Top 10 Video Games That Were Before Their Time

these titles were ahead of the curve you

these titles were ahead of the curve you ratted us out didn’t you welcome to

ratted us out didn’t you welcome to

ratted us out didn’t you welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be

watchmojo.com and today we’ll be

watchmojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10 video games that were before their time

video games that were before their time

video games that were before their time yes get moving for this list we’re

yes get moving for this list we’re

yes get moving for this list we’re looking at games that dared to try

looking at games that dared to try

looking at games that dared to try something new but either didn’t catch on

something new but either didn’t catch on

something new but either didn’t catch on with the gaming crowd right away were

with the gaming crowd right away were

with the gaming crowd right away were hindered by the technology of the time

if you’re looking for games that did

if you’re looking for games that did become trendsetters and revolutionized

become trendsetters and revolutionized

become trendsetters and revolutionized the industry be sure to check out our

the industry be sure to check out our

the industry be sure to check out our list on the top 10 revolutionary video

list on the top 10 revolutionary video

list on the top 10 revolutionary video games number 10 Pokemon snap this on

games number 10 Pokemon snap this on

games number 10 Pokemon snap this on Rails first-person photography game for

Rails first-person photography game for

Rails first-person photography game for the n64 would have benefited from social

the n64 would have benefited from social

the n64 would have benefited from social media think about it it’s gameplay

media think about it it’s gameplay

media think about it it’s gameplay required you to take photographs of

required you to take photographs of

required you to take photographs of Pokemon with extra points given if you

Pokemon with extra points given if you

Pokemon with extra points given if you caught them in special poses like a

caught them in special poses like a

caught them in special poses like a surfing Pikachu naturally you’d want to

surfing Pikachu naturally you’d want to

surfing Pikachu naturally you’d want to send your shots to your buddies but to

send your shots to your buddies but to

send your shots to your buddies but to do that you had to bring your gaming

do that you had to bring your gaming

do that you had to bring your gaming cartridge to a certain blockbuster store

cartridge to a certain blockbuster store

cartridge to a certain blockbuster store in your area for printing you can even

in your area for printing you can even

in your area for printing you can even bring your snap cards to a participating

bring your snap cards to a participating

bring your snap cards to a participating blockbuster video and print out stickers

blockbuster video and print out stickers

blockbuster video and print out stickers of your favorite does it look like

of your favorite does it look like

of your favorite does it look like they’re coming out today

they’re coming out today

they’re coming out today odd luck the 2007 Virtual Console

odd luck the 2007 Virtual Console

odd luck the 2007 Virtual Console re-released did feature the ability to

re-released did feature the ability to

re-released did feature the ability to save your photos to an SD card but

save your photos to an SD card but

save your photos to an SD card but that’s still not very practical

that’s still not very practical

that’s still not very practical especially if your game data was also on

especially if your game data was also on

especially if your game data was also on that card

what number nine Shenmue II I ain’t

what number nine Shenmue II I ain’t afraid of him I could take this geek

afraid of him I could take this geek

afraid of him I could take this geek Triple A titles have come to rule the

Triple A titles have come to rule the

Triple A titles have come to rule the gaming landscape and this open world

gaming landscape and this open world

gaming landscape and this open world action-adventure game for the Dreamcast

action-adventure game for the Dreamcast

action-adventure game for the Dreamcast arguably had the first triple a budget

arguably had the first triple a budget

arguably had the first triple a budget costing 47 million to make I you seem

costing 47 million to make I you seem

costing 47 million to make I you seem troubled I am this wouldn’t have been so

troubled I am this wouldn’t have been so

troubled I am this wouldn’t have been so bad if it hadn’t completely bombed at

bad if it hadn’t completely bombed at

bad if it hadn’t completely bombed at the retail seeing as there was very

the retail seeing as there was very

the retail seeing as there was very little market for it on the doomed Sega

little market for it on the doomed Sega

little market for it on the doomed Sega console I wish time I just stand still

console I wish time I just stand still

console I wish time I just stand still this is a bit of a shame since it was

this is a bit of a shame since it was

this is a bit of a shame since it was one of the earliest games where you

one of the earliest games where you

one of the earliest games where you could interact with nearly everything in

could interact with nearly everything in

could interact with nearly everything in the world and featured real-time weather

