The world is full of old games worth playing, and if you're someone like me, you'll definitely be happy with this list of classic games that are still fun to play!
I’m admittedly a lover of classic games. These games just have a completely different vibe and appeal to them, you know? Classic games tick all the right boxes of nostalgia for me, as if I were looking for games like The Sims PC in 2024.
And today, y’all are going to be joining me as we satisfy all of our gaming nostalgia together by checking out this list!
1. Half-Life (Valve) 1998
In 1998, Half-Life‘s narrative and the realism of its made-up environment were significantly superior to that of other games in the genre. They were unparalleled in the gaming industry, in fact.
The Black Mesa Research Facility has an amazing entrance through which you can fly. Doors open and close everywhere, radioactive garbage goes by, and clever remarks blare from speakers above.
Between all of the strange combat and physics-based puzzles, you may delve into the universe that Valve created, which is rich in details and complexities. Half-Life is among the greatest ever created, not just one of the greatest old games, thanks to its smooth level transitions and narrative that never deviates from the first-person viewpoint.
Here’s a video of Half-Life’s trailer:
Resident Evil (Capcom) 1996
Resident Evil (1, 2, and 3) is basically my childhood. I grew up with these games and played on the PlayStation (1). My friends and I would even take turns at the controller, swapping players whenever one of us dies from zombies or if we get too scared to continue through a level. Resident Evil, to me, is truly one of the best old games to play no matter what year it is.
I’ve been curious about playing this one on PC for quite a while now because I don’t have my PS1 anymore. However, getting the original PC version of Capcom’s survival horror classic to run on contemporary devices was nearly impossible for a long time.
Playing the obviously fantastic remake would have been the only opportunity to experience this adventure legitimately. Nevertheless, they are entirely different, in part because zombies could reappear as Crimson Heads, who are far faster, more difficult to kill, and unavoidable if they are not decapitated or burned.
However, 2024 reserved a surprise for Resident Evil Fans
But in 2024, Capcom surprised everyone by bringing back the original Resident Evil PC edition via GOG, although with a few changes to get over certain censorship. I gotta give my praise to Capcom because they seem to really understand the love for old games worth playing that their fans have. Capcom appears to sympathize with the many folks who love classic games and actively look for them, including me.
Getting right back to the topic at hand, though, naturally, everything is still there. This includes the hammy voice acting, the dubious narrative, and the tank controls. However, we adore that aspect of the early 3D gaming age.
With the introduction of CD technology, which gave developers more room to use voice samples and simple polygons, games were starting to take center stage.
What makes Resident Evil so good even in 2024?
The design incorporates everything that could come across as constrictive, from the tank controls and cumbersome aiming to keep the game from being too simple to play to the locked camera angles that hide impending dangers, with shuffles and moans heightening the anxiety.
It also marks the beginning of a fantastic trilogy of survival horror games from the 1990s. Fortunately, Resident Evil 2 is already available on GOG, and the third will be added shortly.
You can even buy the trilogy and receive three when it comes out. Anyone who likes horror games should definitely play them, and now is the ideal moment to do it.
Here’s a video of Resident Evil‘s trailer:
3. Max Payne (Rockstar Games) 2001
I have fond memories of Max Payne. When we were kids, my younger brother and I would often visit our local Internet cafe shop to play this game. Was it age-appropriate for us to play it? Probably not. But we played it and had fun nonetheless, cementing it in our minds as one of the most memorable classic games out there!
Despite being Remedy Entertainment’s second game, Max Payne is an immensely ambitious action game (similar to the cute and action-packed nature of Slime Heroes) that combines mature storytelling with themes from John Woo films to produce a timeless masterpiece. Similar to bullet-time in The Matrix films, the slowdown function in this third-person shooting and action game is available to the game’s protagonist, a former NYPD investigator.
Like Neo, Max can make slow-motion leaps while holding his reliable weapons in both hands to eliminate opponents in front of him. Remedy’s third-person shooter, Max Payne, is surprisingly good, regardless of whether you’re seeking to play it for the first time or return to it after a long break.
You’re in luck if the plot captures your attention because you have two more Max Payne games from the trilogy to play through.
Here’s a video of Max Payne‘s trailer:
4.Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (Konami) 1997
You know, I was honestly late in playing Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. When Google released an Android port for it, I immediately downloaded it (having heard great things pertaining to the game) and was instantly in love with it.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a genre-defining Metroidvania. It has combined RPG mechanics with platforming in a manner that is still imitated today. Even in 2024, its expansive, explorable castle and evocative architecture make it relevant. This game is available for the PS4, Xbox, as well as mobile devices for a more contemporary experience.
Its blend of RPG and platforming elements creates a fun and deep game that is easy to become addicted to. Even after several playthroughs, discovering Dracula’s castle and all of its mysteries is still a satisfying experience. It also stands out in the series because of its distinctive music and gothic art style, which endure remarkably well.
