Those 3d games that stays pretty over the years

wip3out

 

Anti-aliasing and good quality textures help a game stand up later on. If you don't have those it helps if you avoided certain things, particularly humans. Games like Star Fox look fine because they are basic and machine shapes. Wip3out again I think stands up but its all a race track and ships. But older 3D games can look really bad with humanoid models. Too few polygons and low resolution textures. Though if you look at PS2 games like Soul Calibur 2, even without anti aliasing or alot of texture memory the game holds up well I think because at that point 3D was alot more mature.

In the end it all comes down to the viewer anyway. Like I can't say I would enjoy playing Atari 2600 games. Too primitive for me. But I'll play NES games. I'll play PS1 and Saturn games.

 

A bit OT, but:

Have you tried playing them in a group? I can see how people who didn't grow up with the system wouldn't rate it for solo play, but the machine really comes alive in multiplayer games like Warlords et al. With paddle games it offers 4-player support out of the box, which just about no other console had until the N64 or, more debatably, the 3DO.

To get somewhat back on topic: some unreleased 3D games for the Atari 2600 were recently unearthed and put on cart, but I haven't played them yet. They use anaglyphic red-blue 3D, IIRC, and I think it's supposed to work quite well!

 

Scud Race/Sega Super GT: That game was way ahead of its time in 1996, and I still think it looks beautiful today. It makes me weep (metaphorically) for the slow death of arcades and at how Sega has lost its former position at the vanguard of graphics technology.

Shenmue: As it has already been stated, it really created an immersive atmosphere. Not only that, it's an atmosphere that's really appealing and enjoyable.

Wave Race 64: Had some of the most amazing water simulation I've ever seen in a videogame. Absolutely stunning for a console game in 1996. While modern games have water that's technically more impressive - more polygons, higher resolution texture maps, shaders, etc. - I think Wave Race 64 is still among the most impressive simply for the effect it has on the eye. It's beautiful. It was also pretty rare to have 3D water at the time (water with dips and swells), and I find it ridiculous that many games today still use flat (albeit reflective) water.

There are many more, but that's all I feel like writing about right now.

 

Most of the games that I would say still hold up today are based on unrealistic scenarios, so don't require any additional graphical bells and whistles in order to push claims of realism.

Jet Set Radio
Crazy Taxi
Samba de Amigo
Resident Evil Remake (let down by 4:3 aspect only)
Rayman 2
Dead or Alive 2/3
Rez
Vib Ribbon

 

-Shenmue
-Project Justice
-Brave Fencer Musashi
-RE4 on Gamecube
-MGS VR Missions
-SM64

 

I have to disagree with you here. As great as Mario 64 was in the day, today the bland, featureless textures leave alot to be desired. I mean, outside the castle, the grass is one shade of green.

I agree with GOH earlier about Panzer Dragoon Orta. I played it again a couple of months ago and it still looks beautiful. Why can't we get another PD game?

 

In my opinion super runabout looks great.The stages I felt were bigger than crazy taxi and had a crazy/funny atmosphere that really help it come alive.And unlike most dreamcast games,there was alot going on screen with people and objects/animals topped off with crazy physics.

 

Most of Sega's arcade titles from the mid-to-late 90s hold up well, though SCUD Race is definitely the best example.

As for Super Runabout, that was certainly proof (if ever any was needed!) of the Dreamcast being able to technically manage a GTA style game.

Also, I'd recommend you check out Le Mans 24 Hours for even more evidence of just how incredible Sega's final console could be in the right hands...

While its visual style was heavily forced by the system's limitations, there's little doubt Mario 64 is one of the better Nintendo 64 showcases.

Finally, does anyone honestly believe flat shaded polygons ever looked good? There are many instances I can think of, but did any really stand the test of time?

 

While on the topic of N64 , I think Conkers Bad furday, really deserves a mention, it really pushed the N64 to its maximum, and still looks great by todays' standards

 

Replaying Super Mario Galaxy now (I know it's not all that old). It still looks gorgeous and is a blast to play through.

 

I totally forgot about that one - far better than Mario 64!

 

System Shock 2 character models were poor even back in the day. I wouldn't play the game today without having the SHTUP and Rebirth mods installed.

I do however understand what you mean about the game, the opening environments do look very pretty. I remember when I first played the game, and you start by exiting the tram, I actually thought it was a video that had froze on me, that's how good things looked.

 

personally, games like virtua fighter, virtua racing, daytona usa, mario 64, pilotwings still amazes me

 

star fox adventures. yes, it's pretty much "furry ocarina of time" for about 3/4 of its length, but the game itself still look pretty sweet.

 

I was gonna say just NiGHTS, but this is definitely a good candidate as well! :nod:

People are going to lambast me for this, but pah: Goldeneye 64. Every time I see it I still have that "wow, games have finally become photorealistic :-0" feeling I had back in 1997!

 

Photorealism:

Half-Life really does hold up pretty well, probably because it was one of the few FPS games at the time to actually have enviroments that sorta felt realistic.

 

Golden Eye really does look turd these days. In fact, it looked turd 10 years ago as well. Great game mind you. One game that still looks good is Dead or Alive on the Saturn.



That's an actual Saturn screen shot too. Not the Xbox remake running in higher resolution. That picture is the Saturn running in 640 x 480. Beat that PlayStation and N64

 

Yeah, DOA is quite a pretty game. So is VF2.

I think that screenshot is probably from an emulator, though.

 

Halo. Though I wouldn't anticipate Halo 2 holding up for long.