![games](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/games.jpg)
Remembering the good all days, when me and my friends were playing Doom, Mortal Kombat, Quake or War Craft on a Pentium 133 MHz computer with Sound Blaster and a 4MB video card. A lot has changed since then.
Video games actually are a lot older than that we used to play in the 90s. The first video game was created in 1947 called Tennis for two and it was played on an oscilloscope like device.
With the release of Apple II, Commodore 64 and the ZX Spectrum in late 70s early 80s people could afford to buy such devices and to play video games from their own home. By the mid 80s the video game industry started to evolve at a fast pace releasing games such as Zork, Battlezone and Bard's Tale.
![First Video Game](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/first-video-game.jpg)
The 1990s became the golden age of computer video games and gave birth to a large number of game developers and publishers such as Activision, Electronic Arts, Blizzard and id Software
From design and graphics point of view, video games greatly evolved and continue to do so. Writing about 90s computer games in 2008 is somewhat nostalgic and in the same time it's funny, because what can you expect from a 16 bit graphic display and a 100 MHz machine, but remembering that in those days these configs were king just as 3,6 GHz and Nvidia GeForce 9400 nowdays.
So, let's look at how the graphics and design evolved starting from 1990.
1990
- Nintendo releases Super Famicom 16 bit console
- Creative Labs introduces Soundblaster Pro
Wing Commander
![Wing Commander 1990](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/wing-commander-1990.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Super Mario World
![1175404376-00](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/1175404376-00.png)
Source: mobygames.com
Final Fantasy III
![Final Fantasy 3](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/final-fantasy-3.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Commander Keen
![Commander Keen 1990](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/commander-keen-1990.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
1991
- Graphic accelerator cards are born
- id Software is founded
- Tim Berners-Lee introduces the World Wide Web
- Intel sells 486SX processors
Civilization
![Civilization 1991](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/civilization-1991.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Road Rash
![Road Rash 1991](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/road-rash-1991.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
The Legend of Zelda
![177072](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/177072.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Neverwinter Nights
![Neverwinter Nights 1991](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/neverwinter-nights-1991.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
1992
- Microsoft releases Windows 3.1
Mortal Kombat
![Mortal Kombat 1992](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/mortal-kombat-1992.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Wolfenstein 3D
![Wolfenstein 3d 1992](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/wolfenstein-3d-1992.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Dune II
![Dune 2 1992](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/dune-2-1992.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
1993
- Microsoft releases Windows NT and MS-DOS 6
- Intel Pentium 60 MHz processor is released
Sim City 2000
![Sim City 2000](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/sim-city-2000.jpg)
Source: markhell.wordpress.com/2008/02
Doom
![Doom 1993](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/doom-1993.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Virtua Fighter
![virtua_fighter](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/virtua_fighter.png)
Source: Wikipedia
Master of Orion
![Master of Orion 1993](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/master-of-orion-1993.jpg)
Source: warpcore.org
1994
- Commodore computers files for bankruptcy
- 3DFX is founded (company known for it's Voodoo video cards)
- First Sony Playstation is introduced
Heretic
![Heretic 1994](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/heretic-1994.jpg)
Source: http://www.happypenguin.org/
Warcraft
![Warcraft=1994](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/warcraft1994.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Tekken
![Tekken 1994](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/tekken-1994.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
1995
- The first E3 is held in Las Vegas
- Microsoft Windows 95 is released
- DirectX 1.0 is introduced by Microsoft
- ATX motherboards are born
Warcraft II
![Warcraft 2 1995](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/warcraft-2-1995.jpg)
Source: immortalmachines.com
The Need For Speed
![The Need for Speed 1995](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/the-need-for-speed-1995.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Command and Conquer
![Command and Conquer 1995](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/command-and-conquer-1995.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
1996
- Intel released 200 MHz Pentium
- DirectX 2.0 is released
- Nintendo releases the first true 64 bit game console
Quake
![Quake 1996](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/quake-1996.jpg)
Source: www.geocities.com/adel_bball/fun.html
Duke Nukem 3D
![Duke Nukem 3d 1996](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/duke-nukem-3d-1996.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
M.A.X.
