Computer Gaming World, Nov 1996 cover
Back in November of 1996, Computer Gaming World published their Anniversary issue which contained the then-definitive list of the 150 Best Games of All Time. Any retro gamer looking for a quality retrogaming experience should play these games! Any list this good is worth repeating, and so, without further ado, here is the list:
- Sid Meier’s Civilization, MicroProse Software, 1991
- Ultima IV by Richard Garriott and Origin Systems, 1985
- M.U.L.E. by Dan Bunten and Ozark Softscape, 1983
- Red Baron by Damon Slye and Dynamix, Inc. (part of Sierra On-Line) 1990
- Doom by John Carmack, John Romero and id Software, 1993
- SimCity by Will Wright and Maxis Software, 1989
- Wing Commander by Chris Roberts and Origin Systems, 1990
- Empire by Walter Bright and Mark Baldwin, 1977
- Wasteland by Interplay Entertainment Productions, 1988
- Falcon 3.0 by Spectrum HoloByte, 1991
- Front Page Sports Football by Sierra On-Line, 1994
- Lemmings by DMA Design, 1991
- Zork I by Marc Blank et al, 1980
- Tetris by Alexey Pajitnov (PC version published by Spectrum HoloByte), 1985
- Panzer General by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1994
- Wizardry by Sir-Tech, 1981
- Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within by Sierra Entertainment, 1995
- Sid Meier’s Pirates! by Microprose Software, Inc., 1987
- Secret of Monkey Island by LucasArts, 1990
- Archon by Electronic Arts, 1983
- Their Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain by LucasArts, 1990
- X-COM by Microprose Software, Inc., 1994
- Might & Magic by New World Computing, Inc., 1986
- Raid on Bungeling Bay by Brøderbund Software, 1984
- Earl Weaver Baseball by Electronic Arts, 1987
- Links 386 by Access Software, 1992
- MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat by Activision, Inc., 1995
- Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness by Blizzard Entertainment, 1995
- Star Control II by Accolade, 1992
- Populous by Bullfrog Productions, 1989
- NASCAR Racing by Papyrus Design Group, Inc., 1994
- M1 Tank Platoon by Microprose Software, Inc., 1989
- Master of Orion by Simtex and Microprose Software, Inc., 1993
- Day of the Tentacle by LucasArts, 1993
- Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat by Electronic Arts, 1991
- Quake by id Software, 1996
- Duke Nukem 3D by Apogee Software, 1996
- Crusader: No Remorse by Origin Systems, 1995
- Red Storm Rising by Microprose Software, Inc., 1988
- Harpoon by 360 Pacific, 1989
- Sid Meier’s Railroad Tycoon by Microprose Software, Inc., 1990
- Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Infocom, 1984
- Betrayal at Krondor by Dynamix, 1993
- Ultima VI by Origin Systems, 1990
- Rocket Ranger by Cinemaware, 1988
- Chessmaster by Software Toolworks, 1986
- Aces of the Pacific by Dynamix, 1992
- Command & Conquer by Westwood, 1995
- Dungeon Master by FTL, 1987
- Pinball Construction Set by Electronic Arts, 1983
- Reach for the Stars by Strategic Studies Group, 1988
- F-19 Stealth Fighter by Microprose Software, Inc., 1988
- Steel Panthers by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1995
- Wing Commander III by Origin Systems, 1994
- Starflight by Electronic Arts, 1986
- Star Wars: TIE Fighter by LucasArts, 1994
- NBA Live by EA Sports, 1994
- Suspended by Infocom, 1983
- Gettysburg by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1986
- EF2000 by Digital Integration, 1995
- The Seven Cities of Gold by Electronic Arts, 1984
- The Incredible Machine by Sierra Entertainment, 1993
- The Faery Tale Adventure by Micro Illusions, 1986
- Marathon by Bungie Software, 1994
- Wings by Cinemaware, 1990
- World Circuit by Microprose Software, Inc., 1992
- Syndicate by Bullfrog Productions, 1993
- Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss by Origin Systems, 1992
- Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards by Sierra Entertainment, 1987
- Dune II by Westwood, 1992
- Aces of the Deep by Dynamix, 1994
- Solitaire’s Journey by QQP, 1992
- Quest for Glory I: So You Want To Be A Hero by Sierra Entertainment, 1989
- Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge by LucasArts, 1991
- You Don’t Know Jack by Berkeley Systems, 1995
- Shadow of the Beast by Psygnosis, 1989
- Solitaire’s Journey by Strategic Studies Group, 1993
- Balance of Power by Mindscape, 1983
- Flight Simulator II by SubLogic, 1984
- Lode Runner by Brøderbund Software, 1983
- Loom by LucasArts, 1992
- Rescue on Fractalus by LucasArts (published by Epyx for the C64/Atari 400), 1985
- Rise of the Dragon by Dynamix, 1990
- Prince of Persia by Brøderbund Software, 1990
- RobotWar by Muse Software, 1981
- Silent Service by Microprose Software, Inc., 1985
- F/A-18 Interceptor by Electronic Arts, 1987
- Alone in the Dark by I-Motion, 1992
- Bard’s Tale by Electronic Arts, 1985
- Carriers at War by Strategic Studies Group, 1992
- Battles of Napoleon by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1985
- Defender of the Crown by Cinemaware, 1986
- Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis by LucasArts, 1993
- King’s Quest V by Sierra Entertainment, 1990
- Sam & Max Hit the Road by LucasArts, 1993
- Star Trek: Judgment Rites by Interplay Entertainment, 1994
- Wolfenstein 3-D by Apogee, 1992
- System Shock by Origin Systems, 1994
