw this game as nothing more than than something to distract fans until Sonics next platform adventure was ready, it still is a fun game. Sonic Spinball pretty much is a pinball simulator with one big difference, Sonic is the ball. You still do have a little control over Sonic, but for the most part you need to hit him with flippers like you would a pinball game to move him round the stages. Sonic Spinball is somewhat of a ignored gem in the Sonic back catalogue. It offers something very different from his other platform adventures.

Sonic Chaos

Sega Master System

1993

Sega’s 8-bit console was no stranger to Sonic the Hedgehog. They went in there own direction instead of just giving fans a watered down version of the 16-bit games. Sonic Chaos was the best out of the Sonic Master System games. One really cool feature when you fire this game up, is that it lest the player pick between playing as Sonic or Tails. Sonic has his spin dash move while Tails can fly, so each character gives you a different game play experience. It is kind of like playing as Tails is the easy mode, while Sonic is the harder mode. Sonic Chaos is a great addition to the Sonic library of games.

Sonic Colours

Nintendo Wii

2010

While this is a modern Sonic game, it certainly deserves its credit for being a classic game (well a modern classic). Sonic Colours really did get Sonic back on track after a few less than stellar video games. Sonic  may not have had the easiest time in his transition from 2D to 3D, but this game has the perfect blend of 2D segments as well as some 3D ones also. Everything about this game is great, it looks amazing and plays really good also. While you can only play as Sonic, he can get alien powers that let he do things such as a drill, purple monster, rocket amongst others. It really helps keep the game play fresh. All of the worlds in the game look amazing as well. This really is one of the best looking games on the Wii. In terms of modern classic Sonic games, many would argue the case that Sonic Colours is the best.

I loved my NES as a kid, that really though does not make me special as to tell the truth most gamers who are my age loved there NES as well. It is with good reason though as the NES really is the definition of an absolute classic when it comes to a video game system, the amount of franchises that were launched on this console is amazing. I wanted to give a list of a few of my top NES games that I feel should have a home in all gamers collections.

The Legend of Zelda

1986

I have to be honest the first Zelda game I ever played was actually The Adventure of Link, I never played this gem until a after I had already completed the sequel The Adventure of Link. This first Zelda game is great, not just as a piece of video game history which it no doubt is, but because it still actually holds up today as a fantastic video game in its own right. It is a action RPG that at the time blew gamers minds. This really is a game that I would put money on that any collector out there will have at least one copy in there collection.

Super Mario Bros 3

1988

This is side scrolling action at its very best, Nintendo took everything that was great about the first Mario game and improved on it in every single way imaginable. While you still have that classic Mario 2D platforming goodness, which on its own is fantastic. There is just so much more to this game that sets it apart from the other platformers of the era. Each of the worlds feels unique and special. There is also the best power ups that have ever been in a Mario game, also each world had its own boss with one of the Koopa Kids. This game is near on perfect, and if you play the NES version your gaming skills will be put to the test, as there is no save feature so you have to beat it all in one sitting.

Castlevania

1987

This was the very first video game that blew my mind as a child, I loved all the classic black and white monster movies, and now was my time to play through them in a video game. Castlevania is a great action side scroller that just has a ton of personality. You work your way through all the cool looking levels and take on some very iconic bosses such as Frankenstein’s Monster, The Grim Reaper and of course Dracula him self. Castlevania is a very good game, but it does have its share of frustrating moments. This is one game that your really have to put the practice in if you want to beat it. It provides a very tough challenge, at the time this was without a doubt the toughest video game I had ever played. It was so good and different though that I stuck with it and put in hours of practice till I put Dracula in his place.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II The Arcade Game

1990

I loved Ninja Turtles as a kid, and was a little disappointed by the video game that was released on my NES. Konami would make up for it a short time later by releasing there arcade classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game for the NES. While clearly it has taken a hit in the graphical department from its arcade counterpart. This is still side scrolling arcade beat em up action on the NES at its absolute best. You get all the content from the arcade game, but what makes this game even better was the inclusion of bonus levels that were not in the arcade game.

