Summary
- Revisit the best puzzle games of the ’90s, each with engaging brain-teasers, fun ideas, and timeless gameplay.
- Puzzlers like Myst and ChuChu Rocket introduced groundbreaking concepts that went on to define many of the genre’s staples.
- Other titles, like Dr. Mario and Tetris Attack, put new spins on the tile-matching format and are still a blast to play.
Puzzle fans have no shortage of excellent video games to play today, but sometimes, it’s nice to go back to where it all started. The ’90s was a fantastic decade for the puzzle genre, debuting many revolutionary titles that would go on to inspire countless games that came after.
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Whether you lived through it or your nostalgic for a youth you never witnessed, these games will give you a taste of what the ’90s were all about.
Of course, when it comes to retro games, some have aged better than others. Thankfully, each year of the ’90s had at least one standout puzzler that’s still fun to play all these years later. If you’re looking for a blast from the past, the following puzzle games are the very best of their respective years.
10
Dr. Mario
Launched In 1990
Dr. Mario
Mario’s first-ever puzzle game just so happens to be one of his best. In Dr. Mario, you defeat viruses by stacking three medicine capsules of the same color on top. With each passing level, the number of viruses increases.
Simply put, Dr. Mario’s gameplay is timeless. The concept is easy to learn yet difficult to master, making it ideal for puzzle aficionados and complete newcomers. Since its debut, the game has been ported and remade countless times. And who could forget that iconic “Fever” song?
9
Lemmings
Launched In 1991
Lemmings
- Released
-
January 1, 1991
- Developer
-
Psygnosis, Rockstar North, Sunsoft, Team17, Rockstar Lincoln, DMA Design
- Publisher
-
Psygnosis, Rockstar North, Sunsoft, Team17, Rockstar Lincoln, DMA Design
If you grew up in the ’90s, you’ve probably at least heard of Lemmings. The goal is to guide a group of people to the end of each stage by assigning tasks to them, including climbing, digging, etc. Once you’ve created a safe path to the exit, you’re on to the next level.
Lemmings was a smash hit when it launched and is now celebrated as a must-play retro game. The strategic gameplay, satisfying difficulty curve, and cleverly designed brain-teasers blend together perfectly. It’s still just as fun today as it was in 1991.
8
Fire ‘N Ice
Launched In 1992
Also known as Solomon’s Key 2, Fire ‘n Ice is somewhat of a hidden gem in the NES library. Take control of a wizard named Dana, who must create and push ice blocks to put out each fire in the stage. Don’t let the cute art style fool you; some of these puzzles are real head-scratchers.
Fire ‘n Ice was ahead of its time in many ways. You can play the first nine worlds in any order, and there’s even a level editor that lets you design your own puzzles. Don’t sleep on this underrated classic.
7
Myst
Launched In 1993
- Platform(s)
-
macOS
, PC
, PS1
, PSP
, Sega Saturn
, Nintendo DS
, 3DS
, Switch
, Xbox One
, Xbox Series X
, Xbox Series S - Released
-
September 24, 1993
- Developer(s)
-
Cyan Worlds Inc
- Publisher(s)
-
Broderbund
Before The Sims came along, Myst was the highest-selling PC game, and it’s easy to see why. The game places you on a mysterious island filled with foggy swamps, abandoned cabins, and strange machines. With little guidance or hints, you must rely solely on your wits to solve the island’s puzzles and unravel its mystifying lore.
Myst is widely considered one of the most influential retro puzzlers. Its pre-rendered backgrounds were stunning for the time, and its eerie atmosphere created an unrivaled sense of immersion. Since its debut, the game has received several ports, remakes, and even a VR adaptation.
6
Donkey Kong ’94
Launched In 1994
Donkey Kong (1994)
- Released
-
July 22, 1994
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo EAD
, Pax Softnica
As the precursor to the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, Donkey Kong ’94 reimagines the duo’s first arcade outing as a puzzle platformer. The goal is to guide Mario to a key and bring it back to the beginning of the stage. It’s easier said than done, since there are many enemies, obstacles, and platforming challenges in your way.
There’s a lot to love about this game, from its stellar level design to its staggering amount of content. Not to mention Mario’s versatile moveset, which feels beyond incredible given the Game Boy’s limitations.
Donkey Kong ’94 happens to be my all-time favorite Game Boy game. I’d highly recommend it if you can find a copy.
5
Tetris Attack
Launched In 1995
Tetris usually needs no introduction, but Tetris Attack is a little different. This game is a reskin of a Japanese puzzler called Panel de Pon, replacing the characters and locations with those from Yoshi’s Island. Stacks of multicolored blocks slowly rise from the bottom of the screen, and it’s up to you to make matching rows before they reach the top.
Overall, the game has aged pretty well. The gameplay is a refreshing departure from the usual block-stacking format, and the adorable art style gives the experience a cozy vibe. Plus, the character roster is surprisingly diverse, featuring fan favorites like Lakitu and Poochy.
4
Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo
Launched In 1996
Street Fighter and tile-matching puzzles don’t seem like the most obvious combination, but Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo manages to pull it off. Pairs of gems fall from the sky, and it’s your job to match them by color. The catch? You can only destroy rows by placing a Crash Gem of the same color on top.
The game initially launched for arcades before hitting the PS1 and Sega Saturn to universal acclaim. The charming art style, adorable chibi characters, and endlessly replayable gameplay make it a joy to play solo or with a friend.
3
The Curse Of Monkey Island
Launched In 1997
The Curse of Monkey Island
- Released
-
November 11, 1997
No one makes point-and-click games like LucasArts, and The Curse of Monkey Island is the cream of the crop. Take control of Guybrush Threepwood as he tries to remove a curse placed on his wife by the dreaded pirate LeChuck.
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The game excels for many reasons, including its witty sense of humor, rewarding puzzles, and unbelievably charming animation style, which still looks impressive today. If you’re looking for something silly and lighthearted with just the right amount of challenge, The Curse of Monkey Island is definitely worth a try.
2
Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus
Launched In 1998
A sequel to the first Oddworld game, Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus is a sci-fi puzzle platformer with challenging brain-teasers and a bizarre yet fascinating story. You control an alien named Abe, who’s on a quest to save his people from the tyrannical Glukkons.
Most puzzles utilize Abe’s diverse abilities, including his GameSpeak power, which can be used to control NPCs to perform actions for you. Plus, the quick save feature and lack of a life system were way ahead of its time. Overall, it’s one of the best puzzle platformers you can play.
1
ChuChu Rocket
Launched In 1999
ChuChu Rocket!
- Released
-
November 11, 1999
- Developer(s)
-
Sonic Team
If you’re looking for a good party game, you can never go wrong with ChuChu Rocket. The objective is to guide hoards of mice into your rocket by placing arrows on the ground. You need to be careful, though, because you lose points if a cat sneaks in.
The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, making it a blast to play with a group of friends. But above all else, ChuChu Rocket is notable for being the first Dreamcast game with online multiplayer. At the time, you could even create and upload your own puzzles for others to play.