the world and featured real-time weather

the world and featured real-time weather effects a feature that was unheard on at

effects a feature that was unheard on at

effects a feature that was unheard on at the time number 8 win back covert

the time number 8 win back covert

the time number 8 win back covert operations known as operation when back

operations known as operation when back

operations known as operation when back in Europe the cobber system in Gears of

in Europe the cobber system in Gears of

in Europe the cobber system in Gears of War was cool but we can’t imagine cliffy

War was cool but we can’t imagine cliffy

War was cool but we can’t imagine cliffy B designing it without the influence of

B designing it without the influence of

B designing it without the influence of this third-person shooter for the n64

this third-person shooter for the n64

this third-person shooter for the n64 and later ps2 it was the first title of

and later ps2 it was the first title of

and later ps2 it was the first title of its genre to feature such a system as a

its genre to feature such a system as a

its genre to feature such a system as a core mechanic anticipating it by a few

core mechanic anticipating it by a few

core mechanic anticipating it by a few years

your pistol also came with a sweet laser

your pistol also came with a sweet laser sight for aiming a mechanic later seen

sight for aiming a mechanic later seen

sight for aiming a mechanic later seen in games like Metal Gear Solid 2 and

in games like Metal Gear Solid 2 and

in games like Metal Gear Solid 2 and Resident Evil 4 number 7 Deus Ex the FPS

Resident Evil 4 number 7 Deus Ex the FPS

Resident Evil 4 number 7 Deus Ex the FPS was a fairly linear genre up until this

was a fairly linear genre up until this

was a fairly linear genre up until this game which reinvented it with some use

game which reinvented it with some use

game which reinvented it with some use of nonlinear missions it also wasn’t

of nonlinear missions it also wasn’t

of nonlinear missions it also wasn’t afraid to mix Jara’s as it introduced

afraid to mix Jara’s as it introduced

afraid to mix Jara’s as it introduced some pretty restrictive RPG elements as

some pretty restrictive RPG elements as

some pretty restrictive RPG elements as well don’t believe me it’s all in the

well don’t believe me it’s all in the

well don’t believe me it’s all in the numbers most importantly though

numbers most importantly though

numbers most importantly though aspects of the story could change based

aspects of the story could change based

aspects of the story could change based on your conversations and how violent

on your conversations and how violent

on your conversations and how violent you were predating the multiple

you were predating the multiple

you were predating the multiple narratives later used by developers like

narratives later used by developers like

narratives later used by developers like telltale in their Walking Dead series

telltale in their Walking Dead series

telltale in their Walking Dead series among others you’re certainly quicker on

among others you’re certainly quicker on

among others you’re certainly quicker on the uptake and your brother Paul ever

the uptake and your brother Paul ever

the uptake and your brother Paul ever was thanks even with all the

was thanks even with all the

was thanks even with all the advancements in the genre to date few

advancements in the genre to date few

advancements in the genre to date few games can match the amount of variables

games can match the amount of variables

games can match the amount of variables and possible outcomes that the game has

and possible outcomes that the game has

and possible outcomes that the game has anticipated and planned for dodging

anticipated and planned for dodging

anticipated and planned for dodging analogs were supposed to be badass

analogs were supposed to be badass

analogs were supposed to be badass killing machines guess I was wrong guess

killing machines guess I was wrong guess

killing machines guess I was wrong guess so

so

so number 6 Metal Gear

despite kicking off one of the most

despite kicking off one of the most storied franchises in gaming history and

storied franchises in gaming history and

storied franchises in gaming history and being an early entry in the stealth

being an early entry in the stealth

being an early entry in the stealth genre the game was let down by the

genre the game was let down by the

genre the game was let down by the hardware of the time it was originally

hardware of the time it was originally

hardware of the time it was originally for the msx2 and the computers weak

for the msx2 and the computers weak

for the msx2 and the computers weak Hardware limited how many bullets and

Hardware limited how many bullets and

Hardware limited how many bullets and enemies would be on screen preventing

enemies would be on screen preventing

enemies would be on screen preventing mastermind Hideo Kojima from making the

mastermind Hideo Kojima from making the

mastermind Hideo Kojima from making the action game he had always envisioned not

action game he had always envisioned not

action game he had always envisioned not only could the titular Metal Gear not

only could the titular Metal Gear not

only could the titular Metal Gear not even move during the final fight but the

even move during the final fight but the

even move during the final fight but the dialogue had to be severely abridged to

dialogue had to be severely abridged to

dialogue had to be severely abridged to make up for the lack of memory

kijima would eventually get the chance

kijima would eventually get the chance to add a lot of dialogue in his later

to add a lot of dialogue in his later

to add a lot of dialogue in his later games though

number five star siege tribes although

number five star siege tribes although this title initiated the legendary

this title initiated the legendary

this title initiated the legendary series of squad based FPS PC games

series of squad based FPS PC games

series of squad based FPS PC games we can’t help but wish that had come a

we can’t help but wish that had come a

we can’t help but wish that had come a little bit later

it featured online only gameplay at a

it featured online only gameplay at a time when gamers were confined by 56k

time when gamers were confined by 56k

time when gamers were confined by 56k modems making for substantial lag not to

modems making for substantial lag not to

modems making for substantial lag not to mention in 1998 the concept of an online

