All the Games From 1997 You Should Still Be Playing

The year 1997 was a big one for video games. With the continued success of home consoles like the PlayStation and the Nintendo 64, home video gaming devices became more and more mainstream. In 1997, the industry benefited from this in a big way. Countless excellent video games hit the market in 1997. This included sequels to franchises that had already been established in earlier years. That said, 1997 also saw the debut of a series that would go on to dominate the market in later years. Gamers with an eye for history will be making plenty of visits to 1997’s video game library. Even if you’re not a dedicated gaming historian, though, there are plenty of 1997 games you should check out. Here are some of the most essential 1997 releases.

Fallout

The Fallout franchise is arguably one of the most iconic video game takes on the post-apocalypse. Recent entries like the multiplayer Fallout 76 have unfortunately tarnished the series’ legacy. However, many fans still adore the series for its unique retro-futuristic approach to total nuclear armageddon. Nowadays, Fallout New Vegas is considered a highlight for the franchise. Despite its age, though, the very first Fallout game, released in October 1997, is still well worth checking out. This old-school CRPG is renowned for the intricate choices it offers its players. Quests can be approached in a myriad of different ways, and your decisions will have a palpable effect on the game and on the world of Fallout itself. This first game is as integral to the series as the nuclear war itself, and it’s well worth your time.

Diablo

1997 was a big year for isometric RPGs, as that year also saw the debut of the now-iconic Diablo franchise. The very first game in the series was also one of the earliest releases of the year. It debuted right at the turn of the year and was even released on December 31, 1996, in some regions. The game established many hallmarks of the franchise’s grimdark lore, such as the infamous skeleton king Leoric. The player can delve into procedurally-generated dungeons and mow down hordes of demons and undead before taking on Diablo, the Prince of Evil himself. 2023’s Diablo IV saw considerable success amongst the controversy that is unfortunately forever hanging around developer Activision Blizzard. This success never would have happened, however, if not for 1997’s Diablo.

Star Fox 64

The Star Fox franchise has struggled to find its footing in recent years. Recent titles like Star Fox Zero and the crossover toys-to-life game Starlink: Battle for Atlas failed to leave an impression on fans. The series arguably peaked in 1997 with Star Fox 64. This rail shooter unsurprisingly came out on the Nintendo 64. It defined the franchise and made anthropomorphic protagonist Fox McCloud an instantly recognizable Nintendo character on par with the likes of Link and Kirby. With its branching paths and hidden bosses, the game’s relatively short playtime is bolstered by intense replayability. And if you want to give it a try but lack access to an N64, you’re in luck. Nintendo remade the game for the Nintendo 3DS with brand-new graphics in 2011.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

The Castlevania franchise is a massive name in the video game industry. It’s big enough to lend part of its title to an entire genre of games. The franchise got its start long before 1997 and it kept going long after as well. But Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, released on March 10, 1997, is still a standout title. It stars recurring protagonist Alucard, Dracula’s half-vampire son, a departure from the formula that earned it considerable interest among fans. Symphony of the Night sold poorly on launch but has since earned a considerable following, and today it’s known as one of the best video games of all time.

GoldenEye 007

Debonair British spy James Bond is a wildly famous character, portrayed by a long succession of iconic and skilled actors on the silver screen. But a whole generation of fans know the character better for changing the first-person shooter genre forever. 1997’s N64 hit GoldenEye 007 is based on the James Bond film of the same name, and today it is widely credited with popularizing first-person shooter games on consoles. Titans of the genre like Halo itself owe their success at least in part to this iconic shooter, which also demonstrated how to balance entertaining multiplayer content with a gripping and enjoyable single-player campaign.

Diddy Kong Racing

Nowadays, Mario Kart is the definitive Nintendo racing franchise. The 1997 N64 hit Diddy Kong Racing gave it some serious competition, however. As the name suggests, this racing adventure stars Donkey Kong’s iconic companion Diddy Kong and his friends as they race around Diddy’s tropical home. Players can choose between karts, hovercraft, and even airplanes as they maneuver each track. The game also includes an adventure mode, which is a remarkable distinction for kart racers of the era. You can adventure through four interconnected worlds and even race against bosses in your quest for the top.

The Curse of Monkey Island

Humor in video games is a risky proposition, and you’ll find very few gaming franchises as successful at delivering comedy as Monkey Island. 1997 saw the release of The Curse of Monkey Island, the third game in the franchise, continuing the surreal and comic adventures of Guybrush Threepwood. The third entry in the franchise is just as good at supplying laughs as its two predecessors, and it’s well worth the time even in the modern day. The franchise’s comeback in the form of 2022’s Return To Monkey Island was received well despite some considerable controversy over its new art style, so if you enjoyed that game, you should consider delving into this venerable franchise’s past with Curse of Monkey Island.

Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

This 1997 PlayStation platformer is one of the strangest entries on the list, as the name itself might suggest. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee establishes a rich fictional world where an alien species known as the Mudokons has been enslaved by the Glukkons for slave labor. The game follows a Mudokon named Abe as he escapes the factory and reconnects with his species’ rich history. The game uses avant-garde creature and world design to produce a surreal blend of comedy and deep, impactful storytelling. Abe’s Oddysee spawned a long-running series of cinematic adventures like it, and for this reason, it’s well worth revisiting in the modern day.

Final Fantasy Tactics

While the main Final Fantasy series is still going strong to this day, many fans actually prefer the spinoff, Final Fantasy Tactics. This tactical RPG made it to the United States in 1998, but it originated in Japan on June 20, 1997. It got rave reviews for its challenging and thought-provoking fight scenes. Furthermore, the game’s setting of Ivalice was so well-loved that Square Enix brought it back for future Final Fantasy installments. The Final Fantasy Tactics spinoff series this game kicked off might not have lasted as long as some dedicated fans would have liked, but the original game still has all the qualities that made its fans call it one of the best games of all time.

Final Fantasy VII

Of course, when it comes to Final Fantasy installments in 1997, Final Fantasy VII indisputably takes the cake. This game has been hailed by many as the best Final Fantasy game out there, and some even consider it the best RPG period. The rich lore of its dystopian setting deftly weaves science fiction and fantasy elements, working in serious messages about environmentalism while at the same time introducing fans to some of the most iconic characters the series would ever feature. Final Fantasy VII was important not only to the Final Fantasy series but to its own sub-series of Final Fantasy VII-related titles. Various installments have redone and built on plot elements that debuted in this game, culminating in the blockbuster Final Fantasy VII Remake series that’s still going strong today. If you’re looking for influential titles from 1997, Final Fantasy VII just might be your best choice.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Nintendo.