Best games
150 Best Games of All Time From Computer Gaming World's November 1996 Anniversary Edition 1. Sid Meier's Civilization - Microprose, 1993 2. Ultima IV - Origin, 1984 3. Mule - EA, 1983 4. Red Baron - Sierra, 1990 5. Doom - id Software, 1993 6. Sim City - Maxis, 1987 7. Wing Commander - Origin, 1990 8. Empire - Interstel, 1978 9. Wasteland - Interplay, 1987 10. Falcon 3.0 - Spectrum HoloByte, 1991 11. FPS Football 1995 - Sierra, 1994 12. Lemmings - Psygnosis, 1991 13. Zork - Infocom, 1981 14. Tetris - Spectrum Holobyte, 1988 15. Panzer General - SSI, 1994 16. Wizardry - Sir-Tech, 1981 17. Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within - Sierra, 1996 18. Sid Meier's Pirates! - MicroProse, 1987 19. Secret of Monkey Island - LucasArts, 1989 20. Archon - EA, 1984 21. Their Finest Hour - LucasArts, 1990 22. X-COM - MPS, 1994 23. Might & Magic - New World, 1986 24. Raid on Bungeling Bay - Broderbund, 1984 25. Earl Weaver Baseball - EA, 1986 26. Links 386 - Access, 1992 27. MechWarrior 2 - Activision, 1995 28. Warcraft II - Blizzard, 1995 29. Star Control 2 - Accolade, 1994 30. Populous - Bullfrog, 1988 31. NASCAR Racing - Papyrus, 1994 32. M-1 Tank Platoon - MPS, 1989 33. Master of Orion - Simtex/MPS, 1993 34. Day of the Tentacle - LucasArts, 1993 35. Chuck Yeager's Air Combat - EA, 1989 36. Quake - id, 1996 37. Duke Nukem 3D - Apogee, 1996 38. Crusader: No Remorse - Origin, 1995 39. Red Storm Rising - Microprose, 1989 40. Harpoon - 360 Pacific, 1989 41. Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon - MPS, 1990 42. Hitchhiker's Guide - Infocom, 1985 43. Betrayal at Krondor - Dynamix, 1993 44. Ultima VI - Origin, 1990 45. Rocket Ranger - Cinemaware, 1988 46. Chessmaster - Software Toolworks, 1986 47. Aces of the Pacific - Dynamix, 1992 48. Command & Conquer - Westwood, 1995 49. Dungeon Master - FTL, 1987 50. Pinball Construction Set - EA, 1983 51. Reach for the Stars - SSG, 1984 52. F-19 Stealth Fighter - MicroProse, 1988 53. Steel Panthers - SSI, 1995 54. Wing Commander III - Origin, 1994 55. Starflight - Electronic Arts, 1986 56. TIE Fighter - LucasArts, 1994 57. NBA Live - EA Sports, 1994 58. Suspended - Infocom, 1983 59. Gettysburg - SSI, 1986 60. EF2000 - Digital Integration, 1995 61. Seven Cities of Gold - EA, 1983 62. Incredible Machine - Sierra, 1993 63. Faery Tale Adventure - MicroIllusions, XX 64. Marathon - Bungee, 1994 65. Wings - Cinemaware, 1991 66. World Circuit - MicroProse, 1992 67. Syndicate - Bullfrog, 1993 68. Ultima Underworld - Origin, 1992 69. Leisure Suit Larry - Sierra, 1988 70. Dune 2 - Westwood, 1992 71. Aces of the Deep - Dynamix, 1994 72. Solitaire's Journey - QQP, 1992 73. Quest for Glory - Sierra, 1987 74. Secret of Monkey Island II - LucasArts, 1990 75. You Don't Know Jack - Berkeley Systems, 1995 76. Shadow of the Beast - Psygnosis, 1989 77. Warlords II - SSG, 1993 78. Balance of Power - Mindscape, 1983 79. Flight Simulator II - SubLogic, 1984 80. Lode Runner - Broderbund, 1983 81. Loom - LucasArts, 1982 82. Rescue at Fractalus - Epyx, 1987 83. Rise of the Dragon - Dynamix,1990 84. Prince of Persia - Broderbund, 1990 85. Robot War - Muse, 1981 86. Silent Service - MicroProse, 1985 87. F/A-18 Interceptor - EA, 1987 88. Alone in the Dark - I-Motion, 1992 89. Bard's Tale - EA, 1985 90. Carriers at War - SSG, 1992 91. Battles of Napoleon - SSI, 1985 92. Defender of the Crown - Cinemaware, 1986 93. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis - LucasArts, 1993 94. King's Quest V - Sierra, 1990 95. Sam & Max Hit the Road - LucasArts, 1993 96. Star Trek: Judgement Rites - Interplay, 1994 97. Wolfenstein 3-D - Apogee, 1992 98. System Shock - Origin, 1994 99. Under a Killing Moon - Access, 1993 100. AH-64D Longbow - Jane's, 1996 101. Kampfgruppe - SSI, 1985 102. Gunship - MPS, 1989 103. Eric the Unready - Interplay, 1992 104. Deadline - Infocom, 1982 105. Crusaders of the Dark Savant - Sir-Tech, 1987 106. Battle Chess - Interplay, 1988 107. Perfect General - QQP, 1989 108. Neuromancer - Interplay, 1988 109. Pacific War - SSI, 1992 110. Operation Crusader - AH/Atomic, 1994 111. Wayne Gretzky Hockey - Bethesda, 1989 112. TV Sports: Football - Cinemaware, 1987 113. Monopoly - Virgin/Hasbro, 1995 114. Jagged Alliance - Sir-Tech, 1995 115. BattleGround: Waterloo - Talonsoft, 1996 116. Castle Wolfenstein - Muse, 1981 117. Beach Head - Access, 1983 118. Fighter Duel Pro 2 - Jaeger Software, 1993 119. Pinball Dreams - 21st Century Entertainment, 1990 120. Trinity - Infocom, 1986 121. Virtua Fighter PC - Sega, 1996 122. Indianapolis 500 - EA, 1989 123. Descent II - Interplay, 1996 124. Deathtrack - Activision, 1989 125. Warcraft - Blizzard, 1994 126. War in Russia - SSI, 1984 127. Star Control - Accolade, 1992 128. Tony LaRussa 3 - Stormfront, 1995 129. MiG Alley Ace - MicroProse, 1984 130. Ogre - Origin, 1986 131. President Elect - SSI, 1981 132. Lexi-Cross - Interplay, 1991 133. Heroes of Might & Magic - New World, 1995 134. I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream - Cyberdreams, 1995 135. NukeWar - Avalon Hill, 1983 136. Dark Castle - Silicon Beach, 1986 137. Magic Carpet - Bullfrog/EA, 1994 138. ArcticFox - EA, 1986 139. Mean Streets - Access, 1989 140. Crystal Caliburn - Starplay, 1993 141. Master of Magic - MPS, 1994 142. Blue Max - Synapse, 1983 143. Typhoon of Steel - SSI, 1987 144. Ultima III - Origin, 1983 145. Kasparov's Gambit - EA, 1993 146. Shangai - Activision, 1986 147. Sword of Fargoal - Epyx, 1992 148. Tigers on the Prowl - HPS, 1994 149. Courtside College Basketball - Haffner, 1984 150. StarFleet I - Interstel, 1985While some games might be equally addictive, none have sustained quite the level of rich, satisfying gameplay quite like Sid Meier's magnum opus. The blend of exploration, economics, conquest and diplomacy is augmented by the quintessential research and developemnt model, as you struggle to erect the Pyramids, discover gunpowder, and launch a colonization spacecraft to Alpha Centauri. For its day, Civ had the toughest computer opponents around - even taking into account the "cheats," that in most instances added rather than detracted from the game. Just when you think the game might bog down, you discover a new land, a new technology, another tough foe - and you tell yourself, "just one more game," even as the first rays of the new sun creep into your room...the most accute case of game-lock we've ever felt.
While Falcon 3.0 (see below) may be the most impressive from a technical standpoint, there is little question that Red Baron is the better game. Damon Slye honed his craft while designing action hits like Stellar 7 and Skyfox, but with pure flight sims, he found his metier. With all the realistic options turned on, Red Baron is a bear to fly; it's all you can do to keep the fragile wings from tearing off. Rotary aircraft snap to the right, machine guns jam at the worst time - just exactly how you would expect these rickety constructions of wood and fabric to behave. When you toss in the interesting missions and wonderful campaigns, it's hard to imagine a better flight experience. A tribute to the design is that despite its dated VGA graphics, it is still selling. If Red Baron II is anywhere near as good, flight sim fans will have ample reason to rejoice.
Simply the best action game of all time. Even though DOOM wasn't true 3D, it transformed the way everyone thought about the PC as a fast gaming machine. If you want to see us phapsodize some more, check out this month's Hall of Fame.
The ultimate in software toys almost never got published. Supposedly, there just wasn't "enough game," a description belied by the dynamic city construction involved. After you built your city from scratch, you had to run it, and the continued success comes not so much from the mechanics, but from tapping into the sheer joy of discovery. Challenging on many levels, it evaluates your performance even as you enjoy it. It's hard to ask much more than that from any game.