- Under a Killing Moon by Access Software, 1993
- AH-64D Longbow by Jane’s Combat Simulations (Electronic Arts), 1996
- Kampfgruppe by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1985
- Gunship by Microprose Software, Inc., 1989
- Eric the Unready by Interplay Entertainment, 1992
- Deadline by Infocom, 1982
- Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant by Sir-Tech, 1987
- Battle Chess by Interplay Entertainment, 1988
- Perfect General by QQP, 1989
- Neuromancer by Interplay Entertainment, 1988
- Pacific War by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1992
- Operation Crusader by Avalon Hill and Atomic Games, 1994
- Wayne Gretzky Hockey by Bethesda Softworks, 1989
- TV Sports: Football by Cinemaware, 1987
- Monopoly by Virgin and Hasbro, 1995
- Jagged Alliance by Sir-Tech, 1995
- Battleground 3: Waterloo by Talonsoft, 1996
- Castle Wolfenstein by Muse Software, 1981
- Beach Head by Access Software, 1983
- Fighter Duel Pro 2 by Jaeger Software, 1993
- Pinball Dreams by 21st Century Entertainment, 1990
- Trinity by Infocom, 1986
- Virtua Fighter by Sega, 1996
- Indianapolis 500: The Simulation by Electronic Arts, 1989
- Descent II by Interplay Entertainment, 1996
- Deathtrack by Activision, Inc., 1989
- Warcraft: Orcs & Humans by Blizzard Entertainment, 1994
- Gary Grigsby’s War in Russia by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1984
- Star Control by Accolade, 1992
- Tony LaRussa 3 by Stormfront, 1995
- MiG Alley Ace by Microprose Software, Inc., 1984
- Ogre by Origin Systems, 1986
- President Elect by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1981
- Lexi-Cross by Interplay Entertainment, 1991
- Heroes of Might & Magic I by New World Computing, 1995
- I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by Cyberdreams, 1995
- NukeWar by Avalon Hill, 1983
- Dark Castle by Silicon Beach, 1986
- Magic Carpet by Bullfrog Productions and Electronic Arts, 1994
- Arcticfox by Electronic Arts, 1986
- Mean Streets by Access Software, 1989
- Crystal Caliburn by Starplay, 1993
- Master of Magic by Microprose Software, Inc., 1994
- Blue Max by Synapse, 1983
- Typhoon of Steel by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1987
- Ultima III by Origin Systems, 1983
- Kasparov’s Gambit by Electronic Arts, 1993
- Shangai by Activision, Inc., 1986
- Sword of Fargoal by Epyx, 1992
- Tigers on the Prowl by HPS Simulations, 1994
- Courtside College Basketball by Haffner, 1984
- Star Fleet I: The War Begins by Interstel, 1985
Whew! Now that’s a retrogaming homework assignment I want to take on!
Computer Gaming World #1 cover
Filed under: PC Games, Retro Gaming Tagged: | 150 Games of All Time, 1996, anniversary, cgw, computer gaming world, retrogaming
It should be called the 150 best PC games of all time. Console
games like Super Mario Bros. and Castlevania on the NES are ignored as well as the SNES and Genesis not to mention the Playstation and games like Resident Evil on it which are some
of the best games ever made
I think the list is good though for PC games and have played
many on the list here. I did not see Daggerfall listed though maybe
it did not come out yet or was overlooked for some reason..
[...] many more. Its legacy is also well-recognized, earning a top ten position on the still-respected Computer Gaming World’s 150 Game of All Time [...]
I spent so many hours of my childhood playing those games.
[...] The 150 Best Games of All Time – CGW Redux [...]
[...] The 150 Best Games of All Time – CGW Redux « Recycled Thoughts from a Retro Gamer [...]
[...] The 150 Best Games of All Time – CGW Redux « Recycled Thoughts … . 1980; Tetris by Alexey Pajitnov (PC version published by Spectrum HoloByte), 1985; Panzer General by Strategic Simulations, Inc. 1994; Wizardry by Sir-Tech, 1981; Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within by Sierra Entertainment, [...]
And no Space Quest, Police Quest… from Sierra, no Captive, no ‘The Pawn from Magnetic Scrolls’, no Paradroid, no Cauldron, Winter games, Impossible Mission, Giana Sisters, Boulder dash, Skate or Die, Spy Vs Spy, The Goonies, BC’s Quest, … ???
So many great games from the good old days missing that deserve to be on this list…
I think that it goes to show just how many good retro games there are. No Space Quest, but also no Conquest of Camelot or The Colonel’s Bequest, either. I think we could probably expand this list into the 170 Best Games of All Time – or more!
It is not ‘Rescue at Fractalus by Epyx, 1987′ but ‘Rescue ON Fractalus by Lucasfilm Games, 1984′.
Awesome game at the time.
Actually, it was published by Epyx in 1985 for the C64 and Atari 8-bit systems, though LucasArts developed the game. Thanks for telling me about the preposition error, also. I’m glad this was the only entry with multiple errors to correct!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by magisterrex – Dan, magisterrex – Dan. magisterrex – Dan said: Recycled Thoughts From a Retro Gamer quick hit: The Best 150 Games of All Time – CGW Redux http://bit.ly/c3SbI9 #retrogaming [...]
wow, I recognize many of the games (having played them). I guess I was not too clueless.
My favorite game of all time was civilisation 1, it brings a big smile to my face seing it at no. 1
I wonder, why waste space on the 50 worst game… lol