1997 was an excellent year for video games. We saw the introduction of truly 3D games, almost similar to today’s modern games.
Some of the famous 1997 video games were released: Resident Evil 2, Crash Bandicoot, Resident Evil: Director’s Cut, Final Fantasy VII, Gran Turismo, Grand Theft Auto, and more.
The Nintendo 64 was released in 1996, but several games came out for the Nintendo 64 that year. There were also several games for the Sega Saturn and 3DO, released in 1997.
This list covers any video game released for personal computers, handheld gaming consoles, and home consoles between January and December 1997, and any video games that have a publication date of 1997 by their respective developers despite the games being released in a later year.
One of the best ways to compare games from the past to the present is through the year they were released.
For example, if you look back at 1997 video games, you’ll notice that there were many awesome games (hello, Tomb Raider!) and way fewer features than we have now.
Remember how things were back in the day by going over the best 1997 video games below.
GoldenEye 007
GoldenEye 007 is a first-person shooter 1997 video game developed by Rare and based on the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye.
Nintendo published it for the Nintendo 64 video game console in August 1997. The game features a single-player campaign in which players assume the role of British Secret Intelligence Service agent James Bond as he fights to prevent a criminal syndicate from using a satellite weapon against London to cause a global financial meltdown.
The game includes a split-screen multiplayer mode in which two, three, or four players can compete in different types of deathmatch games.
GoldenEye 007 was developed over two and a half years by an inexperienced team that drew inspiration from other first-person shooters on the market.
The game was initially conceived as an on-rails shooter inspired by Sega’s Virtua Cop before being redesigned as a free-roaming shooter.
The game pioneered features such as atmospheric single-player missions, stealth elements, and a console multiplayer deathmatch mode.
GoldenEye 007 is considered one of the greatest video games; it received Acclaim for its campaign, multiplayer, level design, and visual presentation.
The game sold over eight million copies worldwide, making it the second best-selling Nintendo 64 game behind.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a platform-adventure action role-playing 1997 video game developed and published by Konami in 1997 for the PlayStation. It was released in Japan in March 1997 and in North America later that same year.
Simon Belmont’s descendant Richter Belmont has gone missing after defeating Dracula, so Dracula’s dhampir son Alucard awakens from his slumber and sets out to find Richter and defeat Dracula again.
While similar in gameplay to its predecessors, Symphony introduced a new style of open-ended gameplay that allows players to explore freely.
While following a linear storyline, players can use certain items to unlock new paths, which lead to alternate areas with different enemies and items.
The game also introduced role-playing elements into the series, such as experience points and character statistics.
Sid Meier’s Gettysburg!
Sid Meier’s Gettysburg! is a real-time tactical computer wargame developed by Firaxis Games and published by Electronic Arts in 1997.
It was designed by Sid Meier, the famous game designer who had previously created such classics as Pirates!, Railroad Tycoon, and Civilization.
The game allows players to control either the Union or Confederate army in the various battles of the American Civil War, from Bull Run to Fredericksburg.
The game is played at three difficulty levels, and either side can win each level. A battle can be won by eliminating all enemy units or capturing their flag and other conditions specific to each battle.
Units consist of both infantry and cavalry, and there are also artillery cannons that can bombard enemy units with cannonballs or grapeshot.
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VII is a role-playing 1997 video game developed by Square for the PlayStation console. It is the seventh main installment in the Final Fantasy series.
Published in Japan by Square, it was released in other regions by Sony Computer Entertainment and became the first in the main series to see a P.A.L. release.
The game’s story follows Cloud Strife, a mercenary who joins an eco-terrorist organization to stop a world-controlling megacorporation from using the planet’s life essence as an energy source.
Events send Cloud and his allies in pursuit of Sephiroth, a superhuman intent on destroying their planet. During the journey, Cloud builds close friendships with his party members, including Aerith Gainsborough, who holds the secret to saving their world.
PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper, the unique rhythm game first released for the PlayStation in 1997, is getting an H.D. to remaster for PlayStation 4.