Oh, and there’s also now a Vampire Survivors Castlevania DLC that serves as a homage to this epic and fun genre-defining game. It’s absolutely one of the old games worth playing that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
Here’s a video of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night‘s trailer:
5. Final Fantasy 7 (VII) (SquareSoft) 1997
In 1997, Final Fantasy 7 made its premiere. The game was first available only on the original PlayStation system, but it was later released on the PC in 1998. Then, as time went on, it became accessible for almost all contemporary formats.
The game is easily available for PCs, smartphones, and the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles. However, given the sequence of remakes, is it still worthwhile to play the original and classic Final Fantasy 7? The answer is a resounding yes!
It’s a complex and satisfying role-playing game that may have served as the model for all subsequent games in the genre. However, compared to contemporary gaming experiences, it is noticeably more cumbersome.
Due to this, a few of the more abstract mechanics might be a little difficult for beginners to grasp. Furthermore, the graphic quality clearly falls well short of what can be expected on contemporary platforms.
Many players are still doing their best at the game, as evidenced by the newly discovered Final Fantasy 7 biggest skip! FF7 is one of those classic games in the class of “old games worth playing.”
Here’s a video of Final Fantasy 7‘s trailer:
Bonus Classic Games That Are Still Worth Playing to This Day
You all know how it is; we can’t just end with a simple list of five games. We need to give out some bonus “oldies but goodies” we can all enjoy. So, don’t put those pens and papers away just yet because we have more coming your way!
Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve) 2009
While Left 4 Dead 2 isn’t what many would traditionally call a classic game, it’s still quite an old game that is already 15 years old. And of course, my personal experience with Left 4 Dead 2 was spent mainly in Internet cafes screaming “Tank! Jockey! Spitter! Boomer! Charger! Hunter! Smoker! Witch!” to the friends I was playing with.
Left 4 Dead 2 is here 2 stay 4 good thanks to its replayability, community, and fun factor. Valve’s Source Engine also makes the environment design and graphic style a straightforward but classic approach that proves to be effective. Paired with amazing body effects, gore after killing the Infected, fantastic sound effects, music that greatly increases the impact of weaponry, and several of the top trailers in the industry, you are promised to have a great time.
Here’s a video of Left 4 Dead 2‘s trailer:
Contra (Konami) 1988
What makes Contra one of the old games worth playing lies in how challenging and fun it is. The home version from 1988 is longer and more difficult, with less impressive graphics and simpler but still amazing music.
Now, when I say this game is challenging, I do mean it is challenging. It took me a week to finish all the game’s seven stages without the 30 lives cheat. Memorizing when and where enemies will spawn was the bulk of the challenge, but I found it to be quite fun as well.
If you’re up to the challenge, I recommend getting it and playing it because it deserves to be in the collection of classic games to be remembered by.
Here’s a video of Contra‘s trailer:
Metal Gear Solid (Konami) 1998
In my opinion, Metal Gear Solid is one of the few games that best captures the turning point of the millennium. Even after 25 years, the game still inspires wonder when you boot it up. It is a charmingly crazy work of fiction that is unlike any other, from its exquisitely performed voice acting (a technological miracle on the PlayStation 1) to its unique character design.
A completely new genre of video games was made possible by Metal Gear Solid. Its ambitious plot used interaction to support a groundbreaking storytelling technique that included well-known fourth-wall-breaking moments.
Since Metal Gear Solid is a completely unique game, it has endured over time. Solid Snake’s groundbreaking experience, like the PlayStation system that housed it, was crucial in making video games a respectable form of art. Art that a more mature audience could appreciate.
Here’s a video of Metal Gear Solid‘s trailer:
Diablo II (Blizzard) 2000
Diablo II‘s ongoing popularity as one of the best old PC games is attested to by the fact that Blizzard continued to provide fixes for the game until the official remake was published. Speaking of which, there are rumors of a Warcraft 2 Remastered leak you should absolutely know about!
Diablo II stands out for its gritty, well-animated pixel imagery and its intense action role-playing game mechanics, which have been imitated but seldom surpassed by other games throughout the years. It doesn’t need to adapt to the times because its loot-’em-up action is so captivating.
Due to Blizzard’s mastery of this concept, Diablo II totally defies the normal video game life cycle. It truly is Blizzard’s Magnum Opus.
Here’s a video of Diablo II‘s trailer:
Go Ahead and Pick One of the Old Games Worth Playing That Catches Your Fancy
This has been quite a fun list to make, albeit a long one. But then again, giving attention to these classic games is an endeavor that I will always be happy to take on!
I hope you guys had fun reading this list. Be sure to read our other articles to keep up with what’s hot and what’s not in the gaming world. Stay tuned and catch the gaming current with GameEels!
