Historic Games Turning 25 in 2024
Key entries into legendary franchises such as Pokémon, Resident Evil, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and many more released in 1999. Let's look at the legacies left behind.
1999 turned out to be a pivotal year for many gaming franchises and systems. With the fifth generation of gaming console lifecycle coming to a close and the technology jump to the sixth generation was nearing, developers and publishers worked to send out the fifth-generation with a bang. Let’s look at some marquee releases that released in 1999.
Pivotal Games Turning 25 in 2024
Nintendo
Pokémon Gold and Silver
Pokémon has long been a staple franchise for Nintendo gaming consoles on both handheld and traditional consoles. After the success of Pokémon Blue and Red (and later Yellow), developer Game Freak brought gamers to the Johto Region of the world of Pokémon with Pokémon Gold and Silver to explore, catch, and battle with their team of Pokémon. The games released first in Japan in 1999 before going worldwide in later years.
What it Brought to the Table
It built on the format of Red and Blue with additions such as an internal clock that effected when certain Pokémon would appear, new types of Poké Balls were also added. Aspiring trainers could also utilize objects such as a watch, map, radio, and phone for the first time.
The game also saw the first iterations of shiny, dark, and steel type Pokémon and also introduced the breeding feature for the first time.
Legacy
The games became the best selling games for the Gameboy Color with 23 million units sold and spawned remakes, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver which released in 2017 for the Nintendo 3DS.
Pokémon Stadium
Keeping the Pokémon theme going, 1999 also saw the release of Pokémon Stadium on the Nintendo 64. This was the first release of the title outside of Japan. This version of Pokémon Stadium released in Japan as Pokémon Stadium 2 due to the first version of the game being a Japan exclusive. Pokémon Stadium released in Japan in 1999 before going worldwide in 2000. The game solely focused on Pokémon battling as opposed to the role-playing games that were released for Nintendo handhelds.
What it Brought to the Table
A battle game with all 151 Kanto Pokémon available for battle as well as a variety of mini-games that could be played. The game also utilized the transfer pack accessory, which allowed gamers to battle with Pokémon they caught in the Red, Blue, and Yellow Gameboy games within Stadium.
Legacy
A sequel was created to align with the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver on the Gameboy Advanced. The game was also a best seller for the Nintendo 64.
Mario Golf
Similarly to Pokémon Stadium, this was the first game released as Mario Golf outside of Japan. The predecessor, NES Open Golf Tournament, was released in Japan under the name Mario Open Golf. Gamers can step into the shoes of characters from across the Mario universe as they tee off in golf competition.
What it Brought to the Table
A fun Mario themed sports game that was a perfect multiplayer sports game for Nintendo and non Nintendo fans alike.
Legacy
Multiple sequels have been developed and it joined the other Mario themed sports games such as Baseball, Tennis, Strikers, and others.
Donkey Kong 64
Gamers took control of classic character Donkey Kong for the first main entry series of the Nintendo 64 in 1999 with Donkey Kong 64. The platformer put gamers back into the role of the titular character for some platforming fun.
What it Brought to the Table
The game utilized the Nintendo 64 Expansion Pack which gave the system the extra needed RAM to run games such as Donkey Kong 64. It was the first and only main installment of the Donkey Kong franchise to hit the Nintendo 64 (not counting racing) and went on to become a staple game for the system.
Legacy
Donkey Kong 64 was the best selling holiday game for Nintendo in 1999 and received universal acclaim from fans and critics alike. It was also the final Donkey Kong game developed by developer Rare prior to being purchased by Microsoft in 2002.
PlayStation
Resident Evil 3
Gamers worked through Raccoon City with Nemesis on their tail as the final main installment in the Resident Evil franchise for PlayStation released in 1999. Gamers stepped into the boots of Jill Valentine as the T-Virus infects the citizens of Raccoon City. The action survival-horror game terffied gamers as they blasted their way through the fictional Midwest city.
What it Brought to the Table
A more action based formula than the previous main installments in the series. It is also the first main line game to star a returning character in Jill and not have a split campaign between multiple characters (although control does switch mid game for a brief period).
Legacy
The game became a best seller for the PlayStation and spawned a remake in 2020. Prior to the remake the game was also ported to multiple consoles including GameCube, Dreamcast, and PC.
Syphon Filter
The first installment in the PlayStation action shooter franchise, Syphon Filter was released in 1999. Gamers were put up to the task of stopping a biological threat to the United States. Gabriel Logan and Lian Xin take center stage in this stealthy action shooter that launched multiple sequels on both the PlayStation and PlayStation Portable.
What it Brought to the Table
An action shooter with stealth and puzzle solving aspects to it that mashed up elements of Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, and Medal of Honor all into one shooter exclusively for the PlayStation.
Legacy
Two direct sequels were created in 2000 and 2001 as well as multiple spin offs on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable that kept the franchise alive until 2007.
Chrono Cross
The Chrono series came to the PlayStation 1 for the first time in 1999 with the release of Chrono Cross. The game is a lose re-telling of the previous Japan exclusive Radical Dreamers. It was a bit of a departure from previous Chrono games as it featured changes such as more characters, but fewer Trigger locations and characters.
What it Brought to the Table
A deep and complex role-playing-game from a storied franchise to the PlayStation 1 that made gamers think as they made their way through the main story.
Legacy
Although much speculation of a sequel has taken place, nothing has come to fruition. A remaster was released in 2022 that also included Radical Dreamers which had only been available in Japan until that point. The free to play role playing game, Another Eden, featured a cross over event with Chrono Cross in 2021.
Medal of Honor
The first Medal of Honor game brought a World War II game to PlayStation gamers in 1999. Gamers are put into the boots of a military member as they work to complete missions for the Office of Strategic Service towards the end of World War II.
What it Brought to the Table
A historical shooting game from the first person perspective that had not been seen on the console before.
Legacy
It spawned a direct sequel on the PlayStation, Medal of Honor Underground. The series has had releases on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PC, GameCube, Wii, Xbox 360, and other consoles with the latest release being in 2020.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
Released on the PlayStation in 1999 and the Nintendo 64 in 2000. The game allowed gamers to step into the shoes of some of the best professional skaters in the world as they collected “tapes” in various maps and competed in competitions set in different areas around the world. The game is the first of many in what went on to become a staple franchise in gaming.
What it Brought to the Table
A realistic skateboarding simulation game with unlockable areas, skateboards, and more. Gamers were able to step into the shoes of Tony Hawk himself along with a roster of other professional skater with the goal of racking up points and collecting “tapes” to unlock more locations to skate.
Legacy
In addition to launching the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise, the game launched a variety of other action sports franchises such as Dave Hoffman’s Pro BMX, Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer, Shaun Palmer's Pro Snowboarder, and others. Activision launched a side publishing franchise, Activision 02, which focused on action sports simulation games. It also sparked a remake in 2020 which was a combined remake of the first two games in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Franchise.
Which of these games did you play? Which do you still play today? Sound off in the comments below.