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
Courtside College Basketball by Lance Haffner
149
147
146
143
142
141
140
138
137
136
135
132
131
130
129
127
124
123
120
119
117
114
113
109
108
This should be the DOS version, obviously.
107
106
104
103
102
101
100
98
85
81
80
77
67
65
64
60
58
57
55
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