mention in 1998 the concept of an online

mention in 1998 the concept of an online only game was pretty ambitious as many

only game was pretty ambitious as many

only game was pretty ambitious as many gamers were still apprehensive of online

gamers were still apprehensive of online

gamers were still apprehensive of online play in spite of this limitation the

play in spite of this limitation the

play in spite of this limitation the game became a pioneer of vehicle based

game became a pioneer of vehicle based

game became a pioneer of vehicle based and class based combat plus that skiing

and class based combat plus that skiing

and class based combat plus that skiing mechanic just can’t be beat number four

mechanic just can’t be beat number four

mechanic just can’t be beat number four Phantasy Star Online yet another title

Phantasy Star Online yet another title

Phantasy Star Online yet another title whose online features were also hindered

whose online features were also hindered

whose online features were also hindered by the 56k modem era this MMORPG was

by the 56k modem era this MMORPG was

by the 56k modem era this MMORPG was arguably more influential since it

arguably more influential since it

arguably more influential since it allowed cooperative gameplay on the

allowed cooperative gameplay on the

allowed cooperative gameplay on the Dreamcast at a time when online

Dreamcast at a time when online

Dreamcast at a time when online interaction on console was mostly

interaction on console was mostly

interaction on console was mostly limited to competitive modes

there were mmo’s out already for PC but

there were mmo’s out already for PC but this was on a console remember Sega

this was on a console remember Sega

this was on a console remember Sega announced that it would within the year

announced that it would within the year

announced that it would within the year create a new world it innovated even

create a new world it innovated even

create a new world it innovated even further by allowing you to find people

further by allowing you to find people

further by allowing you to find people to cooperate with through its Lobby

to cooperate with through its Lobby

to cooperate with through its Lobby system and letting you trade guild cards

system and letting you trade guild cards

system and letting you trade guild cards with them which let you email them

with them which let you email them

with them which let you email them whenever you went online

whenever you went online

whenever you went online Phantasy Star Online the gaming

Phantasy Star Online the gaming

Phantasy Star Online the gaming revolution comes in the year 2000 number

revolution comes in the year 2000 number

revolution comes in the year 2000 number 3 hunter

Grand Theft Auto was crucial in gaming

Grand Theft Auto was crucial in gaming history for its open-world mission-based

history for its open-world mission-based

history for its open-world mission-based gameplay but it and it’s precursor body

gameplay but it and it’s precursor body

gameplay but it and it’s precursor body harvest were technically already aping

harvest were technically already aping

harvest were technically already aping this action-adventure game for the amiga

it had 3d graphics and with sandbox

it had 3d graphics and with sandbox style like GTA and the combination of

style like GTA and the combination of

style like GTA and the combination of these features makes it strikingly

these features makes it strikingly

these features makes it strikingly modern by today’s standards particularly

modern by today’s standards particularly

modern by today’s standards particularly since it came out at a time when 2d

since it came out at a time when 2d

since it came out at a time when 2d games were still the norm also like GTA

games were still the norm also like GTA

games were still the norm also like GTA you could choose how you got around be

you could choose how you got around be

you could choose how you got around be it by Jeep boat or helicopter most

it by Jeep boat or helicopter most

it by Jeep boat or helicopter most impressive of all this game was put

impressive of all this game was put

impressive of all this game was put together by a single guy named Paul

together by a single guy named Paul

together by a single guy named Paul Holmes

Holmes

Holmes not too shabby compared to the huge

not too shabby compared to the huge

