Retro Games From 1996

NBA Jam Extreme cranks up the arcade basketball insanity with turbo-charged dunks, over-the-top power-ups, and exaggerated player animations. This PlayStation exclusive expanded the Jam formula with 3D polygonal players, interactive courts, and the new 'Extreme Mode' featuring special abilities that defy physics.

Vandal Hearts is a tactical RPG that follows Ash Lambert and his companions as they uncover a conspiracy that threatens their kingdom. The game features grid-based tactical combat, deep character customization through job classes, and a mature storyline with political intrigue and moral dilemmas.

Mortal Kombat Trilogy is the definitive compilation and expansion of the original MK saga for PlayStation, combining the rosters, stages, and fatalities from Mortal Kombat 1, 2, and 3 (including Ultimate MK3) into one massive package. It features over 30 fighters, including all classic ninjas, bosses, and secret characters, along with new "Aggressor" bars for enhanced combos, revamped gameplay mechanics, and the infamous "Brutalities" finishers.

A-Train is a sophisticated railway and urban development simulation developed by Artdink. Players step into the role of a railroad tycoon, laying complex track networks, managing train schedules, and investing in subsidiary businesses to spur the growth of a thriving metropolis. More than just a transport sim, the game is a delicate economic sandbox where stock trading and land speculation are essential to avoid bankruptcy while navigating the ebbs and flows of the real estate market.

PoPoLoCrois Story is a tactical RPG developed by G-Artists and released for the PlayStation in 1996. Based on the beloved manga series by Yosuke Tamori, the game follows Prince Pietro on his quest to save his mother from a mysterious eternal slumber. The adventure begins as a seemingly simple task but expands into an epic journey of love, compassion, and friendship. Featuring gorgeous hand-drawn anime cutscenes and a grid-based tactical combat system that unfolds seamlessly on the field, PoPoLoCrois Story offers a charming fairy tale experience with deeper strategic depth than its storybook visuals might suggest.

Destruction Derby 2 is a high-octane demolition racing game developed by Reflections Interactive and published by Psygnosis for the PlayStation, unleashing a symphony of twisted metal and roaring engines across wider, faster, and far more dangerous tracks than its predecessor. Players choose from a trio of distinct stock cars and plunge into four destructive modes—Wreckin' Racing, Stock Car Racing, Time Trial, and the signature Destruction Derby bowl arenas—where the goal is as much about surviving the chaos as it is about crossing the finish line first. With a revolutionary real-time damage system that deforms bodywork, shreds tires, and sends hoods and doors cartwheeling across the asphalt, plus the newly introduced Pit Stop for mid-race repairs, it's an unruly, adrenaline-soaked classic that defined vehicular mayhem on the 32-bit console.

Sonic Blast is a 1996 platform game featuring Sonic and Knuckles with pre-rendered 3D graphics. The fifth and final Sonic game released for the Game Gear, it introduced new gameplay mechanics but received mixed reviews for its slow pace and technical limitations.

Baku Baku Animal is a unique puzzle game where players match animals with their favorite foods. Clear blocks by feeding the correct animal, with gameplay that gets progressively faster and more challenging.

A side-scrolling platformer where Cyclops and Wolverine battle through Mojo's twisted game show dimensions to rescue captured X-Men. Features character-switching mechanics and power-ups.

The revolutionary RPG that started the global Pokémon phenomenon. Begin your journey as a Pokémon Trainer in the Kanto region, capturing and training 151 unique Pokémon while battling Gym Leaders and the criminal Team Rocket.

Pokémon Blue Version is a role-playing video game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. As one of the first Generation I Pokémon games, it was released in Japan in 1996 and internationally in 1998. Players take on the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train creatures known as Pokémon, then use them to battle other Trainers while working to complete the Pokédex and become the Pokémon League Champion.

Pokémon Green Version is the original Japanese-exclusive role-playing game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. Released in 1996 as one of the first Generation I Pokémon games alongside Pokémon Red, it features exclusive Pokémon distributions and served as the foundation for the international Pokémon Blue Version. Players embark on a journey as a Pokémon Trainer to capture, train, and battle with creatures called Pokémon while completing the Pokédex and challenging the Pokémon League.

The sequel to Nintendo's picture-logic puzzle game featuring Mario as your mustachioed guide through 256 challenging Picross puzzles.

An original Game Boy adventure featuring the wacky superhero earthworm, now battling space threats across 15 new levels. Designed specifically for handheld play with tighter platforming challenges.

A modern reimagining of the classic 1981 arcade shooter, featuring enhanced 3D graphics, new power-ups, and multiple gameplay modes while retaining the original's intense side-scrolling action.

The Jaguar-exclusive mech combat sequel with enhanced 3D polygon graphics and destructible environments. Pilot your IS-2 mech through 25 missions to liberate Earth from Neo-Panzers.

A futuristic rail shooter combining 3D polygon graphics with classic arcade action. Pilot the X-7 Starfighter through 12 sectors of the Andromeda galaxy battling the Meklar Empire.

This 1996 Sega 32X exclusive action-platformer features Spider-Man in a side-scrolling adventure against Carnage and the symbiote army. Notable for its fluid web-swinging mechanics, wall-crawling, and comic-style cutscenes that push the 32X hardware.