150 Greatest Games from Computer Gaming World '96
In 1996, for its 15th anniversary, Computer Gaming World released a mega-sized issue that contained, among other things, its selections for the best 150 computer games of all time. This was the same year Quake was released, a year before Final Fantasy VII. It's a unique moment in time, one on the cusp of viable 3D engines and the solidifcation of consoles as the default platform for gaming. It's a fascinating point to look both back on and from, a chance to see how different the world of computer gaming was.
It's by no means definitive. There's obvious bias, some notable omissions. But the list overwhelmingly favors games that were primarily at home on the PC, best-suited to its processing strengths, peripherals and modular nature. Only a few of these games made it to console, fewer still doing so particularly well. Any list that focused on or even included consoles would look utterly different, and that inherent difference is one I greatly appreciate.
It's by no means definitive. There's obvious bias, some notable omissions. But the list overwhelmingly favors games that were primarily at home on the PC, best-suited to its processing strengths, peripherals and modular nature. Only a few of these games made it to console, fewer still doing so particularly well. Any list that focused on or even included consoles would look utterly different, and that inherent difference is one I greatly appreciate.
150 Games
101
102
103
104
106
This should be the DOS version, obviously.
107
108
109
113
114
117
119
120
123
124
127
129
130
131
132
135
136
137
138
140
141
142
143
146
147
Courtside College Basketball by Lance Haffner
149
5 Comments
playing marathon rn its awesome
Shoutouts to Westwood Monopoly and Crystal Caliburn, how the hell did they wind up here
Chessmaster 2000 in 1996? Unbelievable what you could get away with
M.U.L.E. at #3 what a list
Dalaamclouds
1 month ago