What were the most influential computer games of the 1990s?

Video games in the 1990s were like learning to ride a bicycle; you started balancing on two wheels and ended up zooming down hills with style. These games changed how we play by adding deep stories, big worlds, and new ways to move around.

Before computers got fancy, many favorite games were simple side-scrolling adventures. You control a character who runs left and right, jumping over pits and hitting boxes. Think of it like playing hopscotch but with more levels. Games like Super Mario World or Sonic the Hedgehog were everywhere. They taught us that pressing buttons in the right order helps you win. These games felt like reading a picture book where every page has action.

Then, computers got stronger, and games started popping out of the screen. Instead of looking at a flat drawing, you could turn your head to see behind trees or under bridges. It was like stepping from a photo into a real room. Super Mario 64 let players run in all directions, not just left and right. This felt like being inside a toy house where you can open any door. Another big game, Final Fantasy VII, told a long story with moving pictures and music, making it feel like watching a movie you could control.

These games did not just entertain us; they showed us that digital worlds could be big places to explore.