The 150 Best Games of All Time – CGW Redux

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:

1. Sid Meier’s Civilization, MicroProse Software, 1991
2. Ultima IV by Richard Garriott and Origin Systems, 1985
3. M.U.L.E. by Dan Bunten and Ozark Softscape, 1983
4. Red Baron by Damon Slye and Dynamix, Inc. (part of Sierra On-Line) 1990
5. Doom by John Carmack, John Romero and id Software, 1993
6. SimCity by Will Wright and Maxis Software, 1989
7. Wing Commander by Chris Roberts and Origin Systems, 1990
8. Empire by Walter Bright and Mark Baldwin, 1977
9. Wasteland by Interplay Entertainment Productions, 1988
10. Falcon 3.0 by Spectrum HoloByte, 1991
11. Front Page Sports Football by Sierra On-Line, 1994
12. Lemmings by DMA Design, 1991
13. Zork I by Marc Blank et al, 1980
14. Tetris by Alexey Pajitnov (PC version published by Spectrum HoloByte), 1985
15. Panzer General by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1994
16. Wizardry by Sir-Tech, 1981
17. Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within by Sierra Entertainment, 1995
18. Sid Meier’s Pirates! by Microprose Software, Inc., 1987
19. Secret of Monkey Island by LucasArts, 1990
20. Archon by Electronic Arts, 1983
21. Their Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain by LucasArts, 1990
22. X-COM by Microprose Software, Inc., 1994
23. Might & Magic by New World Computing, Inc., 1986
24. Raid on Bungeling Bay by Brøderbund Software, 1984
25. Earl Weaver Baseball by Electronic Arts, 1987
26. Links 386 by Access Software, 1992
27. MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat by Activision, Inc., 1995
28. Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness by Blizzard Entertainment, 1995
29. Star Control II by Accolade, 1992
30. Populous by Bullfrog Productions, 1989
31. NASCAR Racing by Papyrus Design Group, Inc., 1994
32. M1 Tank Platoon by Microprose Software, Inc., 1989
33. Master of Orion by Simtex and Microprose Software, Inc., 1993
34. Day of the Tentacle by LucasArts, 1993
35. Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat by Electronic Arts, 1991
36. Quake by id Software, 1996
37. Duke Nukem 3D by Apogee Software, 1996
38. Crusader: No Remorse by Origin Systems, 1995
39. Red Storm Rising by Microprose Software, Inc., 1988
40. Harpoon by 360 Pacific, 1989
41. Sid Meier’s Railroad Tycoon by Microprose Software, Inc., 1990
42. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Infocom, 1984
43. Betrayal at Krondor by Dynamix, 1993
44. Ultima VI by Origin Systems, 1990
45. Rocket Ranger by Cinemaware, 1988
46. Chessmaster by Software Toolworks, 1986
47. Aces of the Pacific by Dynamix, 1992
48. Command & Conquer by Westwood, 1995
49. Dungeon Master by FTL, 1987
50. Pinball Construction Set by Electronic Arts, 1983
51. Reach for the Stars by Strategic Studies Group, 1988
52. F-19 Stealth Fighter by Microprose Software, Inc., 1988
53. Steel Panthers by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1995
54. Wing Commander III by Origin Systems, 1994
55. Starflight by Electronic Arts, 1986
56. Star Wars: TIE Fighter by LucasArts, 1994
57. NBA Live by EA Sports, 1994
58. Suspended by Infocom, 1983
59. Gettysburg by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1986
60. EF2000 by Digital Integration, 1995
61. The Seven Cities of Gold by Electronic Arts, 1984
62. The Incredible Machine by Sierra Entertainment, 1993
63. The Faery Tale Adventure by Micro Illusions, 1986
64. Marathon by Bungie Software, 1994
65. Wings by Cinemaware, 1990
66. World Circuit by Microprose Software, Inc., 1992
67. Syndicate by Bullfrog Productions, 1993
68. Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss by Origin Systems, 1992
69. Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards by Sierra Entertainment, 1987
70. Dune II by Westwood, 1992
71. Aces of the Deep by Dynamix, 1994
72. Solitaire’s Journey by QQP, 1992
73. Quest for Glory I: So You Want To Be A Hero by Sierra Entertainment, 1989
74. Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge by LucasArts, 1991
75. You Don’t Know Jack by Berkeley Systems, 1995
76. Shadow of the Beast by Psygnosis, 1989
77. Solitaire’s Journey by Strategic Studies Group, 1993
78. Balance of Power by Mindscape, 1983
79. Flight Simulator II by SubLogic, 1984
80. Lode Runner by Brøderbund Software, 1983
81. Loom by LucasArts, 1992
82. Rescue on Fractalus by LucasArts (published by Epyx for the C64/Atari 400), 1985
83. Rise of the Dragon by Dynamix, 1990
84. Prince of Persia by Brøderbund Software, 1990
85. RobotWar by Muse Software, 1981
86. Silent Service by Microprose Software, Inc., 1985
87. F/A-18 Interceptor by Electronic Arts, 1987
88. Alone in the Dark by I-Motion, 1992
89. Bard’s Tale by Electronic Arts, 1985
90. Carriers at War by Strategic Studies Group, 1992
91. Battles of Napoleon by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1985
92. Defender of the Crown by Cinemaware, 1986
93. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis by LucasArts, 1993
94. King’s Quest V by Sierra Entertainment, 1990
95. Sam & Max Hit the Road by LucasArts, 1993
96. Star Trek: Judgment Rites by Interplay Entertainment, 1994
97. Wolfenstein 3-D by Apogee, 1992
98. System Shock by Origin Systems, 1994
99. Under a Killing Moon by Access Software, 1993
100. AH-64D Longbow by Jane’s Combat Simulations (Electronic Arts), 1996
101. Kampfgruppe by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1985
102. Gunship by Microprose Software, Inc., 1989
103. Eric the Unready by Interplay Entertainment, 1992
104. Deadline by Infocom, 1982
105. Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant by Sir-Tech, 1987
106. Battle Chess by Interplay Entertainment, 1988
107. Perfect General by QQP, 1989
108. Neuromancer by Interplay Entertainment, 1988
109. Pacific War by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1992
110. Operation Crusader by Avalon Hill and Atomic Games, 1994
111. Wayne Gretzky Hockey by Bethesda Softworks, 1989
112. TV Sports: Football by Cinemaware, 1987
113. Monopoly by Virgin and Hasbro, 1995
114. Jagged Alliance by Sir-Tech, 1995
115. Battleground 3: Waterloo by Talonsoft, 1996
116. Castle Wolfenstein by Muse Software, 1981
117. Beach Head by Access Software, 1983
118. Fighter Duel Pro 2 by Jaeger Software, 1993
119. Pinball Dreams by 21st Century Entertainment, 1990
120. Trinity by Infocom, 1986
121. Virtua Fighter by Sega, 1996
122. Indianapolis 500: The Simulation by Electronic Arts, 1989
123. Descent II by Interplay Entertainment, 1996
124. Deathtrack by Activision, Inc., 1989
125. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans by Blizzard Entertainment, 1994
126. Gary Grigsby’s War in Russia by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1984
127. Star Control by Accolade, 1992
128. Tony LaRussa 3 by Stormfront, 1995
129. MiG Alley Ace by Microprose Software, Inc., 1984
130. Ogre by Origin Systems, 1986
131. President Elect by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1981
132. Lexi-Cross by Interplay Entertainment, 1991
133. Heroes of Might & Magic I by New World Computing, 1995
134. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream by Cyberdreams, 1995
135. NukeWar by Avalon Hill, 1983
136. Dark Castle by Silicon Beach, 1986
137. Magic Carpet by Bullfrog Productions and Electronic Arts, 1994
138. Arcticfox by Electronic Arts, 1986
139. Mean Streets by Access Software, 1989
140. Crystal Caliburn by Starplay, 1993
141. Master of Magic by Microprose Software, Inc., 1994
142. Blue Max by Synapse, 1983
143. Typhoon of Steel by Strategic Simulations, Inc., 1987
144. Ultima III by Origin Systems, 1983
145. Kasparov’s Gambit by Electronic Arts, 1993
146. Shangai by Activision, Inc., 1986
147. Sword of Fargoal by Epyx, 1992
148. Tigers on the Prowl by HPS Simulations, 1994
149. Courtside College Basketball by Haffner, 1984
150. 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