Relive the Nostalgic Days of Low-Res Graphics with These 25+ Iconic 90s Computer Games You Probably Forgot: 'I still toss Starcraft in at least once a month and enjoy it'

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Isabella Penn
Jun 6, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

The 90s were a special time when the screech of a modem connecting was music to our ears, and graphics cards with names that were longer than a JRPG title promised worlds unseen. For those who were an avid PC gamer in this fantastic era, here's a pixelated portal back to over 25 games so you can yell, "Wait, I haven't thought about THAT in years!"

Remember Command & Conquer? Building your base, churning out tanks, and yelling "Achtung!" at your opponent was pure strategy (though your roommates might have disagreed). And who can forget the mayhem in Doom? Unadulterated fun was had in ripping through loads of demons with a shotgun bigger than your monitor. Then there was Myst, where solving clues transported you to breathtaking (and also terrifying) pre-rendered worlds. Those are just a few glimpses into the glorious, frustrating, and endlessly creative world that was '90s PC gaming. So fire up a DOS emulator, listen to those sound effects kick in, and get transported back to the days when a good game would keep you glued to your monitor for hours, even if your internet cut out every 10 minutes. Remember, patience is a virtue, especially when waiting for those sweet, sweet, low-res textures to load.

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  • 01
    • r/AskReddit ⚫ 17 hr. ago Live_from_New_Yeerk Those who used a computer at least once between 1990 and 2001, what was the most memorable computer game you played during that era? Why?
    via u/Live_from_New_Yeerk
  • 02
    paleo2002 • 16h ago Sim City 2000 taught me everything I know about municipal government. Zoning, ordinances, bonds, taxes as incentives/disincentives, infrastructure, power plants blow up after 50 years.
    via u/paleo2002
  • 03
    Another Yada Yada • 18h ago DOOM was awesome. Very fond memories.
    via u/AnotherYadaYada
  • 04
    Gamecat235 • 17h ago Command and Conquer - Red Alert. And it's probably not even close (though the Marathon series were eye opening, and were my introduction to hex based editors to tweak gameplay/physics).
    via u/Gamecat235
  • 05
    pug_fugly_moe •17h ago Worms. So much fun.
    via u/pug_fugly_moe
  • 06
    Totallycasual • 18h ago Lemmings, it had amazing puzzles!
    via u/Totallycasual
  • 07
    uncredible_source • 17h ago Age of Empires II. I'd play that game today if they made it for iPad. EverQuest is a close second. Starcraft and Warcraft are in there too.
    via u/uncredible_source
  • 08
    • pm-me-ur-fav-undies 16h ago Rollercoaster Tycoon 1 and it's not even close.
    via u/pm-me-ur-fav-undies
  • 09
    GrimeyScorpioDuffm... . 17h ago Where in the world is Carmen SanDiego
    via u/GrimeyScorpioDuffman
  • 10
    Siouxper_man • 17h ago Starcraft, I'll still toss it in at least once a month and enjoy it
    via u/Siouxper_man
  • 11
    krarstrings . 17h ago Well Oregon trail for sure lol But there was this game I remember playing as a kid on my cousin's computer. Something along the lines of Dr. spin? Spin doctor? I haven't been able to find it since. Zoombinis was a good one too lol.
    via u/krarstrings
  • 12
    hitchenator • 17h ago Unreal Tournament 1999. Facing Worlds is one of the most iconic, nostalgic maps ever made. Games like that shaped the human I am today.
    via u/hitchenator
  • 13
    Sabre _One . • 17h ago ⚫ Edited 16h ago Myst, Wasn't the greatest game in the world. But by god the fat 5+ disk you needed. The puzzles that met jack to you as a kid. Was just one those games your uncles had that you didn't quiet play enough of it to get it, but was still like...this game must be important
    via u/Sabre_One
  • 14
    EvilAbdy • 17h ago Commander Keen!! Played it a ton. Duke Nukem 3D, DOOM and quake also.
    via u/EvilAbdy
  • 15
    NeverSayNever2024 • 16h ago Half Life.
    via u/NeverSayNever2024
  • 16
    COVзRTSM ⚫ 17h ago The Incredible Machine
    via u/COV3RTSM
  • 17
    Njsybarite • 17h ago Leisure suit Larry
    via u/Njsybarite
  • 18
    Flatulatory • 17h ago There were a bunch of Sierra games that were like 4 floppy disks that my neighbour lent me. Police Quest Gold Rush Kings Quest I loved those games because they were really the first ones I played and those neighbours were really nice.
    via u/Flatulatory
  • 19
    Random_Hero2023 Diablo 2 • 17h ago
    via u/Random_Hero2023
  • 20
    starocean01 • 16h ago Math Blaster My family didn't have a PC at that time most of my computer usage was at school, this was one of the few games they had besides the windows games. I hated maths but for some reason I was ok with it in this game...
    via u/starocean01
  • 21
    Penguins_in_new_york •17h ago Pinball. Do I even need to explain?
    via u/Penguins_in_new_york
  • 22
    Disastrous_Aid • 17h ago TIE Fighter it was complex. -- enough to really give the illusion of flying a spaceship. The plot/story was also very well done, it gave the Empire a lot of depth. Still my favorite Star Wars game.
    via u/Disastrous_Aid
  • 23
    EpicLearn • 17h ago Duke Nukem 3D I reached #3 in the Cases Internet Gaming Ladder, before the ladder went to ...
    via u/EpicLearn
  • 24
    sirchrisalot • 17h ago I loved Kings Quest V. The whole series was good, but V was my favorite.
    via u/sirchrisalot
  • 25
    • violagoyf 16h ago Civilization 2. Any Sid Meier game, really. Master of Orion 2. Golden Axe.
    via u/violagoyf
  • 26
    Unlikely_Plankton597 • 17h ago Prince of Persia
    via u/Unlikely_Plankton597
  • 27
    FREELANCER PLOSIV LONHEAD STUDIOS PRESENTS BLACK WHITE Entdecke dein wahres Ich CD-ROM STAR WARS PC DVD ROM 2 LIFE2 1503 ANNO 1 SHERRA ERE AFIA N SIEDLER, DAS ER DER KONICE
    via Mickis-Fotowelt

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games geek hilarious programming computers PC nostalgia memories gamers Memes nostalgic computer reminiscing 90s memory lane video games old game funny 1990s 90s kids
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