The new version of PaRappa the Rapper will launch digitally on April 20 for PlayStation 4, which Sony announced today during its Paris Games Week media showcase.
The company also released a trailer that you can watch above, a great addition to our list of 1997 video games.
The new version of PaRappa the Rapper will feature high-definition graphics and improved sound quality. It’s available to preorder today at $14.99 (€14.99).
People who preorder get two exclusive avatars: PaRappa and Sunny Funny. The remaster’s soundtrack will be available separately on April 21, 2017, for $9.99 (€9.99).
Myth: The Fallen Lords
Myth: The Fallen Lords is a real-time tactics game developed and published by Bungie for the P.C. in 1997. It was later ported to Mac OS by Shockwave and then to the PlayStation in 1998.
Myth is the first game of the Myth series, followed by its sequels Myth II: Soulblighter and Myth III: The Wolf Age.
The game takes place from a third-person perspective in an isometric view. Each level has various goals that must be accomplished to move on to the next level, such as defeating all enemies or destroying a certain object.
Players control squads of troops from a top-down view of the battlefield, giving orders to individual units or groups of units via an intuitive point-and-click interface.
The player also has access to a Spirit Warrior, a character with powerful magic and combat abilities controlled directly by the player’s mouse or keyboard inputs. its amazing gameplay adds it to our list of 1997 video games
Colony Wars
In 1997, gamers were still deep into the Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 generation. The game library for all of these systems was growing rapidly, and it was a fantastic time to be a gamer.
There were several other popular games this year as well. One of my favorites was Colony Wars, which Psygnosis released in September 1997. It was very similar to Wing Commander but with better graphics and a more advanced storyline.
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II is a first-person shooter video game developed and published by LucasArts. It was released in September 1997 for Microsoft Windows and in December 1997 for the Apple Macintosh.
It is the sequel to Star Wars: Dark Forces. The story follows the mercenary Kyle Katarn as he uncovers the secrets of the Jedi. The game has been re-released on Steam, GOG.com, and Humble Bundle.
Development began with several developers from the previous title, Dark Forces, including level designer Clint Bajakian and programmer Jason Jones.
The team was led by project leader Brett Tosti and art director George Ross. A new engine known as “Jedi” was used to create more sophisticated visuals than its predecessor. Another great addition to our list of 1997 video games.
Jedi Knight was released to generally positive reviews. Critics praised the game’s graphics but criticized its multiplayer component for lacking options offered by other shooters at the time of release.
The game received multiple re-releases on digital stores, including a handheld version for iOS devices in 2009 and a port for Xbox Live Arcade in 2009, featuring updated graphics and multiplayer support over Xbox Live.
Blast Corps
Blast Corps is a demolition game released for the Nintendo 64 in 1997. The object of Blast Corps is to clear a path for an out-of-control nuclear missile carrier by destroying buildings in its way with a variety of heavy equipment. Nintendo published the game in Japan and released it on February 28, 1997.
Blast Corps is the story of an out-of-control nuclear missile carrier named the “Sunshine” that has been activated by accident. Its crew has fled, and only one person remains, a driver who cannot stop or deviate from the path of destruction.
The player controls various vehicles belonging to the Blast Corps organization tasked with destroying buildings to clear a safe path for the carrier to pass through. this is one of the best 1997 video games.
Fallout
The original Fallout, which dates back to 1997, is an iconic game. It’s a role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic world where the player takes on the role of a “vault dweller,” who is tasked with finding a water chip in their underground shelter home.
The vault dweller must then venture into the wasteland and explore the world, searching for this elusive chip.
The gameplay includes exploration, combat, and non-player character interaction. Combat is turn-based and involves the player directing their character to target specific body parts of their enemies.
The player can also target specific body parts of non-player characters, allowing greater interaction between the player and the game world.
The Curse of Monkey Island
The Curse of Monkey Island is the third game in the Monkey Island series of adventure video games. It was developed and published by LucasArts.
The game was released in 1997, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Monkey Island series.
