Here is a list of videogames that leaved a mark in history (personal opinion), some of these games created a genre and were revolutionary for their time.. here we go…
Civilization Sid Meier’s Civilization revolutionized strategy gaming by combining historical simulation with a deep, turn-based gameplay loop. Its 4X design (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) challenged players to build empires over centuries. The game’s emphasis on replayability and long-term strategic planning has influenced countless strategy titles that followed. SEVEN Sequel have been made.
Street Fighter II This arcade shifted the paradigm for competitive fighting games. With its diverse roster of characters, intricate combo systems, and balanced mechanics, Street Fighter II created a blueprint for tournament play and head-to-head gaming that still resonates in esports today. This probably saved the arcade machines back in the day, and countless versions have been made afterwards. Also the Mugen engine.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Reinvigorating the turn-based tactical genre, XCOM: Enemy Unknown blended high stakes, strategic resource management, and unforgiving permadeath mechanics to create a tension-filled experience. Its design inspired a wave of games emphasizing tactical gameplay and the adrenaline of unexpected alien encounters. Many chapters and remakes official and unofficial.
Doom Often credited with popularizing the first-person shooter (FPS), Doom introduced fast-paced, visceral combat against the backdrop of a demonic invasion. Its engine not only pushed technical boundaries but also created a thriving modding community, setting the stage for the DIY spirit that fuels much of today’s indie game development.
Quake With its fully 3D environments and refined multiplayer mechanics, Quake built on the legacy of Doom and ushered in the era of competitive FPS gaming. It was pivotal in developing online multiplayer communities and esports, thanks to its fluid and dynamic gameplay.
Total War: Shogun & Rome: Total War These titles brilliantly combined grand strategy with real-time tactical battles. By blending a strategic campaign map with large-scale, real-time battle simulations, they elevated the scope of historical and tactical storytelling. The influence of the Total War series can be seen in how modern games approach complex military strategy and historical narratives. Total War series opened a long list of titles, the first in 3d was rome total war.
Super Mario The Mario franchise is the epitome of platforming and game design excellence. Starting with Super Mario Bros., the character redefined what video games could be with its creativity, precise control, imaginative levels, and a sense of joyful exploration that appeals to both casual and hardcore gamers. I prefer Sonic but this one is widely acclaimed too.
Sonic the Hedgehog As Sega’s mascot, Sonic brought agility and speed to the forefront of platform gaming. With its emphasis on rapid movement and kinetic level design, Sonic the Hedgehog offered a vibrant counterpoint to Mario’s adventures, influencing how character and physics-based platformers approached gameplay fluidity and visual style. Sonic is the response to Super mario, and a brilliant game.
Secret of Monkey Island This point-and-click adventure is celebrated for its witty dialogue, clever puzzles, and memorable characters. It broke the mold of traditional adventure games by infusing humor and narrative depth, leaving an indelible mark on the way storytelling and interactive puzzles are interwoven in the genre. Today point and click adventures are not very popular but Monkey island is still there for being played.
Heroes of Might and Magic Melding turn-based strategy with fantasy role-playing elements, Heroes of Might and Magic created a rich tapestry of tactical combat, resource management, and exploration. Its strategic depth and replayability helped define the genre for casual and hardcore strategy gamers alike.
Final Fight As an arcade beat-’em-up classic, Final Fight set the stage for cooperative action and side-scrolling brawlers. It showcased the power of simple yet engaging gameplay, paving the way for numerous titles in the genre and revitalizing arcade multiplayer experiences. Let’s not forget Open Bor.
World of Warcraft (2004) World of Warcraft revolutionized MMORPGs by creating an expansive, persistent world where millions could gather, collaborate, and compete. Its continually evolving content, rich lore, and social mechanics established a blueprint for online communities that many modern games still emulate. Probably cause of this many MMO went FREE 2 PLAY.
Minecraft (2009) Minecraft’s simple blocky aesthetic belies its revolutionary impact. By giving players an open sandbox to explore, build, and experiment with virtually infinite possibilities, it democratized game creativity. Its influence stretches from user-generated content and modding communities to educational environments that harness its creative potential.
Metal Gear Solid (1998) Pioneering the blend of cinematic storytelling and interactive gameplay, Metal Gear Solid broke away from traditional action games by emphasizing stealth, narrative nuance, and character development. It pushed the boundaries of what games could communicate, blurring the lines between movies and interactive art.
