Every game launch is a moment in time—a snapshot of where gaming was, what players craved, and how technology was evolving. Some titles push genres forward, others refine what came before, and a few get lost in history despite their brilliance. On March 31, we’ve seen the release of a ton of standouts. Let’s revisit what made them special.
Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures (SNES, 1995)
When Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures swung onto the SNES in 1995, it was clear that LucasArts and Factor 5 had something special in store for fans of the legendary archaeologist. This side-scrolling action game packed all three of Indy’s original film adventures into a single cartridge, delivering a tough but rewarding experience that felt like a spiritual successor to Super Star Wars.
A Cinematic Platforming Marvel
What made Greatest Adventures stand out was its dedication to recreating the films’ most thrilling moments. Players relived the boulder chase from Raiders of the Lost Ark, escaped the mine cart sequence in Temple of Doom, and confronted the Grail Knight in The Last Crusade. Factor 5’s impressive use of the SNES’ Mode 7 allowed for dynamic visuals, especially in vehicle sections.
Notable Cheat Codes & Secrets
A well-known password, “JONES,” let players skip to any level, a lifesaver given the game’s brutal difficulty. Meanwhile, a hidden invincibility mode could be activated with a specific controller input at the title screen—essential for those looking to survive Indy’s adventure unscathed.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Spiritual Successor: Heavily inspired by the Super Star Wars trilogy
- Defining Feature: Mode 7-driven action sequences
- Notable Legacy: Factor 5 would later develop Star Wars: Rogue Squadron using similar principles
Where to Play It Today
Unfortunately, Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures has never seen a proper re-release, making original cartridges the best option.
Get It On eBay
Super Return of the Jedi (SNES, 1995)
By 1995, LucasArts had already cemented its reputation for quality Star Wars adaptations, and Super Return of the Jedi was the thrilling conclusion to the Super Star Wars trilogy on SNES.
Lightsabers, Blasters, and a Whole Lot of Speed
True to its predecessors, Super Return of the Jedi combined blistering action with incredible sprite work. The game featured multiple playable characters—Luke, Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and even Wicket the Ewok—all with unique movesets. The fast-paced platforming was complemented by Mode 7 vehicle levels, including a heart-pounding speeder bike chase on Endor.
Notable Cheats & Easter Eggs
A debug code allowed players to enable infinite lives and full power-ups, making an already tough game much more manageable. Meanwhile, the game had a humorous touch—Chewbacca’s spin attack made him virtually invincible, leading to fans dubbing him “the Wookiee tornado.”
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gameplay Style: Fast-paced action-platformer with multiple characters
- Best Feature: Iconic Endor speeder bike chase
- Legacy: Inspired later multi-character action games like LEGO Star Wars
Where to Play It Today
Super Return of the Jedi was re-released on the PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS Vita. It’s also available on GOG for PC players.
Or Get It On eBay
Shadow of Memories (PS2, 2001)
Konami’s Shadow of Memories (aka Shadow of Destiny in North America) remains one of the most unique time-travel games ever made. Released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, it focused on narrative-driven adventure rather than combat, making it a cult favourite.
A Murder Mystery With a Time-Twist
Players controlled Eike Kusch, a man murdered at the start of the game, only to be revived by a mysterious entity known as Homunculus. His mission? Travel through time to prevent his own death. The game’s branching storylines and multiple endings made it a pioneer in non-linear storytelling.
Behind the Scenes Trivia
Director Junko Kawano wanted to push gaming into more cinematic territory, and Shadow of Memories predates Heavy Rain and Life is Strange as one of the earliest narrative-driven adventure games with true consequence-based choices.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Innovative Feature: Time-travel mechanic affecting events in real time
- Legacy: Influenced games like Life is Strange and The Forgotten City
Where to Play It Today
Currently unavailable on digital storefronts, the best option is an original PS2 copy.
Or Get It On eBay
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (PC, 2001)
Departing from traditional RPG elements, Fallout Tactics focused on squad-based strategy. While divisive among purists, it introduced real-time combat and vehicle mechanics into the Fallout universe.
The Tactical Fallout We Never Saw Again
The game emphasized battlefield positioning and turn-based combat but allowed for real-time skirmishes, making it distinct from other Fallout entries.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Biggest Change: Tactical squad-based gameplay instead of RPG mechanics
- Legacy: Paved the way for later XCOM-style strategy games
Where to Play It Today
Available on GOG and Steam for modern PCs.
Or Get It On eBay
Star Wars Episode I: Battle for Naboo (N64, 2001)
Coming off the success of Rogue Squadron, Factor 5 returned with another high-flying Star Wars action game. Battle for Naboo expanded on its predecessor’s formula with more varied vehicles, including land and water-based combat.
Beyond the Skies—A More Grounded Star Wars Experience
Unlike Rogue Squadron, which focused solely on starfighter combat, Battle for Naboo featured a mix of air, land, and hovercraft missions. Players piloted Gian speeders, STAPs, and even a Trade Federation gunboat in an effort to repel the invasion of Naboo. The game’s fast pace, smooth controls, and Star Wars authenticity made it a favourite among Episode I fans.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gameplay Style: Arcade flight/ground combat hybrid
- Best Feature: Multi-vehicle combat variety
- Legacy: Paved the way for later mixed-vehicle combat in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2002)
Where to Play It Today
Battle for Naboo has never been re-released, making original N64 cartridges the only option.
