The late 90s were a great time for video games. It was a time where new technology was starting to emerge, and with it came games that changed the way we played and thought about what games could be. However, some of these games seemed to disappear from the public’s memory. In this article, we’ll be exploring some of the gaming gems from the late 90s that have seemingly faded into obscurity.
1. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee (1997)
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee was released for the PlayStation in 1997, and it quickly became a cult classic. The game puts you in the shoes of Abe, a hapless employee of the RuptureFarms meat packing plant, who discovers that his fellow Mudokons are being turned into tasty treats. Abe sets off on a mission to rescue his friends and stop the evil corporate machine from turning his race into burgers.
The game’s dark story and quirky humor made it a hit with gamers, and it even spawned a few sequels. However, the Oddworld series has been largely absent from the gaming scene since the early 2000s. A recent remake of the first game, titled Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, was released in 2014, but the series has yet to recapture the same level of popularity it enjoyed in its heyday.
2. Jet Moto (1996)
Jet Moto was one of the first racing games to break away from the traditional car-centric genre. The game puts you on a hoverbike, racing through futuristic courses that include jumps, drops, and even shortcuts. With a unique control scheme that relied on the player tilting their rider to steer, Jet Moto was a breath of fresh air in the crowded racing space.
The game was a huge success, and it was followed by two sequels. However, the series has been dormant since the early 2000s. While there have been rumors of a new Jet Moto game in development, nothing has been confirmed, leaving fans to wonder if they’ll ever get a chance to race again.
3. MediEvil (1998)
MediEvil was a PlayStation game that combined action, platforming, and humor. You play as Sir Daniel Fortesque, a bony knight who rises from the dead to battle an evil sorcerer. The game’s clever writing and spooky atmosphere made it a favorite among gamers in the late 90s.
While the game did receive a sequel, MediEvil 2, and a remastered version was released for the PlayStation 4 in 2019, the franchise has not seen any new entries since. Fans have been clamoring for a new MediEvil game, but so far, nothing has been announced.
4. Gex (1994)
Gex was a platformer that starred a wisecracking gecko. The game took place in various TV-themed worlds, with Gex quipping and joking his way through the levels. The game was a hit, with sequels released on multiple platforms.
However, the franchise has not seen any new releases since the early 2000s. While the character has made some cameo appearances in other games, there has been no word on any plans for a new Gex game. Fans of the wisecracking gecko will have to settle for playing the original games or hoping for a surprise announcement in the future.
5. Blast Corps (1997)
Blast Corps is a game that’s difficult to classify. It’s part puzzle game, part destruction simulator. You play as a member of an elite demolition team tasked with destroying buildings and clearing a path for a runaway nuclear missile carrier. The game’s unique concept and fun gameplay made it a hit with gamers in the late 90s.
Despite its success, the game has never received a sequel or been ported to modern consoles. While the game is available on the Xbox One’s backward compatibility program, the lack of a modern release or update has left some fans scratching their heads.
Conclusion
The late 90s were a great time for gaming, with some of the most innovative and entertaining games released during this era. While some of these games have continued to thrive in the modern era, others seem to have been forgotten by mainstream gaming culture.
Despite their relative obscurity, these games continue to be beloved by a dedicated fanbase. Whether it’s through fan-made remakes or simply playing the original games, fans of these late 90s gems continue to keep the spirit of these games alive.
