5 perfect '90s games nobody remembers — but they need a comeback

June 14, 2026 - 05:51

The 1990s were a golden age for video games, a time when developers took wild risks on strange hardware and even stranger ideas. While everyone remembers Mario, Sonic, and Final Fantasy, dozens of brilliant titles have faded into the static of history. These five games, scattered across the NES, Sega Saturn, and other classic consoles, are the ones that truly deserve a modern revival.

First up is "E.V.O.: Search for Eden" for the SNES. This side-scrolling action RPG let you evolve a creature from a fish into a human, spending evolution points on jaws, fins, and legs. It was weird, deep, and surprisingly emotional. Next, the Sega Saturn's "Guardian Heroes" offered a beat-em-up with branching paths and a complex magic system that put "Streets of Rage" to shame. It never got the audience it deserved due to the Saturn's limited reach.

On the NES, "Crystalis" was a top-down Zelda-like with a sci-fi twist and a story that actually changed based on your actions. It was ambitious for its time and still plays well today. Then there is "Mischief Makers" for the Nintendo 64, a frantic 2D platformer where you shook, carried, and threw everything in sight. Its bizarre energy and catchy soundtrack made it a cult classic that never broke through.

Finally, "Panzer Dragoon Saga" on the Saturn remains a holy grail for collectors. It was a rail-shooter turned into a full turn-based RPG, with a haunting world and a dragon that felt alive. These games are not just nostalgia bait. They represent a time when developers were not afraid to be strange. A proper remaster or sequel would be a gift to the players who missed them the first time.