Gabriel Rickles
Remember that feeling when you blew the cartridge, slapped the console, and prayed to the gaming gods? Or when your controller turned into an extension of your very being? Here, we’re talking about classics that might’ve wrecked at least one of your friendships. These ten console games are so legendary that even your grandma’s probably heard of them.
The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
Regarded as one of the best video games ever made, Ocarina of Time redefined 3D gaming. Its immersive world and innovative targeting system, with a rich storytelling set a new standard for adventure games on the Nintendo 64.
Tetris (Game Boy)
What made Tetris on the Game Boy an unstoppable force wasn’t just addictive gameplay but also its portability. Released in 1989 and bundled with the handheld, it transformed pocket gaming with its deceptively simple block-dropping puzzle.
Grand Theft Auto V
Selling over 210 million copies, GTA V is the second best-selling game of all time. Its sprawling narrative and satirical edge in a massive open world make it an icon of Sandbox Gaming on console platforms.
Super Mario Bros.
It all began with a plumber with a mustache. Super Mario Bros. rescued the industry after the 1983 crash and reintroduced fun and precision platforming. Its design principles still echo in countless modern side-scrollers across platforms.
Minecraft (Console Editions)
Initially released on Xbox 360 in 2012, Minecraft became a generational hit. Its endless creativity and cooperative play resonated deeply with younger audiences and revolutionized it into one of the most influential console games.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Before Halo, first-person shooting games on consoles were clunky. Bungie’s masterpiece refined FPS mechanics for Xbox and introduced vehicular combat. It set the stage for online multiplayer gaming, and later versions dominated the segment with the launch of Xbox Live.
Final Fantasy VII
Upon its release, Final Fantasy VII pushed PlayStation’s capabilities to the limit. Its movie-like storytelling, combined with unforgettable characters and an extensive marketing campaign, drew global audiences into the JRPG genre like never before.
Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Modern Warfare did not just reboot a franchise but changed online FPS gaming forever with killstreaks and a progression system. The addictive progression and illustrative campaign made it a cornerstone of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 eras.
GoldenEye 007
One of the best games to redefine the genre of games adapted from a feature film. GoldenEye 007 offered a split-screen multiplayer and innovative mission game design that turned the Nintendo 64 into the console of choice for budding FPS fans.
The Last Of Us
A post-apocalyptic setting isn’t new, but this one felt completely different. The Last of Us brought cinematic excellence and character-driven storytelling to the PlayStation 3 and became a benchmark in emotionally mature gaming narratives.
