- Video Games
- > Specials
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Shenmue
- Platform:
- Sega, 1999
- Debut system:
- Dreamcast
A Karate student seeks to avenge his father’s murder, exploring meticulously realised locations within 1980s Japan, in one of videogames’ greatest achievements. Almost succeeds in crossing the elusive movie/game border.
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Knights of the Old Republic
- Platform:
- Bioware/LucasArts 2003
- Debut system:
- Xbox
Among the myriad action-oriented Star Wars games, this meticulous RPG treatment was a revelation, enabling Star Wars fans to discover how The Force might shape their destiny –good or evil.
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Virtua Cop
- Platform:
- Sega, 1992
- Debut system:
- Arcade
Our shooting skills reached a higher calibre with chances to disarm foes and juggle them in the air with sustained fire. Bonus points rack up the longer you remain unhurt.
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Shinobi
- Platform:
- Sega, 1987
- Debut system:
- Arcade
Rescue hostages using shuriken, katana blade, and magic. It took precision timing and dexterity to avoid danger, scurrying around leaping between background and foreground. One hit and you’re dead though!
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Tempest 2000
- Platform:
- Atari, 1994
- Debut system:
- Atari Jaguar
Reasons to own a Jaguar were scarce, but this psychedelic revamp of a forgotten Atari coin-op made it essential all by itself. All thanks to hippy game guru Jeff Minter.
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Wipeout
- Platform:
- Psygnosis, 1995
- Debut system:
- PlayStation
Defined PlayStation in Europe: visually slick thanks to The Designers Republic; ‘choons’ from The Chemical Brothers, Orbital and Leftfield, and an ultra-fast racing experience that was out of this world.
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R-Type
- Platform:
- Irem, 1987
- Debut system:
- Arcade
Giant bosses, an entire stage devoted to battling a gigantic mother ship, and the ‘Force’ – a space yo-yo that attached to the front or back of your R-9 fighter. Legend.
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Outrun
- Platform:
- Sega, 1986
- Debut system:
- Arcade
Drive a Ferrari across America, taking in the sights and taking chances through traffic, wooing the blonde by your side. Choosing your tune for the ride was a neat touch.
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Sensible World of Soccer
- Platform:
- Sensible Software, 1994
- Debut system:
- Commodore Amiga
In addition to its celebrated intuitive and infinitely evolving game play ‘SWOS’ let you play as almost any team in the world, and added a management option, allowing player transfers.
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Tomb Raider
- Platform:
- Core Design, 1996
- Debut system:
- Saturn
Like Star Wars: Episode IV, the original was a standalone classic – the sequels have been rather hit and miss. Most associate Lara with PlayStation, but she debuted on Sega’s console.