9 Active Game Franchises That Peaked In The 1990s

Hey everyone who grew up in the ’90s! What’s up with all these new video games? Those of us who really know games understand that the best ones came out during the era of grunge music and Beanie Babies. If you’re not familiar with what I mean, just relax. This section of the article is almost over, so don’t get too upset.

I grew up in the 1990s, and my childhood was shaped by video games, especially those on the Nintendo 64. I also played a lot on the NES and SNES before that. Because of this, I have a real fondness for games from that era. However, even without the nostalgia, many ’90s games truly stand the test of time and remain classics.

Let’s take a look back at some of the most popular game franchises from the 1990s that are still going strong today. Though these series continue to release new games, many fans would agree they were at their best back then – even if the newer installments are still enjoyable.

You’ll see a lot of Nintendo games featured, and for good reason. While their current games are still enjoyable, many of their most popular series really hit their peak during the 1990s.

Here’s a look at nine popular franchises that originally gained prominence in the 1990s and are still going strong today. And, you know, a playful nod to a classic catchphrase!

9. Donkey Kong Country

Monkeying Around

Donkey Kong Country is a series of classic side-scrolling platformer games that first became popular in the 1990s. It’s different from 3D Donkey Kong games like DK64 and the upcoming Bananza. Though the series continues with newer games like Tropical Freeze and recent remakes (as of 2024), many fans still consider the original games to be the best.

Man, when I think about classic gaming, the original Donkey Kong Country from ’94 always hits me with a wave of nostalgia. But honestly, most people these days say Diddy Kong’s Quest, the sequel from ’95, was actually the better game. You really can’t go wrong with either one, though – they’re both fantastic!

These games were visually impressive when they first came out, and surprisingly, they’re still enjoyable to play today, even after three decades. Plus, the track “Aquatic Ambience” from the 1994 game is arguably one of the greatest video game songs ever created.

8. Tekken

It To The Streets

To be honest, fighting games aren’t usually my thing. But if I had to choose a series I like, it would be Tekken. The newer games, especially Tekken 8 released in 2024, are really impressive – a score of 90 on MetaCritic speaks for itself.

This series and I both came of age in the ’90s, and many fans still consider parts 2 and 3 to be the best. While the fifth installment has its supporters, I’m giving my vote to the original ’90s games because they’re so memorable and still play incredibly well.

Some might argue this series never truly reached its best, but it’s hard to focus on that when you’re having so much fun playing it!

7. Yoshi

And All His Multicolored Friends

Yoshi’s Island, released in 1995, is a personal favorite of mine. While it’s officially considered part of the Super Mario World series, it really feels like a Yoshi game. You play as Yoshi, and it plays much like later Yoshi titles – let’s be real about that!

Recent Yoshi games like Crafted World and Woolly World are cute and fun, but they don’t quite live up to the original Yoshi’s Island. Lately, Yoshi games seem geared towards very young players, which is perfectly okay – I appreciate Nintendo making games accessible to everyone. However, these newer titles just don’t feel like the Yoshi games I grew up with.

It’s pretty widely accepted that Yoshi’s Island is the best game starring Yoshi, and it’s hard to picture another game surpassing it anytime soon, considering where the series is headed. Let’s not forget Burt the Bashful and his iconic falling pants!

6. Castlevania

One Half Of An Iconic Duo

I know it’s been a long time – almost ten years – since a major Castlevania game came out. But we did recently get a re-release of Haunted Castle, and there are strong rumors suggesting a new game announcement is coming very soon.

Let’s consider this a positive sign and really hope the expected announcement happens soon. It’s pretty clear at this point that fans overwhelmingly consider Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the beloved game from 1997, to be the best in the series.

Even if you didn’t love that particular Castlevania game, the ’90s still offered so many great titles, making it the absolute peak era to be a fan of the series.

5. Street Fighter

Ryu Ready For Some Action?