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) Halo defined the console first-person shooter, offering a robust multiplayer experience alongside a memorable campaign. Its innovations—such as refined control schemes, a diverse arsenal, and groundbreaking online play—helped cement FPS games as a dominant force on console systems and laid the groundwork for competitive gaming.
Tetris (1984) A masterclass in minimalism, Tetris demonstrates that sometimes simplicity is the key to universal appeal. Its straightforward mechanics and endlessly replayable design have made it a timeless puzzle classic, influencing not only gaming but also fields like neuroscience and psychology in understanding human pattern recognition and addiction. Too many to list but let’s say also Bubble Bobble and Puzzle Bobble.
Resident Evil (1996) Resident Evil pioneered the survival horror genre by mixing exploration, narrative-driven puzzles, and limited resources to generate tension and fear. Its atmospheric environments and iconic creatures continue to inspire a vast array of horror titles, proving that games can evoke powerful emotional responses alongside adrenaline-fueled action.
Half-Life (1998) & Half-Life 2 (2004) These titles redefined storytelling in first-person shooters by integrating narrative elements directly into the gameplay. With immersive environments, innovative AI, and physics-based puzzles, Half-Life and its sequel set new standards for how games tell stories without breaking the player’s sense of immersion. Thanks to a modified version of the Quake 2 engine and of course Valve talent.
Fortnite (2017) What started as a simple battle royale evolved into a cultural phenomenon in Fortnite. Its blend of compelling multiplayer action, live events, and frequent content updates has redefined game-as-a-service models. Fortnite has reshaped not only gameplay mechanics but also the very notion of community engagement in gaming.
Dark Souls (2011) Dark Souls carved out a niche with its notoriously challenging gameplay and intricately connected world design. By rewarding perseverance and careful exploration, it inspired an entire genre of “Souls-like” games. Its cryptic storytelling and environmental lore have made every victory feel deeply earned and every defeat a lesson in patience.
Grand Theft Auto III (2001) GTA III set the standard for open-world sandbox games, offering unprecedented player freedom in a living, breathing urban environment. Its cinematic approach to storytelling combined with emergent gameplay allowed players to experience an interactive narrative filled with moral ambiguity, forever changing how games portray urban life and legal boundaries. This transformed a normal software house on a Rockstar!
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) Ocarina of Time broke ground in 3D game design by introducing innovative mechanics like the lock-on targeting system and intricately designed puzzles. Its sprawling world, memorable music, and emotional narrative helped shape the action-adventure genre, making it a perennial benchmark for game design excellence.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) Skyrim transported players into a vast, open-world landscape filled with lore, dynamic quests, and endless possibilities for exploration. Its freedom of play and moddable framework have not only kept it relevant years after its release but also redefined what players expect from an immersive RPG experience. This is one of the best and most popular of Bethesda.
The Last of Us (2013) The Last of Us set a new bar for narrative-driven games with its tightly woven story, complex characters, and haunting post-apocalyptic imagery. Its ability to evoke strong emotional responses while delivering tense, action-packed gameplay has proved that video games can be vessels of profound, cinematic storytelling. Ubisoft is not only assassin Creed.
Call of Duty (Franchise) The Call of Duty franchise has continuously evolved to influence the realm of first-person shooters. By delivering fast-paced, cinematic experiences that blend traditional military action with modern, multiplayer innovations, it has shaped competitive play, narrative campaigns, and even impacted the structure of esports and online communities. Every year a new Call of Duty game with tons of players, sometime not very popular but still this is the king.
Ultima Online (1997) As one of the pioneering MMORPGs, Ultima Online broke new ground with its player-driven economy, complex social interactions, and a living world that reacted to its inhabitants. It laid much of the foundational behavior seen in today’s online worlds, influencing game design in virtual environments and persistent online communities. Far Far before World of Warcraft.
Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty is often celebrated as the starting title that carved out the real-time strategy (RTS) genre. Its innovative blend of resource management, base building, and unit control transformed gameplay into an intense, strategic battleground where every decision could tip the scales of war. By assigning players the task of harvesting resources, constructing bases, and deploying armies in real time, Dune II set the design framework that most RTS games would follow for decades: Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Command & Conquer, Age of Empires, Company of Heroes and Dawn of War.
Many more games deserve to be in this list (or some doesn ‘t deserve to be in this list), everybody has its favourite game. Tried to list good ones, but definetly i lefted something out, if you want write a comment below if you have in mind some other game.