Mighty Final Fight

1993

This somewhat obscure classic was released fairly late into the life of the NES. Many gamers loved the Capcom classic Final Fight and when word was first announced of Final Fight was coming to the NES, many gamers wondered how this could ever work out. Well it worked out fantastic, instead of giving us a watered down port of the arcade version. We got a really crazy deformed style of graphics and a much more light hearted game. It has all three guys you loved in the arcade and it plays very similar to Double Dragon. It may be a bit obscure, but if you like side scrolling beat em ups, then this is a classic on the NES that you will fall in love with.

I was addicted to Link to the Past on Super Nintendo, and as soon as I saw that first article in the Official UK Nintendo Magazine (called Nintendo Magazine System) that compared it to Link to the Past, I knew that this game would be mine. My expectations were probably unrealistically high, but I was not disappointed, this is one of the classic Game Boy games without a shadow of a doubt. How they squeezed all this into a tiny little cart still blows my mind.
Donkey Kong
1994

Many people seem to think that this is just a arcade port of Donkey Kong, and in a way it is but my oh my, it is so much more. I would go as far to say that this is my favourite classic Game Boy game of all time. In fact its one of my all time favourite hand held games on any system. It has all four stages of the original Donkey Kong arcade, but there is a ton more. It has amazing presentation to it that makes the original arcade game even better than it has ever been before.
WWF Superstars
1991

I am sure half the people reading this are thinking cool, and the other half are thinking what the hell, he’s only picking five games and one is a wrestling game. Well this is a great game I would argue that out of all the 8-bit WWF games on the NES, Game Boy, Game Gear. That this one is the best it is a pure arcade title, there is not a great deal of depth, but it is the perfect pick up and play game. I do not think I spent any more time playing a game in my parents car than this one. It looks amazing, sounds great and above all else is a great deal of fun to play.
Super Mario Land 2
1992

I remember at the time of release, a few magazines gave this game a hard time, and still I have no idea why, because its great. Its pure Mario goodness and the creativity in this game is through the roof. All the levels look amazing, and the new power up is a great addition. In all this is great Mario action in the palm of your hand. Nintendo really did make sure that there little hand held system would be stacked with classic games.
Gargoyles Quest
1990

I had no idea what this game was as a kid, I bought it purely based on the fact the box looked awesome. This has to be on a list of classic Game Boy games, it just has to be. There is so much to this game, the depth is absolutely staggering. In its heart it is a action platform game but just saying that is doing it a huge disservice. It has so much going on, that at the time by far it was one of the most in depth Game Boy games I had every played. For some reason many people over look this game and see it as just another platform style action game, but trust me it is so much more.

A really obvious choice I know, but its here for a simple reason its a great game. You will fall in love with all the characters, and get heavily invested in the story. For me this is the best Final Fantasy game and it took until the tenth instalment for anything to come remotely close. Father time may have not been to kind to the visuals, but they still have this great charm to them.
Street Fighter Alpha 3
1999

I know this may not be the “best” version of this title, but for me this is the game that made me fall back in love with the Street Fighter universe. It took everything I loved about Street Fighter, and made it just better in almost every way. A huge roster, phenomenal visuals and blood pumping sounds, by a mile this is the best 2D fighter on the original Playstation. It had a great amount of fun game modes that, even in single player could keep you interested in the game for a very long time.

