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Relive the magic of 1998, a golden era when video game technology leapt forward and genres blossomed with classics that defined gaming forever.
A Legendary Year in Gaming
1998 went down in history as one of the most pivotal years for the gaming industry. This was the moment technology took a giant leap forward, and developers fearlessly experimented with new genres and mechanics. PlayStation and Nintendo 64 battled fiercely for gamers’ attention, while PCs shone with innovative strategy titles, and arcades still held their ground. That year gifted us dozens of hits, many of which remain genre-defining classics. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and see what we spent countless hours playing back then.
Resident Evil 2
A cult classic survival horror game developed and published by Capcom. Set during a zombie apocalypse, players control two main characters: Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Players explored dark, dangerous environments, fought hordes of zombies, mutants, and other terrifying creatures, as well as solved puzzles and collected crucial items to progress the story.
The game was highly praised by critics and players alike for its gripping atmosphere, intriguing plot, and unique gameplay. Resident Evil 2 became one of the most popular and influential titles in the survival horror genre and remains beloved by fans of the Resident Evil series.
Half-Life
One of the most influential games in video game history, setting new standards for the genre. Players take on the role of scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself at the center of an incident at the Black Mesa research facility. An experiment causes a dimensional rift, unleashing alien creatures on Earth.
Gordon must fight for survival, battling enemies and solving puzzles to uncover the disaster’s cause. The game impressed players with its unique narrative, atmosphere, and gameplay offering nonlinear progression, dynamic combat, realistic physics, and impressive graphics for its time.
Fallout 2
A role-playing game from Interplay Entertainment, continuing the cult hit Fallout. Taking place in a post-apocalyptic world after a nuclear war, players explore devastated lands, interact with various factions and characters, complete quests, and influence the story with their decisions.
Players create their own character, customizing skills, attributes, and goals. Fallout 2 offers freedom of action and choice, letting players decide how to achieve their objectives.
Delta Force
A tactical shooter that plunges players into the world of secret operations and military actions. Developed by Novalogic, it stands out for realism and attention to detail. Players assume the role of an elite special forces member on missions worldwide: hostage rescues, terrorist eliminations, destroying enemy targets, and reconnaissance tasks.
The game amazed with its realism, requiring players to consider factors like distance and wind influence on bullets.
Need for Speed 3
An exciting arcade racing game, one of the most popular and well-known entries in the Need for Speed series. Developed by Electronic Arts Canada, it wowed players with dynamic racing competitions, high-quality graphics, and the ability to play as police or engage in chases.
One highlight was the introduction of a mode where players could play as police pursuing traffic violators. The graphics were impressive for the time, with dynamic gameplay and realistic car physics making the game incredibly thrilling for racing fans.
Thief: The Dark Project
A cult stealth game from Looking Glass Studios that set new standards for the genre. You play as Garrett, a master thief sneaking through dark medieval cities, castles, and supernatural locations relying on stealth, not brute force.
The game featured advanced shadow and sound mechanics for its time, where every careless move could give you away. Its story plunged players into dark fantasy with conspiracies, ancient cults, and mysticism. Thief offered nonlinear missions, multiple paths, and minimal bloodshed — just cunning and calculation.
Army Men
A strategic shooter set in a miniature world of plastic toy soldiers brought to life against human-scale backdrops. The game combines tactics and action, commanding a squad of green army men in their war against the tan and blue forces.
The setting of ordinary backyards and rooms turned into battlefields gave the game a unique visual style and sense of scale. Gameplay ranged from hostage rescue missions to large battles with toy vehicles, from jeeps to helicopters.
Army Men stood out for its simple yet engaging tactical combat and nostalgic feel of childhood toy soldier battles. It launched a popular series branching into genres from RTS to 3D shooters.
Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines
Set during World War II, players manage a team of special forces operatives on dangerous missions. Each commando has unique skills and abilities.
Players undertake reconnaissance, enemy elimination, and other objectives using strategic thinking. The gameplay requires meticulous planning and team coordination, including using the environment, sneaking past guards, and completing tasks without alerting enemies.
Sin
A first-person shooter set in a cyberpunk world riddled with crime and corruption. The player is a crime fighter leading a team to unravel the mysteries of a dark organization involved in brutal crimes.
Distinguished by dynamic gameplay, a well-crafted story, and realistic combat, the game offers various missions including hand-to-hand combat, shootouts, and stealth operations, letting players choose their style.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
One of the most iconic games in the series, blending action, adventure, and puzzle elements. Players control the hero in the fantasy land of Hyrule.
The story centers on stopping the villain Ganondorf, rescuing Princess Zelda, and preventing the world’s destruction. Famous for its innovative use of 3D graphics and time-travel mechanics, players can switch between the hero’s childhood and adulthood.
Tomb Raider 3
In this third installment, players once again control Lara Croft exploring exotic locations globally. The game combines action, platforming, and puzzles.
Lara must find fragments of an ancient meteorite with mystical powers. Noted for challenging levels and improved graphics over prior entries.
Parasite Eve
A hybrid RPG and horror game telling the story of police detective Aya Brea, caught up in strange and dangerous events in New York.
