The House of the Dead (1996) was alongside Resident Evil (1996) as one of the games that reinvigorated something of a zombie craze in video games. While Resident Evil was a much more nuanced and slower paced horror affair, The House of the Dead was far more bombastic and fast paced game. Resident Evil was a console smash-hit, but Sega’s The House of the Dead was a coin-operated success story…

Everyone loves an underdog. Everyone loves hearing the story about the longshot that managed to overcome the odds and become a hero. Perhaps mirroring the game’s own story of coming from a humble beginning to achieve great things, Baldur’s Gate was a game that defied the expectations...

1998 was a World Cup year, and as you’d expect with the world’s largest sporting event there were a plethora of games to tie in to the occasion. World Cup ‘98, FIFA ‘99 and Actua Soccer 3 were just some of the titles that were contending with International Superstar Soccer ‘98 (ISS for short) for the proverbial Football Game of the Year cup…

Pro wrestling was hot in the late 90s. Pro wrestling was positively on fire in the late 90s. After the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) had dominated most of the 80s with a national expansion and major pay-per-view events such as Wrestlemania, the public would be forgiven for thinking that the industry was something of a one-horse race. But things changed very quickly in 1995…

Have you ever been so angry that you wanted to throw an arcade cabinet at someone?

It was a long time between drinks for the Railway Tycoon franchise. The original Sid Meier’s Railroad Tycoon was released all the way back in 1990! Eight years on, and the original game had garnered quite a reputation for itself, and it was well deserved, being one of the earlier examples of a ‘business simulator’. The game was a commercial success and praised for the in-depth, but addictive gameplay. There would be quite a bit of pressure on a sequel to live up to the name, but thankfully Railroad Tycoon II not only met, but exceeded these expectations…

Wetrix is one of those games that comes along every so often that just exemplifies the idea that sometimes the most simple concepts can be the most fun… and addictive. Picture something akin to Tetris, but on a 3D plane with a lot of rainfall and you’ll be on the way to Wetrix…

Was the role playing Might & Magic series gone for good by 1998? Might & Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven would prove there was life in the old dog yet, and was well worth the wait…

The land of Legendria is once again in peril. Huge armies will cross the country in the name of conquest and fulfilling prophecies, alliances will be formed and shattered and the mettle of every leader and their kingdom will be tested…

One cannot talk about Fallout 2 without talking about the first game in the franchise, 1997’s excellent Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game. The two games share a lot of features, mechanics and even graphical assets, and both are outstanding examples of the Computer RPG (CRPG). Fallout and Fallout 2 stand shoulder to shoulder as standouts in the history of PC gaming…

Every time you start a new game in Anno 1602 you’re met with a combination of anxiety and excitement. You are but one of a cluster of ships, surrounded by miles of water and a small handful of unexplored islands nearby…

Metal Slug is a series almost as synonymous with SNK as their stellar fighting game franchises. It’s definitely a game that’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind when they think of arcade run n’ gun shooters. The sequel to such a legandary game would have to be awesome, and thankfully, Metal Slug 2 will blow you away…

The Need for Speed franchise began in a relatively unsuspecting way, with a release on the ill-fated 3DO platform in 1994. The game notably featured real-life supercars like the Acura NSX, Dodge Viper and Lamborghini Diablo, and for pitting these cars in illegal street races. The Need for Speed was soon ported to PC, Sony Playstation and Sega Saturn, and would receive critical praise and become a commercial success…

1998 saw both NFL Blitz get ported to home consoles, as well the sequel, NFL Blitz ‘99 appearing in arcades, the first sequel in what would become a long running and iconic franchise…

The Sega Saturn would be “going out in a blaze of glory” with the release of Panzer Dragoon Saga according to Computer & Video Games Magazine #197. Indeed, many consider this title to be something of a swan-song for the console, which by 1998 was approaching the very end of its lifespan outside Japan. No, it would not be the last official release for the system in any region, but it was a culmination of years of hard work and love to wring everything out of Sega’s beloved console by the developer, Team Andromeda…

Developed during the same period of time as Capcom’s Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, SNK’s Fatal Fury: King of Fighters released in 1991 as one of the pioneers of the modern fighting game. The series would prove to be a hit for SNK and with fighting game fans, and by 1998 Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers was the seventh game in the franchise, and the third and final game of the Real Bout sub-series.

Marvel vs Capcom is the product of a long line of fantastic fighting titles from Capcom, and simultaneously the genesis for a new series…

The final part! Nick Thorpe had quite the 1998 when it came to gaming, as you can read about in part 1 and part 2 of this interview. However, what of the games that were released in 1998? There’s no shortage of titles to choose from, but in the opinion of a long-time gamer and games journalist, what were Nick’s picks?

Part two of my interview with Retro Gamer journalist and all-round nice guy, Nick Thorpe! This time we talk about Sonic Adventure, magazines and handhelds!

It’s difficult to convey just how much excitement was surrounding the release of Sonic Adventure in 1998…