not too shabby compared to the huge development teams needed for today’s

development teams needed for today’s

development teams needed for today’s triple-a productions number two Jurassic

triple-a productions number two Jurassic

triple-a productions number two Jurassic Park trespasser technology available

Park trespasser technology available

Park trespasser technology available when this FPS game was released wasn’t

when this FPS game was released wasn’t

when this FPS game was released wasn’t quite prehistoric but it did limit it

quite prehistoric but it did limit it

quite prehistoric but it did limit it from reaching its full potential

it’s engine was the first to use ragdoll

it’s engine was the first to use ragdoll physics and it’s dinosaurs had movement

physics and it’s dinosaurs had movement

physics and it’s dinosaurs had movement algorithms allowing their animations to

algorithms allowing their animations to

algorithms allowing their animations to be calculated in real time 13

be calculated in real time 13

be calculated in real time 13 unfortunately many computers of the time

unfortunately many computers of the time

unfortunately many computers of the time weren’t powerful enough to faithfully

weren’t powerful enough to faithfully

weren’t powerful enough to faithfully render the game to make matters worse EA

render the game to make matters worse EA

render the game to make matters worse EA rushed the game onto store shelves to

rushed the game onto store shelves to

rushed the game onto store shelves to coincide with the VHS release of the

coincide with the VHS release of the

coincide with the VHS release of the lost world Jurassic Park

lost world Jurassic Park

lost world Jurassic Park forcing a lot of features to be cut and

forcing a lot of features to be cut and

forcing a lot of features to be cut and not leaving enough time to iron out many

not leaving enough time to iron out many

not leaving enough time to iron out many of the colossal bugs before we get to

of the colossal bugs before we get to

of the colossal bugs before we get to our number one pick let’s take a look at

our number one pick let’s take a look at

our number one pick let’s take a look at some honorable mentions

number one elite topping off our list is

number one elite topping off our list is a space simulator for various home

a space simulator for various home

a space simulator for various home computers which wasn’t quite as

computers which wasn’t quite as

computers which wasn’t quite as futuristic as its sci-fi setting but it

futuristic as its sci-fi setting but it

futuristic as its sci-fi setting but it certainly came close the open-ended

certainly came close the open-ended

certainly came close the open-ended gameplay of its eight procedurally

gameplay of its eight procedurally

gameplay of its eight procedurally generated galaxies paved the way for

generated galaxies paved the way for

generated galaxies paved the way for space combat games and sandbox style

space combat games and sandbox style

space combat games and sandbox style adventures like its 3d graphics with

adventures like its 3d graphics with

adventures like its 3d graphics with their hidden line removal were

their hidden line removal were

their hidden line removal were revolutionary for the time remember this

revolutionary for the time remember this

revolutionary for the time remember this was 1984 were talking about Return of

was 1984 were talking about Return of

was 1984 were talking about Return of the Jedi had come out only one year

the Jedi had come out only one year

the Jedi had come out only one year earlier on top of that one feature that

earlier on top of that one feature that

earlier on top of that one feature that everyone remembers was that to travel

everyone remembers was that to travel

everyone remembers was that to travel between stars you had to use a

between stars you had to use a

between stars you had to use a hyperspace jump and the title felt like

hyperspace jump and the title felt like

hyperspace jump and the title felt like a hyperspace jump for gaming

do you agree with our list how

do you agree with our list how unprofessional what game do you think

unprofessional what game do you think

unprofessional what game do you think came too soon for its own good

came too soon for its own good

came too soon for its own good for more revolutionary top 10s published

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