1998 just like with 1997 is full of unforgettable classics of the video gaming industry filled with awesome new titles and sequels that were a step above the originals in many ways possible. We could talk about why 1998 was one of the best years in gaming but I am here to celebrate 20 years of one of the most memorable years of gaming with a Top Ten list that lists the best of the best. However cause there are many awesome games released in 1998 I do have to set some rules, first up games that got European releases in 1998 count which means as much I am going to regret this, Metal Gear Solid won't be on this list cause we in Europe didn't get it till 1999, plus as usual one game per franchise. Which of the best games of 1998 made the list. Let's find out and see.
10: Banjo-Kazooie
Platform: Nintendo 64
Developer: Rare
Banjo-Kazooie is one of Rare's popular games that made it's debut on the Nintendo 64 platform and one of the examples of Rare releasing some truly outstanding titles. In the game Banjo alongside his bird side kick Kazooie have to save Banjo's sister from Grantilda the Evil Witch. Banjo-Kazookie. The game was an outstanding platforming classic for it's non-linear level design, excellent platforming controls, enjoyable puzzles, fantastic artstyle and brilliant humour as well. Anybody who earned a Nintendo 64 enjoyed a lot of the game's charm and execution which still makes it worth owning to this day.
9: Unreal
Platform: PC
Developer: Epic Games
PC gamers truly got some impressive new ideas and new IPs and game engine that wanted to push what the PCs where capable of. Epic Games now known for Gears of War created the Unreal franchise and the Unreal Engine at it's first glance was a spectacular work of art. It had challenging fights with very dynamic enemy AI that reacts to the player and also enjoyable weapons like the overpowered Flak Cannon which shreds enemies to pieces, challenging level design and an excellent soundtrack and entertaining bot matches. Unreal's brilliance would later be followed with the excellent Unreal Tournament.
8: Baldur's Gate
Platform: PC
Developer: Bioware/Black Isle Studios
As consoles are get some real RPG love PCs still got some amazing computer Role Playing of it's own. Before Mass Effect Bioware was involved with Baldur's Gate which was an undisputed masterpiece. It was well praised for the large ammount of customization options available for the player. Amazingly rendered backgrounds, fantastic storyline and characters and large amount of re-playability. A true masterpiece for RPG and AD&D fantics.
7: Grim Fandango
Platform: PC
Developer: Lucasarts
It may have come as a commercial failure but however Grim Fandango is often seen as a cult classic and also labelled as one of the best games of all time. The game had a fantastic storyline and an amazing art style which fits the game's atmosphere a lot. It's puzzles where also really great as well which was important for adventure games. The game's character designs where incredible where each character was a calaca-like figure.
6: Thief The Dark Project
Platform: PC
Developer: Looking Glass Studios
1998 was also a year for the Stealth Genre to come and sneak it's way into the tops of gaming industry. Stealth focused action games relayed on sneaking through areas and avoid being seen by guards rather then simply killing everything that moved. Thief The Dark Project had a medieval steampunk setting to it which was cool and the gameplay involved staying out of sight of the enemy and using the light and sound which combined with the complex AI made for a very incredible gaming experience.
5: Resident Evil 2
Platform: PSOne
Developer: Capcom
Resident Evil 2 tops the original and in fact the entire series in every single way. Raccoon City was a terrifying place to be full of zombies, lickers and other fast and creepy monsters that were out for Leon and Claire. The gameplay was tense as it focused on survival rather then going all out guns blazing cause once you are out of ammo it's over and when you got dozens of zombies after you, you might want to think carefully about how you handle each encounter. Resident Evil is still the best in the series by fans even after later instalments and also the announced Remastered which is coming out soon.
4: Pokemon Red & Blue
Platform: GB
Developer: Gamefreak/Nintendo
Road trips where entertaining when everyone had Gameboys to take with them, this year was the release of Nintendo's most popular series that took the world by storm and that was Pokemon. Pokemon Red & Blue had incredible turn based battles with 150 Pokemon to catch, trade and collect. The gameplay was additive and still enjoyable to play and it's still engaging to go through all those Gym battles again and again.
3: Tekken 3
Platform: PSOne
Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Arcades lit up on fire when the era of one-on-one fighting games submerged and while Capcom continues to release one amazing fighting game after the next Namco released Tekken as one of the best arcade fighting game champions and the best of all time came with the third instalment which later made it's way to the PlayStation. The PlayStation version is superior to the arcade original in everything possible, new characters like Bryan Fury and the small dinosaur with the wind Gon, extra modes like Tekken Force Mode which takes the fighting game franchise to a side scrolling beat em up and Tekken Ball Mode which has fighters hitting the ball to deal massive damage to each other. Tekken's combat system was well refined and improved from previous instalments and is still one of the top in the fighting game genre with sweet attacks like combos, throws and juggles which all required skill and timing. Tekken 3 is still looked at as one of the best of the PSOne library and still is earns high praise and awards as one of the best games of all time lists and has been begging to be put on the PlayStation Network Store for a long time.
2: Half Life
Platform: PC
Developer: Valve
As First Person Shooters focused on all out shooting, Half Life instead wanted to create a very immersive world for the player to explore rather then a all out shooting gallery. Half Life focused on story through the character's perspective and it was amazing for it's time. Half Life's shooting mixed with clever puzzles were genius and the design of each area was incredible. You didn't just shoot down what ever was in your way, you can break down boxes or use them to reach high areas, use other Black Mesa personal to get you past security doors and so on and each of them are really good. Fighting enemies showed off some great AI intelligence as well. Half Life was highly praised for the gameplay which still holds up well as being one of the best FPS classics sitting alongside Doom. The game was so successful that it had 50 PC Game Of The Year Awards and led to dozens of mods that are still being made to this day.
Honourable Mentions
Point Blank (PSOne)
Tomb Raider III (PSOne)
F-Zero X (N64)
Gran Turismo (PSOne)
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (PC)
Oddworld Ape's Exodus (PSOne)
Spyro The Dragon (PSOne)
Crash Bandicoot 3 (PSOne)
Turok 2 Seeds of Evil (Nintendo 64)
1: The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
Platform: Nintendo 64
Developer: Nintendo
We already knew that this was coming and that this was going to be the top of the list and it belongs on this list for a dozen of reasons. Nintendo's legendary Zelda franchise is among the best in all of gaming but with Ocarina of Time the series made one of the best jumps to the third dimension with incredible results. Ocarina of Time had a brilliant storyline full of twists and turns, outstanding presentation and a incredible soundtrack which is still some of the most memorable soundtracks of all time. The game had some challenging and very rewarding dungeons with really incredible puzzles to figure out from using different items and tools to reach other parts of the game that you couldn't before. It had enjoyable minigames which were also fun diversions and different side tasks which helped extended the time of the game. There also other incredible features which would soon become standards like lock on combat and riding on the horse Epona which were incredible even by today's standards. Bosses were incredibly challenging as well and required timing and patience to overcome them. Zelda Ocarina of Time is often looked back dozens of times and plenty of gameplay elements still hold up well and has aged brilliantly. It's still an instant classic and it is my pick for not only the best game of 1998 but it's also one of the best games of all time.
Do you agree with this list? What other classics of 1998 do you have fond memories of?
Written By Anthony Hayball (AQWBlaZer91)
If you enjoy what I do on this channel then please subscribe to see more.
Log in to comment