Players explore locations and solve puzzles while trying to stop the spread of mitochondrial evolution caused by a mysterious entity named Eve.
Metal Gear Solid
A revolutionary stealth-action game that redefined the genre and set a benchmark for future titles.
Players assume the role of Solid Snake, an elite agent infiltrating a secret base to stop a nuclear threat. The game impressed with cinematic storytelling, deep political conspiracies, and psychedelic twists.
Gameplay emphasizes stealth, tactical planning, and minimal direct combat, introducing camouflage and enemy evasion. Famous for innovative boss fights including the psychological duel with Psycho Mantis. With advanced 3D graphics and voice acting, it became a cult classic shaping the entire franchise.
“Metal Gear Solid was not just a quest — it was an interactive blockbuster that influenced the entire gaming industry.”
Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus
A sequel to the cult platformer adventure by Oddworld Inhabitants, expanding the dark and original world of the first game.
Players control Abe, a clumsy Mudokon tasked with saving his brethren from cruel exploitation at a factory producing an evil beverage.
The game blends puzzles, stealth mechanics, and dark humor, requiring careful planning to avoid deadly traps and enemies. Unlike its predecessor, Exoddus introduced controlling other characters and expanded spellcasting.
Its atmosphere is enriched by a gritty fantasy style, eerie creature designs, and satirical commentary on corporate greed.
Crash Bandicoot: Warped
The third installment of the famous Naughty Dog platformer, where Crash once again challenges the villain Doctor Neo Cortex.
This time, players embark on a time-travel journey through eras—from ancient ruins to futuristic levels, each featuring unique styles and missions.
The gameplay expanded with new mechanics: besides classic running and jumping, players could race motorcycles, fly jetpacks, and scuba dive.
Warped boasted vibrant graphics, smooth animation, and memorable boss battles, becoming one of the most technically advanced PlayStation games.
Packed with secrets, bonus levels, and time trials, it offered hours of dynamic, action-packed fun.
The Settlers 3
A real-time strategy game combining economic planning, tactical battles, and a charming visual style.
Unlike typical RTS titles, it focuses on developing complex production chains from resource gathering to army building, emphasizing logistics and efficiency.
Players pick from three unique nations (Romans, Egyptians, or Asians), each with distinct buildings, units, and technologies.
Gameplay balances peaceful development with military clashes. The cartoonish graphics and detailed animations add special charm.
The Settlers III offers both single-player campaigns and multiplayer modes where victory depends on strategic thinking, not just click speed.
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
A dynamic first-person shooter by Acclaim Studios transporting players to a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs, alien tech, and fierce enemies.
As the new Time Keeper, the player must stop an alien invasion and destroy the “Seeds of Evil.”
The game was impressive for its time with advanced graphics, an enormous arsenal, and nonlinear levels full of secrets.
Unlike the first game, Turok 2 focused on a darker atmosphere and large locations while supporting up to four-player multiplayer.
Despite Nintendo 64’s technical limits, it remains a cult shooter blending wild action and unique settings.
The House of the Dead 2
An arcade rail shooter, one of the most popular horror games of its kind.
Players take on roles of special agents battling hordes of mutated zombies in the dark streets of Venice and other locations.
The game features fast-paced gameplay demanding quick reflexes and sharp shooting, along with a branching story and multiple endings.
Remembered for its B-movie horror vibe, gory scenes, and memorable bosses like the giant crocodile Zed.
With two-player co-op and simple yet adrenaline-pumping gameplay, this installment cemented the franchise’s position as a top rail shooter.
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
An innovative stealth action game by Acquire, set in feudal Japan where silence and shadows trump brute force.
Players control ninjas Rikimaru or Ayame on secret missions to stealthily eliminate enemies using traps, disguises, and instant ambush kills.
It was one of the first games where stealth mechanics weren’t optional but the gameplay core—noise, lighting, and shadows directly affected detection.
The setting of samurai conspiracies and atmospheric nighttime levels created a unique mix of hardcore action and tactical planning.
Tenchu is also remembered for its dynamic scoring system rewarding “clean” runs and its tension-boosting soundtrack.
This project laid the groundwork for future stealth games and remains a cult favorite among genre fans.
Wrapping Up
What a journey through 1998’s landmark gaming moments! These games didn’t just entertain—they shaped the future of video games with groundbreaking technology, storytelling, and gameplay. Which one brings back the fondest memories for you? Are there any gems we missed?
- What made 1998 a golden year in gaming?
It was a year marked by significant technological advances, bold experimentation across genres, and the release of many influential titles that set new industry standards. - Which platforms were dominant in 1998?
PlayStation and Nintendo 64 battled for console supremacy, while PCs offered innovative strategy and shooter games. Arcades still maintained popularity too. - What genres flourished in 1998?
Survival horror, stealth action, first-person shooters, role-playing games, and racing games all saw major hits and innovation. - Are these 1998 games still worth playing today?
Absolutely! Many have been remastered or remain classic experiences beloved for their gameplay, story, and nostalgia. - How did these games influence modern gaming?
They pioneered mechanics like stealth gameplay, cinematic storytelling, nonlinear progression, and realistic physics that are now industry standards.
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