Video games have been around for a long time. It's hard to believe that since video games first started working their way to the mainstream in the 1970s that it's been half a century since some of the very first and memorable games were made.
Even then, as games have advanced in both popularity and technology, some of the fan favourites of millennials who grew up in the 90s are now starting to get old. Some iconic games are turning ten, but some games you wouldn't believe are turning old enough to have a quarter-life crisis. These are the games that are turning 25.
10 Banjo-Kazooie
When Banjo-Kazooie hit the scene it quickly became one of the most lauded and popular games of the Nintendo 64. It's even still remembered today for its colourful art style, its great level design, and the lovable characters of Banjo and Kazooie, that the game's named after.
Although the series hasn't moved forward much when it comes to modern games, it's still fond time to put on the nostalgia goggles and remember just how fun this impactful collect-a-thon was.
9 Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil did far from bad when it came out, but it feels as if the series really came into its own with its direct sequel, Resident Evil 2. After receiving a remake, it seems that fans have just been looking back to how amazing this game was, introducing the iconic Leon Kennedy, and loved Claire Redfield.
It's staggering that in its twenty-fifth year, this game is still loved so fondly and clearly shows how much of an impact it's made, given that it has a beloved remake and everyone continues to love the characters it spawned.
8 StarCraft
When it comes to impactful sci-fi games, nobody can deny mentioning StarCraft. The real-time strategy game from Blizzard Entertainment spawned a franchise that still has a dedicated fanbase.
The game was first released on the Nintendo 64 and since then has had both a sequel and a remaster. Even if it's twenty-five years later, fans still keep the series alive and hope for a third game to be on the way.
7 Pokemon Yellow
First, there was red, then blue, and then came yellow. As the first game in the series to be the third Pokemon entry in a generation, Pokemon Yellow clearly made a staple in the series. This title was a combination of the first set (your Emerald to your Ruby and Sapphire or Crystal to your Gold and Silver), and proved its worth.
Not only does it feature the cute Pikachu starter, but it's the game that resembles the anime the most, meaning kids who loved watching Ash and his adventures got to feel like they were in the cartoon themselves. Pokemon is, of course, still going strong even decades later.
6 Metal Gear Solid
It's hard to imagine a game that was as unique as Metal Gear Solid at the time. Hideo Kojima became a known name in the gaming world because of the Metal Gear series and from its great environmental design and stealth mechanics, the game helped bring a levity and maturity to games that was sometimes missing.
The game spawned a bestselling and critically acclaimed series that has seen numerous beloved entries that have all made their mark on the gaming landscape.
5 Half-Life
Though it's not as popular as Half-Life 2, Half-Life was still a ground-breaking achievement in what video games could do. Valve has always been known to push the mark when it comes to innovation.
From its leaps and bounds when it comes to interactivity to its captivating story, there's a reason that Half-Life is known as an instant classic and is still remembered all these years later.
4 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
If you've ever played video games, if you've ever even hung out around people who played video games, then you'll know about The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. Touted as one of the best games of all time, this entry is still a fan favourite in the Zelda series, even after many games have come out since its release.
The game let players properly explore the land of Hyrule for the first time, wrapped its action-packed gameplay in high fantasy, and kept players talking about its wildest moments, from Ganondorf's defeat to that dreaded water temple since 1998.
3 Marvel Vs. Capcom
Although Marvel is known for the multiverse now, nobody would have expected a collaboration between Marvel superheroes and Capcom characters in Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Superheroes. From its epic cast to its gorgeously colourful visuals, this game was enjoyed in arcades and on home consoles alike.
Now that it's been twenty-five years, perhaps fans can expect to see a Marvel Vs Capcom crossover on the big screen, though that might be stretching the multiverse a little too far.
2 Parasite Eve
Part of the resurgence in Japanese horror, Parasite Eve is a bizarre experiment that, unlike its antagonist, works out surprisingly well. The horror game sold millions and received positive reviews for its great graphics, replayability, and plot.
It's still fondly remembered as a landmark in the Japanese horror genre of video games and spawned two sequels that wrapped up the series.
1 Spyro The Dragon
It's odd sometimes to look back at a beloved series and realise they're just as old as you or even a little older. Spyro The Dragon fits that description as the first game only came out during the late '90s in 1998.
The game was a critical and commercial success, from the incredible designs of Spyro and his world to the fun and replayable gameplay. There's a reason that Spyro quickly went on to become a series and a mascot for the Playstation, and it's the same reason we're writing about this now. Spyro The Dragon will always be a historic piece of gaming nostalgia.