Audiences are still dissecting the results of 2022’s Game Awards, and with the confirmation that 2023 will host the event once more, there are plenty of titles already making a good case to be the Game Of The Year. However, the awards themselves were only founded in 2014, meaning numerous older releases never got their chance to win big.
The 90s featured some truly astonishing titles, with the decade becoming a major turning point in video game history. Had the Game Awards existed, their monumental releases surely would have been given the nod for the Game Of The Year Award, or at the very least have garnered a nomination.
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
Considered to be one of the best video games from the James Bond franchise, GoldenEye 007 is often credited for its fantastic multiplayer option, which sees gamers pitted against one another in all-out action warfare. However, the campaign of the title also shouldn’t be overlooked.
Developed by Rare and Ultimate Play the Game, this first-person shooter also relied upon unique stealth mechanics to blend its spy-based premise with all the conflict gamers would expect from a Bond outing. It’s fast-paced, and memorable and is still an all-time favorite, making this Nintendo 64 classic worthy of an award. It’s now available on Nintendo Switch, Wii, and Xbox One.
Super Mario 64 (1996)
Super Mario 64 demonstrated exactly what the protagonist’s franchise could achieve. It was vibrant, full of life, and completely whimsical in its storytelling. Each Super Mario title since has copied from this initial release from Nintendo, which won numerous awards at the time of its release.
While there are a few harsh realities to be discovered once replaying the title, there is still something very timeless about the Mario hit that cemented the legacy of the series and the kinds of 3D mechanics that fans would see in the future. It launched on Nintendo 64 and iQue Player and is now available on the Nintendo Switch, Wii, and Wii U.
Pokémon Blue, Red & Yellow (1996)
The Pokémon saga has enjoyed its fair share of ups and downs, with Nintendo and Game Freak consistently looking for ways to evolve this beloved franchise. However, it all began in 1996 with the release of Blue, Red & Yellow, the first installment of what was to become a world-renowned hit series.
For the impact on gaming history alone, these releases should have earned some kind of Game Of The Year Award, but what shouldn’t be forgotten is the impact of this RPG at the time. With secret locations to explore, a Pokédex to fill, and a unique battle system, it’s no surprise that audiences were mesmerized by the Game Boy title. It was since released on Game Boy Advanced and the 3DS.
Grim Fandango (1998)
The 90s were largely defined by RPGs and first-person shooters, two genres that put players in the center of the action and force them to make quick decisions. Grim Fandango took an alternative approach to this trend, with the point-and-click adventure still considered to be the height of its genre.
Developed by Lucasfilm Games, this certainly would have been an outside-the-box and quirky choice as a Game Of The Year Award winner, yet its beautiful premise, Day of the Dead aesthetic, and puzzle-solving mechanics continue to make this a must-play on everything from the PlayStation Vita, to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Half-Life (1998)
There are very few mainstay gaming series that are immediately catapulted into the stratosphere, from a relatively unknown company on their first project, but Half-Life defied the odds to such an extent that it would seem criminal to have not won at the Game Awards for its year.
While fans are still disappointed that the third sequel was canceled, Half-Life is an unforgettable classic from Valve, Gearbox Software, and Sierra Entertainment. The spectacle of the puzzle-solving, horror narrative, and gruesome shooting, contributed to a horror and sci-fi combo on Windows and PlayStation 2 that drove the genre.
Star Wars: Dark Forces (1995)
Lucasfilm Games and indeed LucasArts forged a legacy that very few studios could rival from their time in the industry. While audiences are sure to welcome the gaming division’s return, Star Wars: Dark Forces, certainly serve as a reminder of what they can truly produce.
With a completely original narrative that bled into the Star Warsexpanded universe, the first-person shooter was a breath of fresh air for the galaxy far, far away, focusing on a hybrid hero that wasn’t as clean-cut as some of the other figures fans had followed. The PlayStation and Microsoft title surely would have won plenty of Game Awards thanks to its new direction and streamlined design.
Sonic The Hedgehog (1991)
Sonic the Hedgehog is a significant figure in gaming culture. It’s difficult to look at the evolution of the industry without a mention of the SEGA character. That’s all down to the success and genius of the original release from SEGA, Sonic Team, M2, Backbone Entertainment, and Ancient.
The character design alone and the world-building of Sonic’s landscape legitimized a franchise that had the legs to continue into the far future, and the mechanics to keep thrilling audiences. Although it was a side-scrolling platformer, somehow this SEGA Genesis project transcended its potential and would have garnered a Game Of The Year Award.
DOOM (1993)
There continues to be a cult classic game that players return to. While there are remakes and sequels, somehow it’s DOOM that continues to entice audiences with its bloody first-person shooter action and alien appeal. Part horror and part science fiction, graphically DOOM might not hold up, but from a gameplay perspective, it excels.
Developed by id Software, GT Interactive, Rage Games, David A. Palmer Productions, and Williams Entertainment Inc. for the SNES, DOOM’s appeal largely stands with its exciting premise which is delivered upon as players embark on an intense mission as a space marine.
Super Mario Kart (1992)
Heading back to the Mario universe, it’s not just Super Mario 64 that influenced the rest of Nintendo’s releases in the 90s. Indeed, the company also developed Super Mario Kart for the SNES alongside BNE Entertainment, with the game quickly becoming the console’s best-selling game because of its widespread appeal.
Although the concept has been improved upon with fun shortcuts, kart customization and a much larger roster, the bare bones of the idea are all very much present in Super Mario Kart, with players loving being able to race against one another as these fan-favorite characters. The Game Awards would have been foolish not to make mention of the game.
Final Fantasy VII (1997)
The Final Fantasy series has highlighted some gorgeous story arcs across its run and Final Fantasy VII is among its best. With many fans arguing that this could be the mountaintop that might never be peaked, graphically, mechanically, and narratively this is a Game Of The Year contender.
Crafted by Square Enix and Sony Interactive Entertainment, the title was released on the PlayStation but has since launched on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch, and even Android, demonstrating its longevity and ability to keep surprising audiences helping to round out an already stuffed list of RPG masterpieces.