![Max 1996](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/max-1996.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
1997
- Wi-Fi is released
- DirectX 5.0 is released
- Intel introduces MMX chips
- First DVDs are sold
- Intel 233 MHz processor is introduced
Grand Theft Auto
![Gta 1997](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/gta-1997.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Total Annihilation
![957301262-00](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/957301262-00.gif)
Source: mobygames.com
Age of Empires
![Age of Empires 1999](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/age-of-empires-1999.jpg)
Source: gamegoldies.org
Final Fantasy VII
![final_fantasy_vii-combat](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/final_fantasy_vii-combat.jpg)
Source: TeamTeaBag
Quake 2
![Quake 2 1997](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/quake-2-1997.jpg)
Source: midwesternbias.blogspot.com
Diablo
![Diablo 1997](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/diablo-1997.jpg)
Source: chello.at/theodor.lauppert
1998
- Intel releases Celeron processors
- AMD 3DNow! is born
- Rockstar Games is founded
Half Life
![Half Life 1998](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/half-life-1998.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Starcraft with Broodwar expansion
![960869296-00](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/960869296-00.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Microsoft Flight Simulator 98
![214788jpeg](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/214788jpeg.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
StarCraft
![Starcraft 1998](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/starcraft-1998.jpg)
Source: thezeal.com
Unreal
![Unreal 1998](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/unreal-1998.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
1999
- Sega Dreamcast is released
- Pentium III 500 MHz is introduced
- nVidia introduces the GPU (Graphics Processor Unit)
EverQuest
![Everquest 1999](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/everquest-1999.jpg)
Source: flatrock.org.nz
Heroes of Might and Magic III
![Homm 3 1999](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/homm-3-1999.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
2000
- Sony Playstation 2 is released with better graphics capability than a PC
The Sims
![The Sims 2000](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/the-sims-2000.jpg)
Source: thesims.eagames.nl/
Counter Strike
![Counter Strike 2000](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/counter-strike-2000.jpg)
Source: ob81.com
Colin McRae Rally 2
![Colin Mcrae Rally 2 2000](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/colin-mcrae-rally-2-2000.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Grand Theft Auto 2
![Gta 2 2000](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/gta-2-2000.jpg)
Source: ugo.com
2001
- Microsoft enters the game consoles market with it's XBox console
Max Payne
![Max Payne 2001](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/max-payne-2001.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Grand Theft Auto 3
![Gta 3 2001](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/gta-3-2001.jpg)
Source: compactiongames.about.com
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
![Return to Castle Wolfenstein 2001](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/return-to-castle-wolfenstein-2001.jpg)
Source: softpedia.com
Halo
![Halo 2001](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/halo-2001.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Empire Earth
![Empire Earth 2001](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/empire-earth-2001.jpg)
Source: gamesurge.com
2002
Mafia
![Mafia 2002](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/mafia-2002.jpg)
Source: the-nextlevel.com
Diablo II Lord of destruction
![Diablo 2 2000](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/diablo-2-2000.jpg)
Source: freegamesclub.blogspot.com
Warcraft 3
![Warcraft 3 2003](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/warcraft-3-2003.jpg)
Source: ogre3d.org
Neverwinter Nights
![194709jpeg](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/194709jpeg.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Dungeon Siege
![Dungeon Siege 2002](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/dungeon-siege-2002.jpg)
Source: gameogre.com
Battlefield 1942
![Battlefield 1942 2002](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/battlefield-1942-2002.jpg)
Source: juegaenred.com
Baldur's Gate - Dark Alliance
![Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance 2002](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/baldurs-gate-dark-alliance-2002.jpg)
Source: filefront.com
2003
- Nokia introduces the first console / mobile phone hybrid,the N-Gage series
- Sony Playstation Portable is developed
Call of Duty
![750px-codscreen41](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/750px-codscreen41.jpg)
Source: Wikipedia
Tony Hawk's Underground
![Tony Hawk Underground 2003](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/tony-hawk-underground-2003.jpg)
Source: g4tv.com
Prince of Persia
![Prince of Persia 2003](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/prince-of-persia-2003.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Max Payne 2
![Max Payne 2 2003](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/max-payne-2-2003.jpg)
Source: thierrygagnon.com
Rise of Nations
![Rise of Nations 2003](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/rise-of-nations-2003.jpg)
Source: compactiongames.about.com
2004
- Acclaim declared bankruptcy
Doom 3
![Doom 3 2004](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/doom-3-2004.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
World of Warcraft
![278927](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/278927.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
![Gta san Andreas 2004](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/gta-san-andreas-2004.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Far Cry
![Far cry 2004](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/far-cry-2004.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Half Life 2
![Half Life 2 2004](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/half-life-2-2004.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Halo 2
![Halo 2 2004](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/halo-2-2004.jpg)
Source: computergames.ro
2005
- XBox 360 is released
- Sony Playstation Portable is released
Medal of Honor - European Assault
![Medal of Honor 2005](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/medal-of-honor-2005.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
F.E.A.R.