Like its predecessors, The Curse of Monkey Island is a point-and-click adventure game played from a third-person perspective.
Like earlier games in the series, the player controls protagonist Guybrush Threepwood using an icon-based interface, allowing interaction with the environment and inventory management through simple commands such as “pick up” and “talk to.”
Interaction with other characters via dialogue trees is an integral part of gameplay, allowing for solving puzzles and making progress through conversations. excellent addition to our list of 1997 video games
Diddy Kong Racing
Diddy Kong Racing is a racing video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It was released on November 21, 1997, in Europe, on November 24, 1997, in Japan, and on November 25, 1997, in North America.
The game saw a follow-up on the Nintendo D.S., titled Diddy Kong Racing D.S., released in 2007.
Diddy Kong Racing is a racing video game where players race against each other using hovercrafts, cars, or airplanes around various tracks located in different themed worlds.
The main focus of the game is defeating the main antagonist, Wizpig. The player must complete races and challenges to earn trophies and defeat Wizpig at the end of each world.
Reviewers praised the graphics, gameplay, and soundtrack of Diddy Kong Racing but criticized it for being too similar to Mario Kart 64. Despite this criticism, Diddy Kong Racing received high sales figures and several accolades from gaming magazines.
Star Fox 64
Star Fox 64 is a 1997 video game for the Nintendo 64 video game console. The sequel to Star Fox (1993) was developed by Nintendo E.A.D., with Shigeru Miyamoto as the producer.
It was first released on April 27, 1997, in Japan and Europe, and on June 30 in North America. The game is available to play on the Wii’s Virtual Console service and 3DS Virtual Console.
The game received overwhelmingly positive reviews, mainly due to its multiplayer mode. Over 3.53 million copies have been sold since release, making it the third best-selling Nintendo 64 game behind Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64.
Star Fox 64 is a 3D scrolling shooter in which players control Fox McCloud’s Arwing fighter through the Lylat system. Players must shoot enemies while avoiding obstacles within each area.
Levels are selected via a branching path system; players can choose one of two levels after completing each one until they reach the final level, Venom.
Total Annihilation
1997 was an excellent year for video games. While the media and general public were in a frenzy over the impending end of the world (the Y2K bug), developers were hard at work crafting some of the greatest games ever seen.
Some games were hyped as much as a movie or book; others were released and became popular by word-of-mouth. Here are ten games that came out in 1997 that you should play today.
Total Annihilation: Kingdoms Total Annihilation was one of the first real-time strategy games to offer 3D graphics, which was a big deal when it came out in 1997 (it’s still quite good-looking today).
It also provided a playable tutorial that helped get you acquainted with how to build and command an army. The game also included many units for both sides, so there was always something new to try out.
The story of TA: K is set thousands of years after the original game. You choose between four different kingdoms — Darien, Veruna, Taros, or Zhon — each with strengths and weaknesses.
There are three campaigns for each side, which can be played in any order you like, and each has its large map full of enemy towns to conquer. one of the best 1997 video games.
Alundra
Alundra is an action-adventure 1997 video game released in 1997 for the PlayStation video game console. Developed by Matrix Software, it was published by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan and North America, while S.C.E.E. handled publishing duties in Europe.
The game was a runner-up for Computer Gaming World’s “Role-Playing Game of the Year” award.
Set on the fictional island of Inoa, Alundra tells the story of a young boy named Alundra who possesses unusual dreams. He learns that he can enter people’s minds and solve their problems.
As he explores his abilities, he discovers that many people are experiencing nightmares and that these have been caused by a mysterious entity known as Melzas.
As Alundra ventures deeper into the island, Melzas’ evil plan is revealed, and he discovers his destiny is to confront Melzas.
Video games have come a long way from the days of Pong, and technology has evolved to the point where it’s hard to tell the difference between real life and an animated character.
With that said, it’s important to remember where this medium started and how far it has come in such a short period.
Monster Rancher
Monster Rancher (Monster Farm in Japan) is a series of life simulation role-playing video games created by Tecmo (now known as Koei Tecmo).
