Believe it or not, the Super Nintendo wasn't immediately embraced by gamers when it came out. For most people, the original Nintendo was the quintessential games console, having single-handedly brought video-gaming back from the dead. Why should they upgrade to something new and scary? That's probably why ActRaiser - a platformer-empire-builder hybrid released early in the SNES life cycle - was criminally overlooked in its time. You control a fallen God who awakens from a deep sleep to find the world overcome by evil, and it's your job to restore order. The gameplay is of that gruelling Rastan/Ghosts 'n Goblins variety, with punishing bosses, and difficult platforming and combat. But there was a whole other side to the gameplay, as you had ti restore peoples' faith in you by rebuilding their civilisations, warding off disasters, and other benevolent actions. This part of the game was Sim City meets Populous, and console gamers of the time - who were used to relatively simple, non-genre-bending games - were likely baffled by its ambition. The cross-religious mish-mash of references, themes and enemies adds to the game's charming weirdness, and there is nothing quite like it that has been created to this day. What were your most underrated games of the 90s? Let us know in the comments!
Gamer, Researcher of strange things.
I'm a writer-editor hybrid whose writings on video games, technology and movies can be found across the internet. I've even ventured into the realm of current affairs on occasion but, unable to face reality, have retreated into expatiating on things on screens instead.