Or Get It On eBay
The Mark of Kri (PS2, 2003)
Sony’s The Mark of Kri was a bold attempt to blend visceral melee combat with stealth mechanics in a way that few games had attempted before.
Brutal, Fluid Combat and Unique Targeting
The game’s biggest innovation was its right-stick targeting system, which let players assign enemies to face buttons for seamless attacks. This allowed protagonist Rau Utu to chain brutal, cinematic takedowns with his massive sword and battle-axe.
Behind the Scenes Trivia
Developers drew inspiration from Polynesian warrior cultures, leading to a distinct aesthetic rarely seen in games at the time.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gameplay Style: Hybrid melee/stealth action
- Best Feature: Revolutionary right-stick targeting
- Legacy: Influenced later cinematic melee games like God of War (2005)
Where to Play It Today
Available digitally on the PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS5.
Or Get It On eBay
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven (Xbox, 2004)
A continuation of the beloved Tenchu series, Wrath of Heaven refined the ninja stealth formula with smoother movement, new abilities, and deeper multiplayer modes.
True Stealth Kills and Ninja Fantasy Fulfilled
The game’s emphasis on light and sound made sneaking up on enemies feel genuinely tactical. New “Wrath” abilities allowed players to execute supernatural techniques, adding variety to the series’ signature stealth gameplay.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gameplay Style: Hardcore ninja stealth
- Best Feature: Refined stealth mechanics and multiplayer
- Legacy: One of the last true Tenchu games before the series faded
Where to Play It Today
Currently unavailable on digital storefronts, so physical Xbox or PS2 copies are the best bet.
Or Get It On eBay
Super Princess Peach (DS, 2006)
For decades, Princess Peach played the role of the damsel in distress. Super Princess Peach flipped the script, putting her front and centre in her own platforming adventure. Nintendo had long considered giving Peach her own game, but it wasn’t until the DS that they found the right formula. The development team wanted a game that felt distinct from Super Mario Bros. while keeping the charm of the Mushroom Kingdom.
A Unique Twist on Platforming Mechanics
Instead of power-ups, Peach used her emotions—happiness, anger, sadness, and calm—to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Her “Joy” ability let her float, “Rage” burned obstacles, “Gloom” made her cry to water plants, and “Calm” restored health. While simple in concept, this mechanic made Super Princess Peach stand out from the usual Mario formula.
Notable Cheats & Easter Eggs
A hidden “Mini-Game House” allowed players to unlock bonus challenges starring Toad. Additionally, beating the game unlocked a mode where Peach could play through levels with infinite vibe energy.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gameplay Style: Side-scrolling platformer with emotion-based mechanics
- Best Feature: The Vibe Scepter’s emotion-based abilities
- Legacy: One of the few Nintendo games to give Peach the lead role
Where to Play It Today
Not available digitally, so an original DS cartridge is the only way to play.
Or Get It On eBay
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII (Xbox 360, 2006)
Ubisoft’s Blazing Angels offered an arcade-style take on WWII dogfighting, blending historical accuracy with fast-paced aerial combat. Developers at Ubisoft Romania worked closely with historians to ensure the authenticity of aircraft models and mission settings, while keeping the gameplay accessible for newcomers.
Accessible, Cinematic Air Combat
Unlike hardcore flight sims, Blazing Angels focused on intuitive controls and cinematic action. Players participated in famous battles like Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Britain, and the D-Day invasion. The squadron mechanics let you issue commands to AI-controlled wingmen, adding a tactical element to dogfights.
Notable Cheats & Easter Eggs
Entering “WINGS” as a cheat code unlocked all missions, while “ACE” granted infinite ammo, making dogfights even more chaotic.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gameplay Style: Arcade-style WWII flight combat
- Best Feature: Intuitive squadron-based combat
- Legacy: Inspired later accessible WWII air combat games like Ace Combat 7
Where to Play It Today
Physical copies are the only way to play, as the game has not been re-released.
Or Get It On eBay
Splinter Cell: Double Agent (PS3, 2007)
Ubisoft’s Splinter Cell series had already redefined stealth gaming by 2007, but Double Agent took a bold new direction, putting Sam Fisher in a morally grey world where trust was a weapon. Ubisoft Montreal and Shanghai developed two different versions of the game. The PS3 and Xbox 360 editions featured a more cinematic experience, while the PS2 and Xbox versions retained classic Splinter Cell mechanics.
A Dual Role Like Never Before
For the first time in the series, Fisher went undercover as a double agent within a terrorist organization. Players had to balance loyalty between the NSA and their targets, making tough moral choices that affected the story. Missions featured branching paths, different endings, and new underwater stealth sections.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gameplay Style: Stealth action with morality-based choices
- Best Feature: Dual-loyalty system affecting gameplay and story
- Legacy: Paved the way for more narrative-driven stealth games like Hitman (2016)
Where to Play It Today
Available on Xbox via backward compatibility, but not digitally on PlayStation.
Or Get It On eBay
