Summary
With the introduction of 3D environments and more fast-paced gameplay, the end of the 20th century was dominated by first-person shooter (FPS) games. They were a change from the longer, more complexRPG games that dominated PCsand consoles in previous eras. Their storylines and gameplay were linear as opposed to complex, and they often included more than one player at a time when co-op and online play were just getting started.
The plot of the FPS game was simple if it existed at all, and the game mechanics were intuitive and consisted of only two or three buttons. This worked well with the graphic capabilities of earlier computers and gaming consoles since the monsters, explosions, and gore weren’t that sophisticated.
Updated August 02, 2025, by Gerardo Molina:While many games from the 1990s are seen as a nice way to glance into the past by younger players, others who were there to play them when they were first released see them as a welcome piece of nostalgia. Many of the games on this list were meant to be played by adults. However, since there wasn’t as much control regarding game ratings as there is today, many players who are now in their late 20s and early 30s likely played them as children.
The 1990s was a decade that saw the rise and fall of many franchises and incredible universes, paving the way for modern reboots like DOOM and DOOM Eternal, to name a few.
The following list is unranked, with entries being displayed in no particular order.
Being the first installment of a trilogy that includesMarathon 2: Durandal, andMarathon Infinity,Marathonpresents players with a real-time world rendered in 3D and based on a first-person point of view.
Assuming the role of an unnamed security officer aboard a massive ship on Mars’ moon Deimos, players will have to fire their weapons at the various enemies coming for them. Heavily inspired byDOOM,Marathontakes players on an outer space adventure that will require their shooting skills to be on point and their reflexes to be quick.
2Outlaws
A Wild West Story About Revenge And Rescuing A Marshall’s Daughter
The story ofOutlawsfocuses on James Anderson, a retired U.S. Marshall who comes home to a horrible tragedy after his wife is killed, and his daughter is kidnapped by none other than the infamous Dr. Death, and Sam Fulton.
With several Wild West elements and an overall aesthetic set in this period,Outlawspresented players with a very fun first-person shooter experience. Although not the first shooting game based on this famous period, this title is a fine addition to that collection and deserves to be played again by anyone who manages to get their hands on a copy.
Players who loved the firstSystem Shockgame were amazed to see how much ofa major improvementthe second game was in every way. Featuring modern controls, unnerving claustrophobia, and engaging gameplay, it’s easy to see why so many people hailSystem Shock 2as one of the greatest video games ever made.
The fact that a player’s build can completely change based on the training they take before the start of the game is pretty impressive and goes a long way in adding a ton of replay value to the game. With a few mods,System Shock 2can be modernized for modern gamers to enjoy this title’s brilliance without any caveats.
4CyberMage: Darklight Awakening
A Groundbreaking Engine And Future Inspiration
The cyberpunk genre is full of dystopian themes, with humans being treated like fodder at times. Such is the case inCyberMage: Darklight Awakening, where the main character is a hybrid human who was experimented upon by the SARCorp corporation. This leads to a magical gem called Darklight being embedded in his forehead. Suffice it to say, the protagonist is less than enthused that his body was used for such inhumane experiments and went on a warpath to get his revenge at all costs.
This unique setting serves as a fresh change of pace from most boomer shooters, letting players experiment with unique weaponry and abilities in a run-and-gun shooter that is a blast to play through. The mix of familiar tropes and fresh ideas inCyberMage: Darklight Awakeningelevates the title’s quality to new heights and makes it one of the most underrated video games of the 90s.
The firstQuaketitle was a huge step in the right direction for arena shooters, and it’s easy to see why players were hyped to the moon and back for the second title. Suffice it to say,Quake 2didn’t disappoint and is hailed by many as one of the greatest FPS titles of all time.
Featuring quick movement, frenetic gameplay, and a wealth of weapons to mess around with, it’s clear to see whyQuake 2has attained such a legendary reputation. Players who want to check out a classic arena shooter that harkens back to the glory days of FPS gaming will find this title to be right up their alley.
There’s some debate among series fans as to which of theUnreal Tournamentgames is better, but there’s a strong argument to be made for the original. More than 20 years on from its original release the game remains incredibly fun to play. It lacks the polish of a modern title, but compared to games likeDoomandWolfenstein, it’s aged gracefully.
With Epic Games currently focusing most of its attention onFortnite,it seems unlikely that the developer will be returning to the Unreal franchise anytime soon.The game’s legacy continuesto live on though, both through its groundbreaking engine and the inspiration it provided to the developers of countless other first-person shooter titles.
7Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Honor Guard
Play As One Of The Iconic Warrior Race
Using the classic lore ofStar Trekwith the relativelynew medium of video gamesturned out to be a winning combination. As the name implies, the setting and time are related to the events of the movieStar Trek: The Next Generationand involves the Klingon plot to assassinate a prominent Klingon leader, Chancellor Gowron.
To reach the target, players have to progress through a variety of levels that include natural environments like caves, deserts, and other different planet surfaces. Gamers can fight using ranged weapons or go old-school Klingon warrior with a Bat’leth blade. They also have to fight their way through fellow Klingons along with other alien races from theStar TrekIP.
8Rebel Moon Rising
An FPS With A Science Fiction Twist
It’s the independent Moon Colony versus the tyranny of the Earth United Nations world government, which continues the story that began in the previous game in this series,Rebel Moon.The stakes are higher this time, with the government of Earth now aligned with a race of malicious aliens.
Rebel Moon Risingcombines real-time strategy elements with the first-person shooter aesthetic. Teams have to find, gather, and defend strategic locations and resources, which also means that some of the weapons used double as high-tech space tools.
9Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2
An FPS That Also Has Lightsaber Fights
An obscure title that fell under the radar as the field got more and more cluttered,Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2is set a year afterReturn of The Jediended. It features the same protagonist as the first game,mercenary Kyle Katarn, as he discovers his own Jedi powers and seeks revenge for his father’s death. It was launched on Steam in 2009 and again in 2015, so more than 20 years later, it still has a decent fanbase.
Not only does the game incorporate some interesting details of theStar Warsexpanded universe, but it also integrates ranged battles with melee fighting. In a game withStar Warslore, that means lightsabers, which is one of the unique details that makes this first-person shooter stand out from the crowd.
The first installment of what would become a successful franchise and inspire many other FPS games,Medal of Honorgot a lot of attention before it was even launched. Stephen Spielberg wasthe main creator and producerof the game, and he was inspired by his interest in WW2 history along with a notable game his son was playing calledGoldenEye.
Medal of Honorwas initially controversial because of the Columbine High School shooting, which also took place in 1999. It was also criticized by the Medal of Honor Society for making a serious, even sacred subject into something as common as a video game. However, it received critical acclaim and eventually turned a handsome profit, the legacy of which continues to the present day.