Dino Crisis 2
2000

The best survival horror game on the Playstation, yeah I just said that. I loved this game and still do, it is more of a action game than a survival horror one to be fair, but its fantastic. Its fast paced but still has many of those jumpy moments just like in Resident Evil. It still kills me to this day that we have never gotten a real sequel to this game (I refuse to count Dino Crisis 3 as a real sequel) If I could only suggest one game in this survival horror type style, then it would be Dino Crisis 2. It plays and looks great and just when you think the game play is all the same, it will throw in a cool on rails segment to keep things fresh.
Die Hard Trilogy
1996

How can you not like this game? It is three great games in one package, what more could you ask for? You have three different game styles here. 3^rd person action game for Die Hard 1, on rails light gun shooter for Die Hard 2 and a action car game for Die Hard with a Vengeance. Its amazing value, but all three games are actually fun to play. I would have this game on here alone for Die Hard 2, as when looking at classic Playstation games there in my opinion is no better light gun shooter.
Tekken 3
1998

As far as 3D fighters go, Tekken 3 blew my mind and really did show that the Playstation had a great more to offer in terms of great 3D graphics. Tekken 3 was the pinnacle of the series on the original Playstation. It had a ton of characters and the fighting was very fine tuned, its easy to play, but a lot harder to master and that is a big part of the charm of Tekken. As well as being a great deal of fun in multi player, there is a good selection of single player modes that will keep you busy for a very long time.

This is third person action done right. This game is amazing and still to this day it looks great. I loved the show but this game is good in its own right, and any one could enjoy this game. Its a fun 3^rd person action game that has sky high production values. It actually was an Xbox exclusive and the sequel which was released (Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds) ended up being multi platform and did not look anywhere near as good as this game. Do not just write this off as a quick buck tie in game, its great plain and simple.

Half Life 2
2005

For ages I heard my PC gaming buddy go on about how great Half Life 2 was, when it was released on Xbox I got to see what he and the rest of the PC gaming community were so excited about. I have heard that in comparison to the PC version it is not as smooth. However I was blown away at how great this was. Its a first person shooter, but this is a story driven master pieces that makes you actually care about the fate of the characters.
Halo 2
2004

Halo 2 for me was the first time where I felt like I was playing a role in some huge budget, summer block buster movie. I know that people may be split on the story of the game but I loved it. Halo 2 played great and looked amazing and for me is the best game in the Halo saga. In addition to the great single player mode was the awesome multi player. This was the game that got me addicted to online gaming. There are some great Xbox classic games out there but I would bet that this game would be on most gamers lists.

Chronicles Of Riddick Escape From Butcher Bay
2004

What a game I was not a huge fan of the movie this game blew me away. Sadly may people saw it as a tie in game but its a great game that in truth is its own story, and not just a re hash of the Chronicles of Riddick movie. At the time these graphics were phenomenal and still hold up incredibly well to this day. As far as movie tie in games go, I would go as far to say that this is probably my favourite of all time (sorry Goldeneye)Its a first person action game that is very story driven.
Breakdown
2004

I still vividly remember reading the article that described this game as a first person Streets of Rage style game, with that I was immediately interested. This may have some flaws but the concept behind the game was amazing, something that I would love to see someone try again some day. Breakdown is a first person beat em up and yes it is a little rough and the story is well like something out of a 80’s action movie (in a good way) but there is just something so cool about this game that you really must give it a try.

I know this may seem a obvious choice, but its a classic for a reason. Even the most novice gamer knows what space invaders is. What I used to love about it, was imagining in my head that I was in this huge intergalactic war and only I could stop the Space Invaders. This is a really good home version of the arcade classic. I really did not want to do just a generic Atari games list, but I really could not leave this game out.
Pitfall
1982

Many have emulated this platform classic over the years, and it kind of in a way is the grand father to many modern platform games. Pitfall is a great game that still holds up well today, for a 2600 game it is pretty straight forward in what you have to do to beat the game. Many games of this era were so basic you would often wonder what they hell you were supposed to do. Not with Pitfall it had a actual goal that you had to accomplish.

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time & Majoras Mask

Our little green buddy Link had two fantatsic adventures on the Nintendo 64 and both, without a doubt, are classic games. It really is up to debate which one you prefer, but back in the late 90’s first stepping out into Hyrule field in 3D was such an amazing feeling, one that I will never forget.

