While 16-bit platforms like the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo led console gaming into the ’90s, more advanced options quickly took shape. This included 32-bit consoles like the Atari Jaguar, Sega Saturn, and the original PlayStation as the industry pushed hardware capabilities forward. Some of the biggest franchises today were initially introduced as 32-bit games before evolving into the experiences we know now. The 32-bit era was made up of early 3D games along with advanced sprite-scaling that far surpassed the 16-bit consoles that came before.
With that in mind, we’re looking at the 32-bit games that best represented what this era was all about. These aren’t necessarily the best 32-bit games ever, but definitely among the most prominent from its heyday. From fighting games to early 3D platformers, these are the titles that took the industry to its next level and encapsulated the appeal of a whole generation of gamers.
One of the big trends throughout the 32-bit era was the advent of 3D fighting games, with Sega’s “Virtua Fighter.” Starting in arcades in 1993, the series would improve upon its gameplay and, most noticeably, its in-game physics with 1994’s “Virtua Fighter 2.” More than just expanding the roster, the sequel improved the visual fidelity and made its characters less floaty in midair. The game was the last title in the series ported to the Sega Saturn and among its most prominent, bundled with its North American release to boost sales.
“Virtua Fighter” makes this list over the subsequent 3D fighting game series “Tekken” because it came first and was a success in its own right. “Virtua Fighter” was incredibly influential, popularizing 3D fighting gameplay, with even established franchises taking note and following in its footsteps. This includes the stunning transformation of “Mortal Kombat” and “Street Fighter,” with both releasing their own 32-bit 3D titles in the ’90s. While not as fondly remembered as “Tekken” today, “Virtua Fighter 2” proved fighting games could work in the 3D space and were here to stay.
One of the biggest franchises to debut during the 32-bit era was “Resident Evil,” which brought the survival horror genre into the gaming mainstream. Released for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and PC, the 1996 game has a group of specialized police officers investigate attacks in the mountains. Players choose between protagonists Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they explore a remote mansion teeming with zombies and other monsters. Played from a third-person perspective, the game employs fixed camera angles and pre-rendered backgrounds to provide a more cinematic presentation and heighten the suspense.
30 years later, the original 32-bit title is still ranked among the best “Resident Evil” games as a testament to its enduring effectiveness. With its advanced presentation compared to its 16-bit contemporaries, Capcom was able to deliver something that was hauntingly atmospheric and frightening for its time. The original game’s success led to several updates, spin-offs, and a sequel in the 32-bit era alone, making up some of the best retro horror games of all time. The original “Resident Evil” holds up incredibly well and rightfully set a template that the franchise continues to hew towards decades later.
Another franchise launched in the 32-bit era was “Tomb Raider,” which began on the Sega Saturn in October 1996 before being ported to the PC and PlayStation the following month. The game introduces Lara Croft, an adventurer who delves into ancient ruins around the globe, seeking segments of a mysterious artifact. Lara is racing to recover all the pieces before a villainous mercenary, battling all sorts of enemies and bestiary along the way. The game features a mix of acrobatic 3D platforming and third-person shooter action across several distinctly labyrinthe environments.