A fascinating science fiction story set in a post-nuclear world of disintegrating technology, dysfunctional society and mutant organisms, Wasteland was the first game many of us played where the other members of the player's adventuring party acted like "real" people instead of inventory cabinets with names and automatons with skill sets. Ask the party to divvy up the cash and one or more might refuse. Try to get a party member to cough up his/her last clip of ammo? No way!
Falcon 3.0 was the first jet simulation to offer a truly realistic flight model, but it didn't stop there. It also introduced the useful (and necessary) wingmen and the first truly dynamic flight sim campaign. Moreover, Falcon 3.0 was also one of the first games to support multiplayer network play. The fact that the game is still in the shelves more than five years after its initial release is testament to its quality and advanced design.
The cries of "Oh no!" as you'd sacrifice a Lemming in an effort to save its brethren proved that the death of little animals had never been so cute. This diabolical puzzle game starts with simple challenges and works you steadily towards ultra-challenging conundrums that require split-second timing with the mouse. In its initial release, the PC version was a poor imitation of its Amiga predecessor, but the Win 95 update included with Lemmings Paintball should be snatched up by all who missed this classic.
It all started with a little letter in a mailbox outside a small white house. From here began a magic journey into the land of Frobozz. This seminal Infocom text adventure combined challenging puzzles, wonderful descriptive prose, and a touch of humor to create a rich universe that existed not in SVGA graphics, but within your head. A far different tone than the campy Return to Zork or the dark Zork Nemesis made this a universe many early gamers would spend all their non-school hours glued to until it was fully explored.
This insidious little puzzle game may have been the Soviet Union's last-ditch attempt at destroying American productivity. If personal computers had been more commonplace in 1988, it darned well might have succeeded. The seemingly simple task of matching falling blocks would become an obsession, to the point that many gamers would find themselves rotating Tetris blocks in their dreams.
Most of us that play wargames began for a variety of reasons, but chief among them was that we wanted to be Patton, or Lee, or Rommel for a day. Panzer General lets you do just that, in a series of tough scenarios and exciting campaigns. PG isn't for everybody, since every time realism and fun clash, the latter wins out. But what the game lacks in historical insights, it more than makes up for in variety: the amphibious invasion of Norway; the airborne assault on Crete; the sweeping armored battles of Kursk and North Africa. Panzer General made more realistic games like Steel Panthers possible, because it made wargames fun - and marketable - again.
A hauting tale from Jane Jensen, the interactive Ann Rice, which successfully blended the psychological and supernatural, an adventure game interface and full motion video.
The Amiga version of this hybrid game of exploration, combat and role-playing was by far the best, with smooth ship combat and fast-action sworldplay.
Who could ever forget the insult-driven duel system or the identity of the mysterious Swordmaster?
The best tactical system for squad-based combat combines with an excellent R&D model and pop culture about aliens and UFOs for an incredibly addictive strategy experience.
When a "386" golf game is still selling to Pentium Pro owners, you know it's good.
The atmosphere and background story made this giant robot game an amazingly immersive experience.
Doesn't reach all of its lofty goals, but it's fast, furious and compelling - what Interplay's Tolkien games should have been.
StarControl 2 was a fast-paced space game with a stunning blend of adventure, action, and humor.
Its fast action on the track introduced computer gaming to a whole new market.
Steve Barcia leaped to the stage with this Sid Meier's Civilization meets Reach for the Stars game of space conquest.
DOTT completely blew away its ancestor, Maniac Mansion, with its smooth animated sequences, nifty plot and great voiceovers.
Three eras of air combat came together in this flight sim classic. For the Korean War, this is the only flight sim which has addressed it.
The ultimate implementation of the deathmatch, Quake also creates the spookiest atmosphere ever presented in an action game.
A close match for Quake, with any deficiencies in its 3D engine made up for by its bizarre, and sometimes earthy, humor.
In an industry dominated by Doom-clones, this shows that the view action game has a lot of very visceral appeal left.
Sid's fascination with railroading begat a combination of SimCity, 1830 and the ultimate model railroad that will be a strategy game icon for years to come.
The universe of Raymond E. Feist came to brilliant life in this 3D, first-person perspective role-playing game.
The best of a competitive pawn-pushing lot, Chessmaster stays ahead of the competition with AI opponents based on real-life Grandmasters.
Corsairs came alive in this WWII sim that set new standards for graphics and performance.
Not quite as complete a design as Warcraft II, this still set a new standard for great multiplayer play combined with a good back story told through top-notch cinematics.
Gary Grigsby's superb implementation of tactical combat in WWII was the culmination of such successes as Kampfgruppe, Panzer Strike and Typhoon of Steel.
