1991 Games Collection
1991 stands as a landmark year that reshaped the gaming landscape, delivering timeless classics across Nintendo, SEGA, and emerging platforms. This era saw the perfection of 8-bit technology while laying foundations for the 16-bit revolution, offering players an unprecedented variety of genres and experiences.
Console Wars Heat Up
The battle between Nintendo's NES (Famicom) and SEGA's Genesis (Mega Drive) intensified:- Nintendo solidified its dominance with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) and Super Mario World, defining adventure and platforming standards.
- SEGA countered with Sonic the Hedgehog, creating its iconic mascot and showcasing Genesis' blast processing power.
- Handheld gaming flourished with Game Boy hits like Final Fantasy Adventure and Metroid II: Return of Samus.
Genre-Defining Masterpieces
1991 birthed franchises that endure today:- Street Fighter II (Arcade) revolutionized fighting games with its six-button layout and combo system.
- Civilization (PC) pioneered 4X strategy gaming, while Lemmings (Multiple) introduced puzzle-platform hybrids.
- JRPGs gained traction with Final Fantasy IV (SNES) and Dragon Quest V (SNES) showcasing narrative depth.
Technical Innovations
Developers pushed hardware limits:- Mode 7 graphics in F-Zero (SNES) simulated 3D racing perspectives.
- Sonic's parallax scrolling demonstrated Genesis' graphical capabilities.
- CD-ROM technology emerged through platforms like TurboGrafx-CD with Ys Book I & II.
Cultural Impact
Beyond consoles, 1991 influenced pop culture:- Arcades thrived with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time.
- PC gaming expanded with Ultima Underworld, foreshadowing first-person RPGs.
- The handheld market saw Nintendo's Game Boy outsell competitors 10:1.
Why 1991 Still Matters
This year represents the perfect storm of 8-bit refinement and 16-bit ambition. Many 1991 titles remain playable today through retro platforms, proving great game design transcends technological limitations. For collectors and newcomers alike, 1991 offers a treasure trove of gaming history.Showing 18 games from 1991 - Page 2
Streets of Rage
1991
Beat 'em upSega's definitive 16-bit beat-'em-up where ex-cops Axel, Blaze, and Adam clean up crime-ridden streets. Features Yuzo Koshiro's iconic techno soundtrack and cooperative gameplay.
El Viento
This cult classic action-platformer follows Annet Myer, a South American sorceress battling Lovecraftian cultists in 1930s New York. With its non-linear stages, unique diagonal jumping mechanics, and vibrant anime-style visuals, it stands as one of the Genesis' most distinctive titles.
Langrisser
1991
Tactical RPGLangrisser is a tactical role-playing game developed by Masaya Games for the Sega Genesis. Released in 1991, it combines strategic grid-based battles with RPG character progression. Players lead armies in a fantasy war between the forces of light and darkness, wielding the legendary sword Langrisser.
The Little Mermaid
1991
PlatformerThe Little Mermaid is a platform game developed by Capcom and published by Sega for the Genesis in 1991. Based on Disney's 1989 animated film, players control Ariel as she explores underwater environments, avoids enemies, and collects treasures.
Turbo Outrun
1991
RacingTurbo Outrun is an arcade-style racing game and sequel to Out Run, featuring high-speed coast-to-coast races across America with turbo boost mechanics and time-limited stages.
QuackShot Starring Donald Duck
1991
PlatformerA platform-adventure game featuring Donald Duck on a treasure hunt across various Disney-themed locations using his plunger gun to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
1991
ActionA side-scrolling action game based on the blockbuster film, featuring both Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800 and young John Connor as playable characters across various movie-inspired levels.
Flicky
1991
PlatformerA fast-paced platformer where players control a blue bird named Flicky who must rescue her chicks from a house filled with enemies like cats and lizards.
Captain Commando
1991
Beat 'em upCaptain Commando is a 1991 arcade beat 'em up game developed and published by Capcom. Set in the futuristic Metro City in 2026, players control one of four commandos battling the criminal organization 'Scumocide' through six action-packed stages featuring mutant bosses and high-tech weaponry.
Knights of the Round
1991
Beat 'em upCapcom's Arthurian beat-'em-up where players control King Arthur, Lancelot, or Percival through medieval England. Introduces RPG-like leveling and weapon upgrades.
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior
1991
FightingStreet Fighter II: The World Warrior is a 1991 arcade fighting game developed and published by Capcom. The sequel to the original Street Fighter revolutionized the genre by introducing competitive versus play with eight unique characters, each with distinct special moves and fighting styles.
The Simpsons
1991
Beat 'em upThe Simpsons is a 1991 beat 'em up arcade game based on the animated TV series. Players control Homer, Marge, Bart, or Lisa as they fight through Springfield to rescue baby Maggie from Mr. Burns and Smithers.
CAVEMAN NINJA
CAVEMAN NINJA (Joe & Mac) is a prehistoric action-platformer where two cavemen rescue kidnapped tribeswomen. Players wield bone clubs, stone wheels, and dinosaur mounts across vibrant jungles and volcanic caves with cooperative gameplay.
Sunset Riders
1991
Run and GunSunset Riders is a Wild West-themed run and gun arcade game released by Konami in 1991. Players take control of bounty hunters chasing wanted criminals across the American frontier, with four playable characters each wielding unique weapons.
Three Wonders
1991
PlatformerThree Wonders is a 1991 arcade game by Capcom featuring three distinct games in one cabinet: the horizontal shooter 'Midnight Wanderers,' the puzzle-platformer 'Chariot,' and the action-platformer 'Don't Pull.' This unique compilation showcases Capcom's CPS-1 hardware capabilities with vibrant visuals and diverse gameplay styles.
The King of Dragons
1991
Beat 'em upA fantasy-themed beat 'em up with RPG elements where players choose from five character classes to battle through 16 levels of dragon-infested kingdoms.
Eight Man
1991
Beat 'em upEight Man is a 1991 cyberpunk beat 'em up arcade game based on the Japanese superhero franchise. Players control the cyborg hero Eight Man through 6 dystopian stages, using his super speed and bionic punches against criminal syndicates. Notable for its anime-inspired visuals and being one of SNK's few side-scrolling brawlers for the Neo Geo MVS.