As featured on podcast episodes and on popular video-sharing platforms like YouTube, an increasing number of gamers have developed an appetite for the classics. Alongside more senior players who reminisce about the good old days of gaming, diehard players everywhere are setting time aside to explore some retro delights.
In today’s world, 90s games are particularly popular, with some undeniable masterpieces from that era making a comeback on retro gaming sites, through emulators, and in some of the biggest and best digital storefronts, such as Steam. Alongside playing DraftKings titles with an old feel, like Retro Blackjack, and exploring modern takes on classic releases like Tetris, there are some 90s games that are clearly being enjoyed by gaming communities.
While these titles from the past don’t always stand up against some of today’s innovative releases with remarkably realistic graphics, they still have some redeeming qualities and an array of charming features that make them stand out in the current climate. With that in mind, below we highlight five 90s video games that are worth tracking down in 2026. Thanks to options like emulators and top gaming sites that house the classics, they’re still playable today.
Super Mario Kart
In 1992, for the SNES, Super Mario Kart hit the shelves. A title that was played in households everywhere on the planet, Super Mario Kart specialized in offering race-based chaos and strong doses of entertainment. Sure, the graphics don’t match today’s Mario Kart titles, but it more than makes up for it with the game’s highly pleasurable package. For many, Super Mario Kart remains as one of the most powerful multiplayer releases ever.
Street Fighter II
Ask more senior gamers to highlight some of their former favorites during their younger years, and while not every player will mention Street Fighter II, many probably will. This fight-filled masterpiece, built on the success of the first game, delivers an even more epic one-on-one fighting experience. With an array of new moves to learn and a strong selection of playable characters to fight as, this iconic fighting game helped to shape the genre moving forward.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Released in 1991 on classic console machines like the Sega Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog is a truly iconic offering that many gamers are aiming to track down today. This fast-paced delight with a familiar-looking mascot has entertained millions of gamers over the years, with the game’s impact even resulting in a movie with the same name hitting cinemas in 2020. A release you’ll struggle to put down if you’re able to find it online, Sonic the Hedgehog lives on.
Doom
While many gamers are getting their teeth into modern-day remakes like DOOM: The Dark Ages, many Doom fans are still enjoying classic instalments like the original Doom title. This important release is a first-person shooter that gamers respect, with Doom’s immersion at the time of its release making it a truly unique title. From its audio to its visual package, Doom was essential for all PC gamers when it was released in 1993. With multiplayer death matches and more to experience, it’s a game still worth playing today.
Pokémon Red/Blue
Although plenty of gamers out there are traversing their local areas while hunting down Pokémon in Pokémon Go, older Pokémon games like Pokémon Red and Blue are being sampled by others. These Pokémon delights can still be played on classic Game Boy devices, while also being on offer elsewhere. If you’re passionate about completing your Pokédex, then you simply have to catch ‘em all in these much-loved Pokémon releases.