Best zombie games of the 1990s

Zombie games have always been a popular genre in gaming, as who wouldn't want to blast through hordes of the undead with a whole arsenal of different weapons at their disposal? Series such as Dead Rising and Resident Evil stand out as masters of the genre, especially with newer and more exciting additions that push the boundaries of what's possible in modern gaming.

But even before modern games started with graphics that were almost indistinguishable from real life and the most immersive gameplay, there were still some zombie games that would undoubtedly have scared the hell out of gamers and embarrassed them with their brain teasers at the time. It's time for a trip through the memory graveyard and take a look back at these early, undead hits.

6 House of the dead

A brilliant example of Light Gun gameplay

It's impossible to discuss classic zombie games and not mention the first House of the deadwhich was a prominent entry in the light weapon genre. As is normal for zombie games, there was a scientist running horrible and unethical experiments to discover the secret of life and death, and the fruits of his work interruption and overrun of the mansion. A distress call draws Thomas Rogan and his partner G to the Curien Mansion, where they are besieged by the undead creatures.

In the original version of the game, players had to use a light gun to aim and shoot at the monsters on the screen for a more immersive gaming experience, something that was notably missing in the follow-up game, House of the Dead 2. To carefully manage resources that Resident Evil is not the purpose of the game – players must unleash hell in this chaotic and fun zombie game to survive.

5 Zombies ate my neighbors

Choose between two protagonists to save the suburbs

You wouldn't think that a quiet, peaceful suburban area would become the stomping ground of an undead horde, but they'd be wrong. Zeke and Julie are the reluctant heroes of this classic run-and-gun game after mad scientist Dr. Tongue unleashes a host of monsters on their quiet neighborhood.

The player or players play as a character alone or team up with a friend and must run through different locations in the game and save their neighbors from the clutches of the ugly beasts that are freed from Dr's castle. If any kind of enemy comes into contact with the neighbor, they will be lost, and players must kill all enemies in order to continue. Players will use common everyday items with devastating effect to clear these levels, which is part of this game's charm and humor.

4 Zombie Nation

Boasting one of the most unique venues in the genre

• Platforms: PC, NES, Nintendo Switch
• Released: January 1991
• Developer: KAZ
• Genre: Shooter

Zombie games stretch back even to the early 90s when most gamers probably used their NES to play titles such as Ninja Gaiden and Super Mario Bros. For those looking for a fast-paced and fun shoot 'em up, there it was Zombie Nationa Japanese zombie game with a unique premise.

9 years in the future after its release, the floating head of the great samurai Namakubi travels to America, a land overrun by zombies that comes back to Darc Seed, an alien who crashed on Earth and caused this outbreak of the undead. Instead of unleashing a barrage of bullets on creatures and structures, players will shoot eyeballs and vomit, making for some pretty nasty visuals even by zombie game standards. It's a unique entry for players who are getting tired of the same old titles.

3 Nightmare creatures

Slay the Undead in this Victorian-era horror title

One of the earliest survival horror games and one of the very first games set in the Victorian era, Nightmare creatures is an often forgotten and tragically overlooked title when discussing classic horror games. Players can choose from one of two protagonists on offer before setting off to face legions of demons and the undead, who have risen from their graves to terrorize the living.

Each character offers a new spin on gameplay as they each have their own unique weapons to face off against the terrifying creatures that try to force them to join them in the afterlife. The result of a cult attempting to shoot at the lofty targets of supernatural forces to further their nefarious goals, they unwittingly unleash disaster, and now the player and their weapon are all that stands between humanity and utter disaster.

2 Blood

Assume the role of a legendary gunslinger

Blood is an old but classic gameplay shooter in the same vein as DOWNFALLas players will be peppering undead and unholy beasts with whatever weapons are at their disposal. Set in an undetermined time period with elements from multiple eras both past and future, players take on the role of Caleb, once the leader of a cult and still wearing the mantle of a ruthless and skilled gunslinger. He has risen from the grave to exact his revenge after he and several other members of the cult were betrayed.

Despite his age, Blood remains an extremely fun shooter that will put players' skills to the test with its challenging difficulty level, but that only makes the fruits of success all the sweeter. And with its 2019 release on Steam, the game is readily available to gamers who want to see what zombie games of old looked like.

1 Resident Evil 2

Superior to the first in many ways

The first one Resident Evil is a celebrated game and for good reason. It was one of the first survival horror games of all time and had a strong influence on the genre. It delivers scares, tense gameplay and puzzles for an all-around exceptional experience. With such a strong start to the franchise, it seems Resident Evil 2 was set up for failure, because how could it ever compare? But that's when Capcom did the unthinkable and made an even better game.

Introducing new characters who would become absolute legends (Leon S Kennedy, Claire Redfield and Ada Wong), Resident Evil 2 shows the downfall of Raccoon City as zombie-like creatures have overrun it, leaving no safe havens. Monsters like Birkin and Mr. X have completely cemented themselves in the player's mind, inflicting nightmares and trauma on an entire generation. Although some would argue that the remake is the definitive way to experience Resident Evil 2there were some drastic changes and tragic omissions that make it well for any fans who may have somehow missed this game over the years to go back and give it a shot, because it's the best zombie game of the 90s, and maybe through the ages.