The series consists of twelve games across multiple platforms. The original Monster Rancher game was released on the PlayStation and PlayStation Network in 1997, with six games being released for the main series on Sony’s consoles.
The first three games were localized in North America up until 2001. In 2013, the first three games were re-released on PlayStation Network in Japan only; they were removed from the service in 2014.
The fourth game was released on the PlayStation 2 and localized for North America. The fifth game was released for both the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo D.S. but only released in Japan. The sixth game was released for the Wii and localized in North America.
Monster Rancher has had two additional spin-off games: Monster Farm Lagoon, developed for the Game Boy Advance, which has not been localized; and Monster Rancher Explorer for mobile devices, localized for North America. Our list of 1997 video games can not be complete without this game.
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee is a platform video game developed by Oddworld Inhabitants and published by G.T. Interactive. It was released in 1997 for the PlayStation video game console and computers running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows.
The game centers on the character Abe, an enslaved person at the RuptureFarms meat processing factory.
He overhears plans from his bosses to turn him and his fellow Mudokons into food items and decides to escape. He discovers that he has latent psychic abilities that he can use to help him in his escape.
The game was initially planned as a 2D side-scrolling platformer, but problems with the development led to a change of direction.
The production team turned to 3D computer graphics to create more realistic, interactive environments and characters that could relate better with players.
The game’s original producer left shortly after this decision, leading to several delays in development. Its script went through multiple revisions before settling on its final plot.
The gameplay was inspired by games such as Another World (1991) and Flashback (1992), which have minimal dialogue or instruction given to players.
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter is a first-person shooter video game developed by Iguana Entertainment and published by Acclaim Entertainment under their Acclaim Max brand for the Nintendo 64.
It was released in 1997. The game is based on the Acclaim Comics comic book series of the same name, which follows the adventures of Native American time-traveler and warrior Turok, who must recapture eight pieces of an ancient artifact called the Chronoscepter which have been dispersed across his lost homeworld; the game takes place immediately after the conclusion of the comic book’s first story arc, during which Turok became stranded on a primitive planet inhabited by dinosaurs and other creatures.
The player controls Turok as they navigate through each level, fighting enemies, collecting keys to unlock new areas, and finding power-ups that enhance gameplay.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is a survival horror video game developed and released by Capcom originally for the PlayStation in 1996 and is the first game in the Resident Evil series.
In 1998 (1996 in the Japanese version), the story takes place in a fictional Midwestern rural town called Raccoon City, which zombies have secretly overrun.
The player takes control of either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, both members of an elite task force known as S.T.A.R.S.; their objective is to uncover the mystery behind the zombie infestation and escape Raccoon City alive.
The game was successful, becoming one of the best-selling video games and spawning a multimedia franchise consisting of manga comic series, novels, films, and soundtracks of original music.
Resident Evil was re-released for Microsoft Windows and GameCube under the “Director’s Cut” moniker in 1997 and 1998, respectively; these versions added a new difficulty setting and extra cutscenes that expanded upon specific plot details.
A remake of the same name was released for GameCube in 2002, which featured substantial changes from its predecessor, such as 3D graphics and altered puzzles but remained faithful to its story and setting. It was later ported to Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U.
Bushido Blade
A massive game this size is an ambitious undertaking for Square. The game will include a variety of character personalities, and each character will have a unique fighting style.
Bushido Blade’s nonlinear gameplay allows players a choice of multiple paths through the game. Not only can you choose your way, but you can also choose your enemies to fight and which weapons to use.
An additional level of strategy will be provided by the ability to customize your weapon with different hilts and blade types offered between stages.
The level of detail in Bushido Blade is quite impressive. Even the slightest movements on the controller will affect the characters’ actions onscreen.
If you move the joystick slowly, your character will perform slow attacks; short, quick attacks will be performed instead if you tap it quickly.
Of course, some attacks can be achieved by pressing two buttons at once and directions on the joystick.
Some of these moves may take a while to master, but they can prove critical against certain opponents.