Super Mario 64

Its really obvious to put this game on here I know. So yeah it’s a classic and if you have never played this game then…. I really do not know what to say.

Diddy Kong Racing

I decided to put this on here over Mario Kart 64. For me this game was everything Mario kart 64 was but more. The challenge in single player on this game was through the roof. But, for me, the reason it gets the spot over Mario Kart comes down to one thing: 4 player grand prix. While Mario kart let you have 4 player races, it never let you do a whole Grand Prix – well, Diddy Kong Racing did!


WWF No Mercy

I nearly failed my first year of university due to the amount of time me and my fellow housemates spent playing WWF No Mercy. I honestly do not think I have put any more time into a multi player game than WWF No Mercy. Even to this day I have never found a wrestling game in multi player as much fun as WWF No Mercy. This, without a doubt deserves to be mentioned as a Classic Nintendo 64 game.

Turok Dinosaur Hunter
It may not look and play that great by today’s standards, but at the time words couldn’t describe how amazed I was by Turok Dinosaur Hunter. This was the game that single handed made me save up my cash and buy the Nintendo 64 and then spend a phenomenal £74.99 on the game. It may not hold up well today, but in terms of the history of the Nintendo 64 I feel it deserves to be remembered.

Dino Crisis 2
This is better than any of the Resident Evil games on the original Playstation – there, I’ve got it out of my system (and I love the Resi games too!) This classic playstation game is like an action movie, where you play the main part. I loved the story and the cheesy voice acting. To this day, it still kills me that Capcom never wrapped up the story to this game.

Alundra
“Have you seen that game that looks like Zelda?” was what one of my friends asked me one day. He was talking about Alundra. His reference to Zelda sparked my curiosity and I certainly was not disappointed. This is a great action based RPG that if you like the old Zelda games then you will no doubt fall in love with Alundra.

Disc World
I first encountered this game on a demo disc that came with the Official UK Playstation magazine. I think I must have played through that demo at least 50 time,s before I got the full game. Disc World is a point and click adventure game that has a great and funny story and a whole bunch of fantastic characters.

Die Hard Trilogy
Three games for the price of one – don’t mind if I do! Wait, all three are really good games as well – even better! This was a great movie licensed game and I honestly loved all three games on the disc. I know that many people found Die Hard With A Vengeance hard to control, but I loved it. But, my favourite was the on rails light gun shooter Die Hard 2.

Crash Team Racing
Many gamers (my self included) thought that this was nothing more than Sony’s way of cashing in and trying to get some of the Mario Kart audience. Well, that may be true, but this is also a fantastic cart racing game. Its fast, its fun and in multi player you will have an absolute blast. It’s just such a shame that so many people see it as a Mario Kart rip off. It is…but a damn good one! I would even go as far to say I prefer this to Mario kart 64!

When I think about Street Fighter II, as well as the great game, another thing I always think of is just how expensive it was. I live in the UK and when it was first released in the last few months of 1992 it was an amazing £64.99, yet people gladly put down their money for what, at the time, was perhaps the best arcade port to hit the home market.

Street Fighter II on Nintendo, for me was a game that in truth, anyone could play, but not just anyone could master. This game really took dedication and me and my group of friends would always try to be the number one player. It was not unusual for us to have our sweaters over our hand, hiding what controller combinations we were doing!

Street Fighter on Nintendo was amazing and it still is to this day. The impact that it had at the time resulted in us getting a ton of one on one fighting games on the market over the next few years. Some were good, but a great deal were just flat out terrible. Very few managed to capture the perfect blend of game play and personality like Street Fighter II on the Nintendo did.
When I look back on Street Fighter on Nintendo and its two sequels in Street Fighter II, Turbo and Super Street Fighter, I am taken back to a time when getting a great arcade port at home really meant a great deal to gamers. Also, when I look back on Street Fighter II, suddenly I realise just how old I am now!