10 Action Games That Defined Generations

Action games helped shape the video game industry as we know it today. Long before gigantic open worlds, battle passes, and constant updates, it was these games full of explosions, frantic levels, and intense combat that kept players glued to their TVs or computers for hours.

Some became legendary for revolutionizing entire genres, while others simply nailed the gameplay and charisma so well that they've endured for decades without losing relevance. And whether we're talking about first-person shooters, espionage, hack-and-slash, or enemy-filled platformers, all these titles have left an important mark on gaming history.

Let's talk about ten action games that made history, and if you have any questions, leave a comment.

When we talk about FPS games, it's practically impossible not to start with Wolfenstein 3D. Released by id Software in 1992 for MS-DOS computers, the game put the player in the role of soldier BJ Blazkowicz, infiltrating Nazi castles full of soldiers, secret passages, and labyrinthine corridors.

At the time, the sensation of movement in "3D" seemed absurd, even with graphics that were extremely limited by today's standards. The game relied on fast-paced action, exploration, and a frenetic rhythm that helped transform FPS games into one of the most popular genres in the industry. Furthermore, Wolfenstein 3D was a huge success in the shareware model and established several foundations that would be used in virtually all subsequent shooters.

If Wolfenstein opened the door, DOOM practically brought down the entire wall. Released by id Software in 1993 for MS-DOS, it's the beginning of the Doom Slayer saga, which, nowadays, has achieved legendary status after spending years trapped in hell. The fast pace, the claustrophobic corridors, the heavy arsenal, and the aggressive soundtrack helped DOOM become a gigantic cultural phenomenon in the 90s.

The game also popularized elements that would become standard in modern FPS games, such as multiplayer deathmatch and the strong presence of the modding community. To this day, DOOM continues to be remembered as one of the most influential games in history and one of the main reasons for consolidating the FPS genre.

Before becoming an over-the-top FPS icon in the 90s, Duke Nukem started as a 2D platform game released by Apogee Software in 1991 for MS-DOS. The character already had that personality inspired by action movie heroes of the time, facing the villain Dr. Proton, who prevented him from watching the Oprah Winfrey show.

But the game that launched Duke to stardom was the one that took the hero from a destroyed Los Angeles to lunar bases and futuristic settings. Although many people remember Duke Nukem 3D more, the original game already established the irreverent humor, the exaggerated style, and the identity of the franchise. Besides the constant action, the game also stood out for its varied scenarios and lighthearted tone, something that helped differentiate it from other titles of the time.

It's a shame that Duke Nukem Forever, released in 2011, was in development for so many years that, when it reached the public, the humor that made the character famous felt extremely dated, and the game didn't offer anything interesting or new to justify the fourteen-year wait.

Contra was one of the coolest games you could play on the Nintendo 8-bit. Released by Konami in 1987, the game put soldiers Bill Rizer and Lance Bean on a suicide mission against alien forces on a remote island. The premise was simple: run, shoot everything in sight, and survive the hail of bullets and enemies on screen, because if anything touched you, you died. No health bar, no armor, no chance.

The game became famous not only for its high difficulty, but also for the famous Konami Code, which gave extra lives to players desperate to reach the end. With cooperative action, varied enemies, and plenty of shooting, Contra helped solidify the run-and-gun genre and became one of the biggest references in 8-bit era action games.

Released in 1996 by Core Design, Tomb Raider helped popularize 3D action-adventure games and transformed Lara Croft (initially called Indiana Jane) into one of the most famous characters in the gaming industry. The British archaeologist traveled through ancient tombs, ruins, and exotic settings in search of lost artifacts while facing traps, wild animals, and mercenaries.

The game blended platforming, exploration, combat, and puzzles in a way that seemed extremely modern at the time. Furthermore, the 3D graphics were quite impressive for 1990s standards, especially in the PlayStation and PC versions. Not to mention the massive distribution of CDs containing the game in magazines and the sharing of the installation file from one computer to another.

The success was so great that Tomb Raider became one of the most important franchises in the industry, surpassing the mark of over 100 million copies sold over the years.

When we talk about action games that truly defined generations, Space Harrier often gets forgotten amidst bigger names, but historically it was far more important than many people remember today. Released by Sega in 1985 for arcades and developed by Yu Suzuki, the game helped create that feeling of absurd speed and cinematic action in pseudo-3D long before true 3D became standard in the industry.

The player flew through simulated three-dimensional environments while dodging obstacles and destroying gigantic enemies at a frenetic pace that was incredibly impressive for its time. The Super Scaler technology used by Sega allowed for enormous sprites, a sense of depth, and extremely high speed, transforming the arcade into a visual spectacle.

And its impact went far beyond the game itself, as Space Harrier helped usher in the entire era of Sega's "Super Scaler Games", directly influencing classics like Out Run, After Burner, and Hang-On, as well as serving as a visual and structural basis for several Japanese shooters and rail shooters that would emerge years later.

GoldenEye 007 was one of the games that proved FPS games could work extremely well on consoles. Besides being fun, the game also allowed for four-player gameplay, and the Nintendo 64 controller, which had a trigger on the back, provided an even more immersive experience.

Developed by Rare and released for the Nintendo 64 in 1997, the game put the player in the role of James Bond in missions inspired by the 1995 film.

The title drew attention for its varied campaign, full of different objectives and scenarios scattered around the world, but it was the split-screen multiplayer that truly transformed the game into a legend.

For years, GoldenEye became a must-have at gatherings with friends thanks to its extremely fun competitive matches. Furthermore, the game introduced aiming and control systems that influenced virtually all FPS games released later on consoles.

Shinobi was one of the games that helped solidify the image of the "video game ninja" during the late 80s and early 90s. Released by Sega in 1987 in arcades, the game put the player in control of Joe Musashi, a modern ninja who confronted criminal and terrorist organizations using shurikens, hand-to-hand combat, and special ninjutsu techniques.

While many games of the time focused solely on frenetic action or simple platforming, Shinobi blended speed, precision, and stylized combat inspired by Japanese action films, creating a very unique rhythm.

The game also stood out for its visuals, featuring urban settings, industrial bases, and temples that helped build a more modern identity for the franchise. But it was on the Genesis that Shinobi truly became a Sega icon, especially with The Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III, games that impressed with their large sprites, fluid animations, extremely fast action, and Yuzo Koshiro's memorable soundtrack, helping to transform the series into one of the most important action franchises of the 16-bit era.

God of War arrived on PlayStation 2 in 2005, bringing one of the most violent and memorable protagonists in video game history: Kratos. Created by Sony Santa Monica, the game mixed hack-and-slash action, Greek mythology, and an impressive cinematic scale for its time. After being betrayed by Ares and losing his family, Kratos embarks on a brutal journey of revenge using the Blades of Chaos to slaughter gigantic mythological creatures.

The game combined fast-paced combat, environmental puzzles, and epic battles against enormous bosses in monumental settings. Beyond its critical acclaim, God of War quickly became one of the most important franchises on the PlayStation and helped define the standard for cinematic action games in the 2000s.

Halo: Combat Evolved was practically the game that defined the first Xbox. Released in 2001 by Bungie, the futuristic FPS put players in control of the supersoldier Master Chief in a war against the alien alliance Covenant inside a gigantic ring-shaped structure called Halo.

The game revolutionized console shooters by offering fluid combat, enemies with advanced artificial intelligence, usable vehicles, and an extremely popular LAN multiplayer mode. The relationship between Master Chief and the artificial intelligence Cortana also helped create a much more memorable narrative than most FPS games of the time. Its success was enormous, and Halo ended up becoming one of Microsoft's most important franchises and one of the biggest references in the genre to this day.