![Fear 2005](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/fear-2005.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Age of Empires 3
![Age of Empires 3 2005](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/age-of-empires-3-2005.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Guitar Hero
![Guitar Hero 2005](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/guitar-hero-2005.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Need for Speed Most Wanted
![Nfs Most Wanted 2005](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/nfs-most-wanted-2005.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
2006
The Godfather
![The Godfather 2006](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/the-godfather-2006.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Gears of War - 2006 (on XBOX), 2007 (On Windows)
![gears](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/gears.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
![twilightprincess](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/twilightprincess.jpg)
Source: Wikipedia
Elder Scrolls IV - Oblivion
![7969_the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-20060405093901532_normal](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/7969_the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-20060405093901532_normal.jpg)
Source: IGN
Hitman Blood Money
![Hitman Blood Money 2006](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/hitman-blood-money-2006.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
Prey
![Prey 2006](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/prey-2006.jpg)
Source: steamreview.org
Heroes of Might and Magic V
![Homm 5 2006](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/homm-5-2006.jpg)
Source: www.gameogre.com
Titan Quest
![Titan Quest 2006](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/titan-quest-2006.jpg)
Source: gaming.hexus.net
2007
- Blizzard announces Starcraft II
- 3D Realms released teaser trailer for Duke Nukem Forever
Halo 3
![Halo 3 2007](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/halo-3-2007.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Super Mario Galaxy
![spmariogalaxy](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/spmariogalaxy.jpg)
Source: Wikipedia
Crysis
![Crysis](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/crysis.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Call of Duty IV - Modern Warfare
![callofduty](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/callofduty.jpg)
Source: Wikipedia
Unreal Tournament 3
![Unreal Tournament 3 2007](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/unreal-tournament-3-2007.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
FIFA 08
![Fifa 08 2007](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/fifa-08-2007.jpg)
Source: computergames.ro
The Witcher
![2111559056_c7b646feec_b](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/2111559056_c7b646feec_b.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Guitar Hero 3
![Guitar Hero 3 2007](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/guitar-hero-3-2007.jpg)
Source: mobygames.com
2008
- Blizzard announces Diablo III
Grand Theft Auto IV
![Gta 4 2008](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/gta-4-2008.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Prince of Persia
![prince_and_elika](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/prince_and_elika.jpg)
Source: Diversion Projects
Metal Gear Solid 4
![Metal Gear Solid 4 2008](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/metal-gear-solid-4-2008.jpg)
Source: flickr.com
Shaun White Snowboarding
![snowboarding](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/snowboarding.jpg)
Source: IGN
Command and Conquer 3 Kane's Wrath
![Command and Conquer 3 2008](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/command-and-conquer-3-2008.jpg)
Source: filefront.com
Madden NFL 09
![Madden nfl 09 2008](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/madden-nfl-09-2008.jpg)
Source: easports.com
Fallout 3
![Fallout 3 2008](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/11/fallout-3-2008.jpg)
Source: theforumsite.com
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
![smashbros](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/smashbros.jpg)
Source: Wikipedia
2009
- Upcoming releases for the next year
F.E.A.R. 2
![fear-2-project-origin-20081117012345569](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/fear-2-project-origin-20081117012345569.jpg)
Source: IGN
Alan Wake
![alan-wake-20081021103042120](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/alan-wake-20081021103042120.jpg)
Source: IGN
Starcraft 2 Terrans: Wings of Liberty
![starcraft-ii-20080618113844877](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/starcraft-ii-20080618113844877.jpg)
Source: IGN
Diablo 3
![diablo-iii-20081212053226492](https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/cdn-origin/uploads/2008/12/diablo-iii-20081212053226492.jpg)
Source: IGN
Written exclusively for WDD by Gyorgy Fekete
Which one is your favorite game? Share your favorites with us and let us what you think of this list!