Street Fighter remains incredibly popular today, with its newest games consistently featured in eSports tournaments worldwide. It’s widely considered the most successful and well-known classic fighting game currently available.

During the 1990s, the fighting game scene was incredibly strong. Street Fighter 2 became a worldwide hit, dominating both arcades and home consoles. Remarkably, the decade also saw the release of Street Fighter 3, which many fans consider to be even better than the original.

No matter your opinion, most people agree that this franchise was at its best in the early to mid-1990s, even though the newer games are still incredibly popular.

4. Kirby

The Cream Of The Puffs

Like many fans feel about Yoshi games, recent Kirby titles from Nintendo aren’t quite as special as the older ones. While not completely simple and aimed only at very young players, they still tend to be fairly easy.

Kirby games have always been pretty accessible, but the ones from the ’90s were surprisingly creative and diverse. I think Kirby’s Adventure on the NES, released in 1993, remains the best traditional platformer in the series, and it’s one of the first games I ever finished playing on my own.

Man, the ’90s were amazing for Kirby games. I’m a huge fan of Kirby’s Dream Course from ’94 – it’s this totally unique mix of Kirby and mini-golf, which sounds crazy but it’s awesome. And then Kirby’s Avalanche in ’95? Basically a really fun Puyo Puyo game with a Kirby skin, and I got totally hooked! Honestly, those three years were the peak for the Kirby series, at least in my opinion – they haven’t really matched that run since.

3. Sonic The Hedgehog

Rolling Around At The Speed Of Soundgarden

I don’t want to be overly critical of Sonic. I actually like the character, but it’s clear his games haven’t been as successful since the 1990s, when he was incredibly popular and everyone loved him. He’s had a string of disappointing releases.

The original Sonic games – released from 1991 to 1994 – were incredibly influential and defined a generation of gamers. This includes the first three Sonic the Hedgehog games, plus Sonic & Knuckles. While many fans consider Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to be the best, it’s hard to go wrong with any of them.

Although recent Sonic games have been pretty good, I don’t believe the series will ever recapture the incredible success it once had. But that’s setting a very high standard, so it’s probably unfair to expect that.

2. Super Mario

The Plumber’s Two Most Beloved Entries

It might be controversial, considering Mario games have consistently been excellent, but I believe the series reached its highest point with either Super Mario World (1990) or Super Mario 64 (1996).

You really can’t go wrong with either choice, as both games have a huge fan base. While I personally enjoyed Super Mario Wonder, many consider Super Mario World to be the best traditional 2D Mario game. It’s a timeless classic that remains incredibly fun to play. What sets it apart is how incredibly full of hidden secrets and unique routes each level is.

I love both Galaxy and Odyssey, but it’s important to remember that neither of those games would exist without the groundbreaking Super Mario 64. It was incredibly well-made and essentially defined 3D platforming for years to come. Even with its occasionally awkward camera, completing all 120 stars in Super Mario 64 feels like a crucial experience for any gamer, and no other 3D Mario game has quite matched it, even the excellent sequels.

1. The Legend Of Zelda

Back When Dungeons Still Existed

It’s a common opinion that The Legend of Zelda was at its best in the ’90s, much like people say about Mario. But honestly, can you name another decade for the Zelda series that delivered such incredible games one after another? Think about it: A Link to the Past, then Link’s Awakening, and then Ocarina of Time – that was an amazing stretch.

For fans of classic 2D Zelda games like A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time remains the best. And for those who prefer 3D Zelda, Ocarina of Time is still considered one of the highest-rated games ever. While Breath of the Wild is amazing and Tears of the Kingdom is good, though I didn’t enjoy all the building, nothing quite captures the impact and lasting impression that Ocarina of Time made – and continues to make.

There are a lot of great Zelda games, but two really stand out above the rest. While often overshadowed, Link’s Awakening is also fantastic, though not quite as amazing as Link to the Past. No matter what Zelda games you enjoy, the 90s were a golden age for the series.

2025-10-23 17:13