Thrilling space action in the first successful interactive movie. The beginning of a new breed?
A far better simulation of the Star Wars universe than X-Wing, winning in this space combat game relied more on flying skills than puzzle-solving.
Controlling remote robots gave this SF text adventure a unique flavor.
Graphics, sound, and realism took a flying leap forward in this combat sim.
This Rube Goldberg-style puzzle game was fresh in concept and long on gameplay.
With the 3D look that paved the way for other point-of-view games, the Looking Glass design team immersed gamers in a more intense Britannia.
Lowe's Larry's lascivious, lecherous life was launched in this remake of lewd text game, Softporn.
Command & Conquer's predecessor used the universe of Dune as the environment for a fabulously engaging real-time strategy game.
This U-boat simulator is still unrivaled for creating an authentic atmosphere.
Whoever heard of combat in a Sierra adventure? Attributes? Skills? Corey and Lori Cole made it work in the hybrid adventure/role-playing game.
LeChuck was back and managed to provide the unhappily ever after for a washed-up pirate hunter named Guybrush.
This irreverent cyber game-show will glue the most computer-phobic to the screen.
Loom featured one of the most beautiful scores ever to grace an adventure game and a musical staff interface that was most original.
An acrobatic platformer with amazingly fuid action, Prince of Persia let you become the legenday Thief of Baghdad.
Following on the heels of Out of this World, Alone in the Dark showed that 3D action needn't get in the way of a tense, exciting story.
With three-point monster animations, 3D maze window and new character classes, Michael Cranford's story started the successful trilogy.
Three games in one, Hal Barwwod's Indy adventure let the gamer regulate the way it was to played without losing its impact as a story-based game.
With King's Quest V, Roberta Williams horrified Sierra tradionalists by getting the parser out of the way of some of the most beautiful graphics ever.
The adventure game that redefined "wacky" as Steve Purcell's crazy animal detectives visit alligator farm miniature golf courses and freak shows.
This hybrid action/adventure/RPG didn't get the credit it deserved for its tight cyberpunk plot, believable characters, and SHADAN, an excellent villain.
Campy humor combined with amazing 3D scenery in this futuristic film noir.
The first helicopter sim to match its fixed-wing counterparts for realistic play.
Full of puns, punchlines and personality, Eric the Unready was not only one of the funniest games of all time, but Bob Bates' masterpiece.
Deadline was a tough text adventure that placed you in the midst of an intricate police procedural and let you wander around a mansion.
Star Wars' Chewbacca would have felt right at home with this chess game enhanced by funny, elaborate animated sequences and spectacular special effects.
As in Empire, Mark Baldwin (with new partner Bob Rakowsky) took a proven design (Bruce Williams Zaccagnino's table-top strategy game) and made it better.
Arguably the most ambitious wargame design in history, Gary Grigsby's magnum opus lets you refight the campaigns in the Pacific on a day-by-day basis.
Based on the quintessential family boardgame, this Internet-capable version of Monopoly offered more than we ever expected in a computer version.
The grand age of warfare comes to life with colorful uniforms, delightful landscapes, and above-average opponent AI in this recent release.
Smooth scrolling and great ball physics made this Amiga game a wizard's choice.
Brian Moriarty's text adventure based on the Manhattan Project was a tense, ethical tightrope walk through the Cold War.
The best of the horizontal-scrolling fighting games, this title succedds on a platfor for which it was not designed.
The nascent Papyrus redefined the racing sim on the PC and Amiga with this game that allowed you to go backwards on the Indianapolis "Brickyard" for the first time.
Builds on the promise of the original with better 3D effects and enemy AI.
A spirited real-time rendition of the age-old conflict between Orcs and Humans, with an especially elegant network setup routine.
Gary Grigsby's strategic level game of combat on WWII's eastern front was the first "monster game" on the computer that came close to SPI's huge boxed sets.
Space War enters the 90s with a touch of humor.
This award-winning remake of The King's Bounty is a brilliantly balanced game of fantasy combat the quickly becomed addictive.
Harlan Ellison's dark, despairing story makes a smooth transition to dark, despairing adventure game.
Darned weird rules were offset by a rich, 3D world to explore and conquer.
Not as many tables as we'd like, but it looks and sounds like real pinball. The multiball action leaves Tristan in the dust.
Once patched, this fantastic strategy game was almost a Sid Meier's Civilization/Magic: The Gathering hybrid.
Not up to the standard set by Chessmaster, but this was the first to effectively use multimedia in illuminating the mysteries of chess. Strong AI didn't hurt, either.
This mah-jongg style game not only transfixed puzzle games of both sexes during the '80s, but even has version on dedicated word processors in the Far East.
