For many people, their childhood was dictated by the amazing games they played. From incredible JRPGs to pulse-pounding action titles, there's no shortage of cool video games fans could get their hands on.
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Some of these games feature incredible moments that will leave a lasting impression on players. Whenever they replay these stellar games, the wave of nostalgia they experience after seeing these classic video game moments once again will leave a lasting impression on them.
The Bombing Mission
An Incredible Introduction To Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
While Aerith's death is one of the most popular moments in Final Fantasy 7, to call it the "best" of anything may be tasteless, given that players lose out on a great, magically inclined party member. However, Final Fantasy 7 is full of epic moments, with the Opening Mission being a great example of the same.
The stellar opening transitions seamlessly into the Bombing Mission, with Cloud helping Barret and the rest of AVALANCHE plant a bomb on a Mako Reactor. It's an epic setpiece that ends with an iconic boss fight against the Guard Scorpion, with Barret giving half-complete information that was hilarious and infuriating in equal measure.
The Debut Of The Flood
Halo Became Even More Memorable After This Horrifying Moment
Halo: Combat Evolved
- Released
- November 15, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
The first Halo game hit the ground running and let fans enjoy one of the best FPS games of all time. Combat Evolved's action against the Covenant was engaging enough as is, but nothing could prepare them for the onset of the Flood.
All of a sudden, Halo turns into a horror game as these parasitic aliens take over the bodies of Marines and Covenant alike to bolster their forces. It's a horrifying moment and shows why Combat Evolved had such a lasting impact on players.
Struggling To Follow The Train With Big Smoke
Hearing Him Deride CJ Is An Infamous Meme
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Released
- October 26, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
San Andreas is a game that needs no introduction, with everything from CJ's iconic lines to Big Smoke's mannerisms being memed to kingdom come. The game has its fair share of memorable moments, including Wrong Side of the Tracks, which is easily one of the most iconic missions in the series.
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It's equally hilarious and frustrating to hear Big Smoke complain if CJ doesn't help him shoot down the gangsters on the train in time. On a replay, this mission is way easier than most fans would assume, which is why players can look back fondly on this statement now instead of being taunted by it to this day.
The Nuclear Explosion Heard Around The World
Modern Warfare Became A Monumental Title For Many Reasons, Including This Moment
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Released
- November 5, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is easily the most important game in the series. The innovations made to multiplayer turned CoD into one of the most popular FPS franchises of all time, but the campaign is also brilliant in its own right.
The missions are action-packed and breathtaking, showcasing a level of spectacle that felt fresh back in the day. One of the most impactful moments in the game is when a nuclear bomb is dropped while players are evacuating, leading to a massive explosion and the death of one of the main characters as players are treated to one of the most cinematic moments in gaming history.
The Mind-Blowing Visuals Of Final Fantasy 8
At The Time, Fans Couldn't Believe What They Were Looking At
Final Fantasy 8
- Released
- February 11, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Right now, players will look at the graphics of the original Final Fantasy 8 and laugh at how old it looks. However, words aren't enough to describe just how groundbreaking these visuals looked back in the day.
Each and every Guardian Force was a treat to acquire, since players could gaze in wonder at the lengthy summon animations that were in a class of their own. This, coupled with the excellent CG cutscenes, ensured that Final Fantasy 8's visual spectacle would make up for its broken Junction system and a poorly executed story.
The Amazing CS LAN Parties
Everyone Who Played Counter-Strike 1.6 Remembers These Fond Times
Counter-Strike
- Released
- November 9, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Tactical
Counter-Strike holds a special place in the hearts of many players. Even after all the successors that have been released since, there's something about the simplicity of CS 1.6 that makes it infinitely playable to this day.
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Players remember the fond memories they shared in LAN parties that took place in their hostels or somewhere more organized. Regardless, teaming up and shooting down the opposing team while trying to accomplish objectives was a blast and ensured that Counter-Strike would leave a lasting impression in the minds of many fans.
That Moment In KOTOR
The Best "You Were The Villain All Along" Moment In Gaming
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- Released
- July 15, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Knights of the Old Republic is one of the greatest RPGs ever made that does justice to the Star Wars IP. Slowly acquiring a lightsaber and using Jedi powers never gets old, with players being able to choose either the Light or Dark Side of the Force based on their actions.
This morality system leads directly into one of the greatest plot twists of all time, with it being revealed that the player character was none other than an amnesiac Darth Revan. It was a mind-blowing plot twist that made KOTOR more memorable than ever.
"Would You Kindly?"
BioShock's Monumental Plot Twist That's In A Class Of Its Own
BioShock
- Released
- August 21, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
BioShock's incredible atmosphere and storytelling were off the charts, which is impressive given how this game has a silent protagonist. With Atlas' guidance, players were able to reach Andrew Ryan's chambers, only for this villain to reveal the truth behind Jack's brainwashing.
It turned out that Jack had to obey a command that started with "Would you kindly", with Ryan using this command to force the protagonist into clubbing him to death. Fontaine reveals himself not long after in a memorable plot twist that showed why BioShock's writing was in a class of its own back when this lauded shooter came out.
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