What do the games Tempest 2000, Earthworm Jim and Samurai Shodown II all have in common? These three amazing games were all reviewed in 1995, but they were NOT that year's best games. At least, not according to NEXT Generation magazine, who gave all three of these all-time classics four stars out of five. As crazy as it sounds, NEXT Generation gave 17 different games a higher score than Daytona USA and Ridge Racer. I'm talking about the perfect five-star rating, and today we're going to go through all of these reviews to see what makes them worthy of this coveted prize. This is NEXT Generation's Five-Star Reviews, and these are the 17 best games of 1995.
Alpine Racer (Arcade)
#1
“Executing an original approach with its newest coin-op title, Alpine Racer, Namco has achieved something truly pleasing to see. Bringing snow into the arcade, that's one thing, stepping out on a limb with a single-player skiing game that looks more like a tread mill, well, that's also worth contemplating. But by being both an innovative new sports game and simulation, this title holds the strong potential to attract both sexes in equal measure. Next Generation reporters were waiting in line behind both men and women eager to step up and try their legs on the steep polygonal, teature-mapped slopes, complete with moving gondolas, enchanting mountainous backdrops, mixed rock and icy stretches, and harrowingly steep passages that create a sense of dizziness and speed. Because of its atypical approach and its success in execution, Namco's Alpine Racer makes the grade, and lowers the price of skiing in the process.”
Apache (PC)
#2
““Wild” Bill Stealy, one of the founders of sim-giant Microprose, is back and it's no surprise that Interactive Magic's first project is a stunningly realistic simulation of one of the most complex military aircrafts of all time – the weapon-packed AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter. Just getting the thing to fly without plunging into the ground takes skill and practice, to say nothing of staying alive in a hostile environment. In a concession to the Doom generation, though, there is an Arcade mode in the game that greatly simplifies the control and enables you to get up and kill quickly. Overall, the combination of extreme realism in the flight model with satisfying scenarios puts Apache very near the top of the simulation heap.”
Blade Force (3DO)
#3
“This isn't the first release from Studio 3DO, but it is the most significant for a number of reasons. At a time when 3D, polygon-based, texture-mapped environments are becoming de rigueur, show-off standards among the newer next gen consoles, it begs the question: Just how can the aging 3DO keep up? If Blade Force is any indication, we are pleased to answer the question: Just fine. Granted, the technical limits of 3DO compared to Saturn or PlayStation are apparent – the textures are simpler, and the draw-in horizon is much closer than you'd see on other systems, but it's a testament to the Blade Force design team that you simply wouldn't notice or care unless you looked. This is easily one of the best games ever made, for the 3DO or any system.”
Command & Conquer (PC)
#4
“Touting a hard-hitting soundtrack and some lightning-fast action, Command & Conquer turned out to be worth the wait. Although the graphics are a bit clunky, the gameplay is smooth as silk. Unit control is simple and intuitive, similar in many ways to the company's previous hit, Dune II, while strategy remains deep and complex. Multimedia audio and full-motion video cut-scenes add tremendous amounts of depth to a game that is already fun and dangerously addictive. All in all, Command & Conquer is a game that any strategy fan has to pick up.”
Cruis'n USA (Arcade)
#5
“After the confined loops of Daytona USA and Ridge Racer, Midway/Nintendo head back to the open road in Cruis'n USA for coast-to-coast racing. Two things to remember: 1) this game is (new word, folks) “home-perfect.” Supposedly (and there's some doubt) based on the Ultra 64 hardware, this is exactly the same game you'll play at home in fall '95; 2) with 14 varied stages, eight cars and multiple start points, Cruis'n offers real long-term play outside the arcades. While less graphically impressive than its rivals, Cruis'n USA is the OutRun sequel Sega should have done, and is our pick for the driving crown.”
FIFA International Soccer (3DO)
#6
“More than any other game, FIFA International Soccer will make you glad to own a 3DO system. In terms of technical achievement, this is the “killer app” graphics show-horse that Trip & Company have been waiting for. And it's a great game, too. Using a slick, rotating-camera effect, complete with multiple views and more detailed player graphics, the new FIFA delivers an improved, realistic feel without sacrificing the friendly interface and flawless two-player action that made the original so popular.”
Interactive Fiction Collection (PC)
#7
“Remember the classic Infocom text adventures of the ‘80s? Simply put, these are some of the greatest adventure games of all time. Now, Activision has again released the games in a series of five collections – Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure, Sci-Fi and Comedy. Each has four to six games and two bonuses, Planetfall and a Zork installment. If you buy all these packages, you can get every Infocom game you would ever want to play, and the complete Zork series. From the slow building terror of The Lurking Horror to the surreal wordplay of Nord and Bert, we can't recommend just one title – if you want to have anything approaching a complete game library, you'll need to grab all of these.”
Jumping Flash! (PlayStation)
#8
“In these early PlayStation days, we will no doubt get a good idea for the heights the machine will stretch. Many of the boundaries have been redefined in a big way with this game. Jumping Flash! is just the kind of game that will legitimize a new console in a hurry. From concept to execution, everything here is simply superb. There is no escaping the cute factor in this game, but never has there been just a fine excuse for cuteness. The game must be played to be truly understood.”
