10 Forgotten FPS Games From the 1990s

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First-person shooter (FPS) games became incredibly popular in the 1990s, thanks to groundbreaking titles like Duke Nukem 3D, Doom, and Quake. As with any game type, many others found some success but have since been largely forgotten. It’s a shame, because a number of these older FPS games were actually quite good and could be successfully updated for modern audiences. We’ve dug through the archives to find 10 FPS games from the 90s that most people have forgotten, and we’ve listed them in the order they were originally released.

1) Heretic

Released in 1994, Heretic was created by Raven Software using the same engine as Doom, but it pushed the first-person shooter genre forward. It was innovative for its time, introducing inventory management and allowing players to look up and down – features Doom lacked. The game takes place in a fantasy world where players battle undead creatures to close a gateway to Hell. While building upon Doom‘s foundation, Heretic offered improvements, and it proved popular enough to spawn sequels. However, it eventually became less well-known than Doom. In 2025, Bethesda brought it back into the spotlight with a re-release alongside Hexen, making it playable on today’s computers and including new content.

2) Descent

Released in 1995, Descent was a revolutionary first-person shooter, being one of the first games to use true 3D graphics. It let players move in any direction – up, down, left, right, and everything in between – which created incredibly unique and engaging levels. Players fly a spaceship, blasting robots and attempting to destroy a central power source. The game also featured online multiplayer and led to two sequels. After being largely forgotten for a time, a 2015 Kickstarter aimed to bring Descent back, but legal problems led to the game being renamed Ships That Fight Underground. As of now, that revived version still hasn’t been released.

3) Jumping Flash!

The original PlayStation had powerful hardware that game creators quickly embraced. This led to the development of Jumping Flash!, initially designed as a way to showcase the system’s impressive 3D graphics. Released in 1995, it was a groundbreaking first-person platformer, though it may seem a bit outdated now. Players control Robbit, a robotic rabbit, on a quest to find jet pods. The game allowed full 360-degree movement and camera control, with a heavy emphasis on jumping. While not widely remembered today, Jumping Flash! officially holds the Guinness World Record as the first platform game rendered in true 3D.

4) Kileak: The DNA Imperative

Released in 1995, Kileak: The DNA Imperative is a first-person shooter where you play as Matt Coda, a soldier tasked with stopping a scientist’s risky experiments. Players control Coda in an armored suit as he navigates an Antarctic research base, battling enemies with a variety of weapons. The game’s story revolves around an alien whose DNA is believed to be the origin of all life. Kileak was notable for its impressive pre-rendered cutscenes on the PlayStation 1 and even received a sequel. However, it has since faded into obscurity, though it was briefly re-released on Japan’s PlayStation Network in 2015.

5) Redneck Rampage

If you were looking for a game that playfully mocks both rural stereotypes and first-person shooters, then Redneck Rampage was designed with you in mind. This parody, set in a made-up Arkansas town, playfully pokes fun at backwoods culture. Instead of typical power-ups, you’ll find things like beer, Moon Pies, and pork rinds, and the game even tracks how ‘drunk’ your character is! The story follows brothers Bubba and Leonard as they try to rescue their pig, Bessie, from an alien invasion. Redneck Rampage was quite successful, leading to sequels and related games. While the games were briefly re-released on Steam after Off-Road Redneck Racing in 2001, they largely disappeared from the spotlight.

6) X-Men: The Ravages of Apocalypse

Many games have been made based on Marvel Comics, and X-Men: The Ravages of Apocalypse is one of them. Released in 1997, it’s a first-person shooter built using the Quake engine—in fact, you need to have Quake installed to play it, as it’s essentially a visual overhaul of that game. While it includes 14 levels and some new weapons, much of the game borrows directly from Quake. This makes X-Men: The Ravages of Apocalypse feel more like an expansion pack for Quake than a standalone title. The gameplay is similar to Quake – consistent, but can become repetitive. It’s surprisingly amusing because the X-Men theme doesn’t quite mesh with the Quake world, but it’s worth playing for a bit of fun.

7) Shogo: Mobile Armor Division

Shogo: Mobile Armor Division is a fast-paced shooting game where you control Sanjuro Makabe piloting a powerful mech suit, battling across the planet Cronus. Inspired by anime and manga like Appleseed, the game boasts exciting action and a compelling story. It even features a choice that leads to a different ending, which was a rare feature for games back then. Despite being well-received and earning good reviews, Shogo never got a sequel and remains a hidden gem for many players.

8) Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Honor Guard

While many Star Trek games have been made over the years, first-person shooters are rare in the franchise. Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Honor Guard is a bit different – and surprisingly good. Built on the Unreal engine and set in the 24th century, it draws heavily from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Players take on the role of a Klingon Honor Guard tasked with preventing the assassination of Chancellor Gowron. With creative missions, solid level design, and strong combat, Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Honor Guard is an enjoyable addition to the Star Trek universe.

9) Outtrigger

The Sega Dreamcast, though it was Sega’s last gaming console, still offered some fantastic games, like Outrigger. Originally an arcade game from 1999, Outrigger came to the Dreamcast as a unique blend of first- and third-person shooting. Players take on the role of Outrigger, a member of an anti-terrorist team, and can choose to play as him, another pre-made character, or create their own with special abilities. While Outrigger was praised for its exciting online gameplay and fast action, it never received a sequel and remains relatively obscure today.

10) Requiem: Avenging Angel

Requiem: Avenging Angel takes place in Chaos, a world between Heaven and Earth, and challenges players to battle evil forces using a mix of traditional weapons and angelic abilities. It popularized the ‘bullet time’ mechanic – allowing players to slow down time to dodge attacks and unleash rapid fire – a feature later seen in Max Payne. Interestingly, Requiem introduced this mechanic in 1999, two years before Max Payne’s release. The game’s story, creatures, and overall atmosphere are deeply rooted in Christian mythology, particularly inspired by the epic poem Paradise Lost. While successful upon release, Requiem: Avenging Angel is now largely forgotten.

What’s your pick for the most underrated first-person shooter from the 1990s? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-31 21:19