All Christmas #1 video games from the Nineteen Nineties – did you personal any of them? | Gaming | Entertainment | EUROtoday

Christmas and video video games go hand in hand, which is why we thought we might make a journey down reminiscence lane and look again at the preferred titles from the Nineteen Nineties within the UK.

There is at all times one online game that dominates the gaming charts each Christmas. If it wasn’t delayed, 2025 would undoubtedly have been the 12 months of Grand Theft Auto 6. Fingers crossed subsequent 12 months we lastly get to revisit Vice City.

In the meantime, Daily Express has gone again to the Nineteen Nineties, a time many think about the ‘golden period of gaming’. These are the titles online game lovers have been unwrapping on the morning of December 25. Do you keep in mind any of the Christmas primary video games from the Nineteen Nineties, and what number of have you ever performed?

1990: Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles

Teenage Mutant Hero Turtlesis a single-player side-scrolling motion platformer that was ever-present below Christmas timber at the beginning of the last decade.

Critics praised the sharp, vibrant graphics, the revolutionary options, and tip-top animation. But it was criticised for its excessive problem, varied design flaws and technical points.

This did not cease players getting it from Santa, nonetheless, with the sport promoting upwards of 4 million copies by the top of 1990.

1991: WWF Wrestlemania

This skilled wrestling simulation was the primary sport for Christmas 1991. It is structured as a sequence of matches the place the last word purpose is to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

It was typically effectively obtained by reviewers who have been a fan of the superb graphics, music and excessive playability for its time.

1992: Sonic The Hedgehog 2

A side-scrolling platformer following Sonic and his new sidekick Tails, as they do their utmost to deliver an finish to Dr Robotnik’s evil plans was the preferred online game of Christmas 1992.

It obtained close to common acclaim with critics praising the quick and addictive gameplay, expansive ranges, and improved visuals. The split-screen multiplayer was bashed for its graphical flickering and slowdown, however who actually cares?

1993: FIFA International Soccer

The first instalment of what would develop into probably the most iconic soccer online game sequence of all time, FIFA International Soccer was a serious hit with soccer followers.

It was seen as a serious leap ahead for sports activities simulations, with reviewers loving the fluid animations, in addition to the practical sound design that made it really feel such as you have been truly on the stadium in real-life.

1994: FIFA Soccer 95

FIFA Soccer 95 was proof that Electronic Arts meant enterprise when it got here to recreating the attractive sport, incomes the primary of many back-to-back Christmas primary spots.

For probably the most half, critics thought-about it a big improve over the unique. The sport mounted a number of the damaged mechanics from the unique, all of the whereas introducing new gameplay options, enhancing the AI, dashing up the motion and sharpening the graphics.

1995: FIFA Soccer 96

There’s a motive why each gamer needed FIFA Soccer 96 for Christmas again in 1995. Widely thought-about to be a landmark entry within the sequence, it was the primary to characteristic actual participant names, to not point out 3D graphics on 32-bit consoles.

Reviews have been combined relying on the platforms, which supplied very totally different experiences. Positive feedback have been reserved for the graphics, menus, and deep customisation choices.

1996: FIFA 97

There’s fairly the theme right here, is not there? Once once more FIFA dominated the house below Christmas timber, with players in 1996 determined for the newest instalment of the franchise.

While the 3D graphics have been praised by reviewers, the engine was extensively criticised for being sluggish and unresponsive. The AI was seen as flawed and irritating.

1997: FIFA: Road to the World Cup 98

Yes, one other FIFA sport, however this one was thought-about probably the most vital and feature-rich entries within the historical past of the sequence.

It was celebrated for its unprecedented depth and Road to the World Cup mode, with critics describing it as a serious return to type. The AI was higher, graphics have been smoother, whereas the commentary was dynamic, immersive and insightful.

1998: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Arguably the perfect and most deserving entry within the checklist, the title that marked Zelda’s transition from 2D to 3D dominated players’ lists to Santa in Christmas 1998 — and it is clear to see why.

It follows younger hero Link, who’s making an attempt to cease the evil King of Thieves Ganondorf from buying the Triforce. Fans and critics completely fell in love with the sport, which is why it is at the moment the highest-rated sport ever on Metacritic with a 99% general rating.

The sport gained quite a few Game of the Year awards, together with the Grand Prize at 1998 Japan Media Arts Festival and a number of honors on the BAFTAs and the Interactive Achievement Awards.

You can expertise the sport anew with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which supplies members the prospect to play N64 classics on the Switch and Switch 2.

1999: Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

Last however not least is Lara Croft’s thrilling Egyptian journey which was needed by gaming followers right here, there and all over the place in Christmas 1999.

Everyone’s favorite hero by chance releases the Egyptian God Set after discovering his historical tomb. This results in a race throughout Egypt to gather varied trinkets in an try to seize Set earlier than he destroys humanity.

It garnered largely constructive critiques, on the time, with critics impressed by the 3D graphics, smoother character fashions, and extra refined, logic-based puzzles.