Mortal Kombat II (Super NES)
#9
“The once “child-safe” Nintendo actually called up Acclaim to ensure an equally bloody version of Mortal Kombat II. As a result, this is the first Nintendo game ever to carry a content rating on its box. This SNES version is unquestionably better than the Genesis cart in every way. The graphics are richer, the sound is deeper, and the control is smoother. Almost every secret trick has been ported over as well, with at least ten more codes added just for this version. With full creative license, Acclaim has produced probably the best arcade conversion ever.”
NBA Live '95 (Super NES)
#10
“Last year, Electronic Arts dropped the “Bulls vs. Whomever” heading, and changed the game completely for this '95 release. A new engine features smoother, faster players and a new, off-basket perspective. Every official rule is now included, and the NBA team and players licenses are again used. Shooting has a much better feel, there's a turbo speed feature (similar to the one in NBA Jam), and some neat finishing touches, like random stats after scoring and taunting after a dunk. Live '95 emerges as the best basketball sim available.”
NHL '96 (Genesis & Super NES)
#11
“NHL '95 on the Genesis was arguably the best sports simulation product ever. Instead of messing with near perfection, EA added new features and changed the look a bit, and the superb gameplay of the '95 version has only improved. The additions are subtle and effective: players have a new sharper look and are starting to resemble humans, as opposed to blocks of pixel; sound was enhanced with more effects like the slamming door of the penalty box; and the computer opponent is a bit tougher, so that winning every game isn't as easy as it used to be. The only thing possibly wrong with this game is that every other sports game in your library may pale in comparison.”
Super Bomberman 2 (Super NES)
#12
“The first SNES Bomberman managed to gather a decent following, mostly due to word of mother. The second game doesn't play much differently from the first, with slightly enhancements to the one-player mode and a few new stages in the Battle mode. The basic Bomberman structure has changed very little. As a one-player game, Super Bomberman 2 is OK, but it's an absolutely incredible multiplayer game. The more players that join in, the more fun the action becomes as up to five bombermen run around trying to blow each other away. This is truly God's perfect party game.”
Virtua Fighter Remix (Saturn)
#13
“When a new hardware system hits the market, there is always a bit of flashy software created to grab everyone's attention. Does anyone remember Actraiser for the Super NES or Sewer Shark for the Sega CD? While these games perform a valuable service, the first few games for a new system are, in the long run, not going to be terribly impressive because of the developer's inexperience with the system. A perfect example of this phenomenon is Virtua Fighter for the Saturn. At first glance, the game looks good, and it certainly plays well, but the truth is that the game is full of glitches and sub-par performance standards. Enter Virtua Fighter Remix. Perhaps never in video game history has a problem such as Virtua Fighter been so quickly and thoroughly corrected. Virtua Fighter can now trade blows with the likes of Tekken and, yes, even Battle Arena Toshinden, although the fighting styles are still vastly different.”
Virtual Pool (PC)
#14
“Virtual Pool looks so simple on the surface that it'd be easy to overlook what's really going on underneath, but just a few minutes of play will reveal the title to be one of the most impressive games on the market. Interplay has dressed Virtual Pool up with some multimedia chrome – videos on the history and theory of the game – but it could just as easily have left it out. The core of Virtual Pool, the game itself, is as close to perfect as a PC game can get. And the variety of games available, plus the multiplayer options, make it a great deal.”
Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger (3DO)
#15
“The premiere space combat sim for PC arrives on 3DO, and it's everything you could have hoped for. Origin pulled out all the stops when it put this one together. Gone are the animated pilots of Wing Commander I & II. Instead, Origin brought in real star power: Mark Hamill, John Rhys-Davies and Malcolm MacDowell top the list of recognizable actors and all make a big difference in realism. Flight is noticeably less smooth, and also seems less challenging somehow than the PC version, but it still flies extremely well. If you can't afford to play Wing Commander III on a 100 MHz Pentium with CD-ROM, this makes a more than acceptable alternative, and is the best 3DO game of the year.”
wipEout (PlayStation)
#16
“There have been a number of next generation games with their share of flash, but not much substance. WipEout stands tall above these titles with more flash and substance than most games were ever meant to have. Set in the future, this hovercraft racer boasts some of the best looking landscapes seen to date, with equally exquisite tracks resting gracefully in the hills and valleys of each environment. WipEout is, in every way, an exhilarating game with a real feeling of quality through and through. If there's anything left in the racing genre to look forward to now, it's a sequel. A new high-water mark has been set with Psygnosis' WipEout.”
World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders (Sega 32X)
#17
“Arguably the best baseball series on the market, World Series Baseball '95 has made its way to the 32X. And everything that made World Series Baseball for the Genesis the best baseball game ever is here. This title features all 28 stadiums, up-to-date rosters, a full season, drafting, all-time greats, stats, and even an all-star game based on players' performances from the season you play. World Series '95 for the 32X isn't much better than its 16-bit counterpart, but it's easily the best baseball game available. This one won't disappoint.”
