First-person shooters from the nineties are in a subcategory of their own, humorously dubbed as “boomer shooters” by nostalgic fans. Back then, there were trendsetters and underrated titles that deserved more attention. As time went on, so did the FPS scene, branching out into modern military shooters in the 2010s, and, in recent times, more of an emphasis on story-telling, RPG elements, open-world levels, and such.

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Thankfully, plenty of the classics have received more than just a touch-up with modern source ports that not only improved the visuals and performance but also introduced a whole heap of other cool features, making them worth playing now more than ever.

1 PowerSlave: Exhumed

Metacritic Score: 81

PowerSlave: Exhumed combines aspects of both the Sega Saturn and PlayStation versions of Exhumed (or PowerSlave outside of Europe) into one singular title. Both games had a number of differences between them, but their core DNA remained the same. It’s a Metroidvania which will have players exploring Egyptian tombs and mausoleums while destroying its recently-reanimated undead inhabitants with magical staffs and an M60.

Ambient colored lighting, fully 3D environments, and a combination of both the claustrophobic and open-level designs from each title are but some of the features that make it. The end result is like a mega-mix of the best bits, big and small, to create an ultimate version that should prove to be a stellar pick for old-school gamers.

2 Black Mesa

Metacritic Score: 84

Ever wanted to re-experience the original Half-Life with updates to… well, everything? Black Mesa was in development for 15 years, and what’s on offer admittedly teeters between ‘remake’ and ‘reimagining’. However, it has Overwhelmingly Positive reviews on Steam, so it’s certain to please.

The updated visuals, new voice acting, original soundtrack, entertaining combat with a variety of weapons, additional puzzles, updated enemy AI, and reworkings of the infamous Xen levels should scratch that itch for anyone wanting to revisit the infamous research facility in the midst of an extraterrestrial invasion once again. Plus, it offers a multiplayer mode for some old-school action.

3 Quake

Metacritic Score: 94

After DOOM and DOOM 2, there was Quake, the first ever fully 3D shooter. Highly influential, countless shooters owe it to this one - especially for its lightning-fast multiplayer mode. Now the entire game can be re-experienced, along with two expansion packs from the era alongside an additional pair of stunning chapters created by Machine Games, all in one fabulous HD release.

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Co-op and multiplayer (with console crossplay) are playable, and the Steam Workshop has even more content to try out, like the Nintendo 64 version of the game. And, to top it all off, the Nine Inch Nails soundtrack from the original game was brought back for the first time, which is an essential part of the experience.

4 Quake 2 Remastered

Metacritic Score: 90

Compared to the previous game, Quake II is a different kettle of fish in its entirety, leaning towards more of a sci-fi shooter than a Lovecraftian-themed one thanks to its weapons. Nevertheless, Quake 2 Remastered makes for an excellent port.

After all, it has the base game, along with its two expansion packs, a third bonus chapter by Machine Games, and even Quake 64 (a notably different game from the Nintendo 64 that still retained many of the base game’s assets) tossed together as well. Then there are the heart-racing multiplayer and co-op modes all intact and with console cross-play, too, and even 8-player local split-screen multiplayer for PCs (4 players on consoles).

5 Serious Sam Fusion

Metacritic Score: TBD

Serious Sam may seem like a simple shooter on the surface, but it delivers some seriously fiendish enemy encounters that require a lot of well-timed dodges and attacks. Even in its beta form, Serious Sam Fusion is one of the best ways to play the earlier entries in the series.

Both Serious Sam: The First Encounter and its follow-up can be played, along with Serious Sam 3: BFE. Not only do they all have updated HD graphics, but they serve as a hub for all three titles to be played (along with their VR versions!) seamlessly without needing to individually boot them up. Simply owning these games separately gets you this version for free as well, and with controller support, split-screen multiplayer, online servers, faster loading times, and numerous improvements galore, it’s an essential pick for retro shooter fanatics.

6 Shadow Warrior Classic Redux

Metacritic Score: TBD

While Duke Nukem was a big-seller for 3D Realms and Apogee, Shadow Warrior didn’t quite fare as well, but it garnered enough support to gain a cult following over time. While the original game is free to download, Shadow Warrior Classic Redux is still a great way to experience the oriental-themed shooter and its two expansion packs bundled together.

Similar to Duke Nukem 3D, it has one-liners, level interactivity, creative weapons, and nifty levels by the boatloads. This version, boasts controller support, vastly improved resolutions, a built-in CD soundtrack, and achievement support. It’ll make the experience all the more gratifying by a long shot.

7 System Shock: Enhanced Edition

Metacritic Score: 85

Groundbreaking’ doesn’t come close to describing how influential System Shock was to the world of gaming. Nonetheless, those eager to play an important piece of FPS history might want to consider trying out System Shock: Enhanced Edition.

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This immersive sim still holds up very well today. Its compelling story and challenging gameplay mixed with modernized changes like updated visuals, smoother performance, updated controls (mouse support couldn’t have come to a title that needed it the moment than this) and the like really make hacking computers, solving puzzles, scrounging for equipment and blasting SHODAN’s mechanical terrors all the more gripping and gratifying.

8 Blood: Fresh Supply

Metacritic Score: 77

Blood is another example of a cult-classic shooter that had an underground following since its release back in 1997. Horror tropes galore await in this darkly humorous title that has players tossing TNT bundles at zombies and hurting evil cult members with voodoo dolls in over 40 fiendishly challenging levels.

Blood: Fresh Supply packs in its respective expansion packs, reinstates its multiplayer, adds mod support, features split-screen, offers both the CD and MIDI soundtracks and smooths out the controls, so players can look up and down without tarnishing the visuals, thanks to its updated engine. Its unapologetically over-the-top violence remains faithfully intact, naturally, and its protagonist is oozing with sadistic charm.

9 Rise Of The Triad: Ludicrous Edition

Metacritic Score: 78

Rise of the Triad: Dark War was a shooter like none other, and is still unique to this day. Even when running on an updated version of the Wolfenstein 3D engine, it had bounce pads, rocket launchers galore, moving float pads that could form bridges or structures, power-ups that turned players into dogs with powerful barks, and more.

Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition, packs in the shareware episode and ultra-difficult expansion pack alongside the base game and a swell custom-made chapter. Multiplayer is reinstated with a portion of its game modes intact, along with cut enemy variations and alternate HUD designs being thrown into the mix as well. Plus, it has one of the greatest soundtracks from any FPS game of the decade (along with the Heavy Metal version from the 2013 remake). It’s truly as ludicrous as it says.

10 Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour

Metacritic Score: 77

In 2016, Duke Nukem 3D got a new re-release with all sorts of nifty improvements. While fans were not happy with Gearbox removing General Arcade’s fantastic port, Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour, that came out a few years prior, this version retains all the explosions, level of interactivity, and ego that the original became famous for.

All three episodes are present, along with the official fourth chapter and an exclusive one that takes Duke around the world to kill more alien scum. Multiplayer with bot support, Steam Workshop, re-recorded one-liners by Duke’s voice actor, improved textures, and even new songs composed by Lee Jackson (one of the original composers for the game) makes it not only an amazing title with content galore, but an essential one to play.

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