Top 10 Most Underrated Video Games Of All Time
#10: “Enslaved: Odyssey to the West” (2010)
Loosely based around the famed Chinese novel, “Journey to the West,” “Enslaved” has you play as Monkey, a man bound to a woman determined to return to her village in a post-apocalyptic world. The setting is far more vibrant than most games with similar environments. The story is engaging and the performances are fantastic. While the combat isn’t the strongest and it’s a pretty short game, it’s still enjoyable and it holds up well. “Enslaved” could have been the next big thing when it was released, but it was tragically overshadowed or ignored. Thankfully, it’s readily available now, so you can find out what you and everyone else missed out on!
#9: “Space Station Silicon Valley” (1998)
Top 10 Space Combat Video Games
Set aboard the titular space station, “Space Station Silicon Valley” has players control a microchip robot named Evo as you take control of the various mechanical animals aboard to solve puzzles and complete objectives. Each animal has unique abilities that let you perform different attacks or actions, which, along with the various environments, helps keep the game fresh throughout. Add in a quirky soundtrack and plenty of British humor, and you’ve got a certified hidden gem that feels like a forerunner to a certain modern title that also takes players on a “super odyssey” controlling your foes.
#8: “Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy” (2004)
Top 5 Underrated Video Games That Need More Love (Showdown)
Psychic powers are a frequent staple of video games, but getting them just right can be difficult. “Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy” found the perfect variety, with telekinesis, pyrokinesis, remote viewing, and more at your disposal. Sure, these powers are found in a pretty standard shooter otherwise, but the story at least has a cheesy action movie vibe to it. “Psi-Ops” ends on a cliffhanger that could have set up a franchise, but given that its release coincided with other huge titles on the PS2 and XBOX, the fun abilities and physics it showcased unfortunately blended into the background.
#7: “ModNation Racers” (2010)
The kart racing genre has several big names that dominate attention, so it’s no surprise that “ModNation Racers” went unnoticed. Even so, it’s still a shame that more people don’t know about it, since it’s one of the few to go as in-depth with one crucial aspect - customization! True to its title, “ModNation Racers” lets you modify everything from your racers, to your vehicles, to your race tracks. The depth and variety this gives the game is truly impressive. Plus, the upgradeable weapons, drifting, and all-around sense of fun make it a true hidden gem everyone should take for a spin.
#6: “Skies of Arcadia” (2000)
It’s a game about sky pirates! How this didn’t become a blockbuster franchise is truly baffling. “Skies of Arcadia” is a wonderfully inventive RPG, with an exciting world of aerial lands to explore. The turn-based combat may be fairly standard, but it has enough of its own flair to be interesting. The story and characters lend themselves well to the overall sense of freedom and adventure that the game exudes. Unfortunately, one of the reasons “Skies of Arcadia” flew under so many people’s radars is that it was released for only 2 relatively underplayed systems, making any copies you can get your hands on more valuable than buried treasure.
#5: “Power Stone” (1999)
Top 10 Power Ranger Games
Dreamcast titles in general tend to be underrated, but “Power Stone” is arguably the game to get it the worst. Sure, it got a sequel, an anime, and has spawned some spiritual successors, but most people have never heard of it! “Power Stone” is a 3D arena battle game, with a 19th century setting. Collecting 3 of the titular objects during a match will power up whoever collects them for a limited time. As an arcade-style party fighting game it’s an absolute blast. Playing the original version can be a tall order, but like any precious stone, “Power Stone” can be worth a lot.
#4: “Mischief Makers” (1997)
We have to “shake shake” our heads at anyone who didn’t give “Mischief Makers” a chance when it was released. This 2.5D platformer follows Marina Liteyears, an android maid as she explores Planet Clancer in search of her creator. The gameplay is centered around shaking everything Marina can get her hands on, from objects to enemies, and it has a great balance between combat and puzzles. Featuring a haunting, anime aesthetic and a catchy soundtrack, “Mischief Makers” is a game it’s tragic to see hasn’t “bothered” more people, because it’s certainly worth the trouble.
#3: “'Splosion Man” (2009)
Top 20 Most Difficult Video Games of All Time
Despite featuring a protagonist that literally explodes, “‘Splosion Man”’s impact on the games industry is really more of a fizzle. And that’s a shame, since it’s a fun and unique platformer with a ton of content that will blow you away. Featuring both a single player and co-op campaign, “‘Splosion Man” has a surprisingly high yield for an XBOX Live Arcade game. While the hyperactive, random sense of humor throughout may not be for everyone, “‘Splosion Man” is still an absolute blast to play solo or with some friends.
#2: “Beyond Good & Evil” (2003)
Top 10 Most Underrated Video Games of the 2000s
Although the game has a long-awaited prequel and even a movie in the works, “Beyond Good & Evil” was “beyond” a failure commercially when it was released, despite high praise from critics. Developed by the same creator as “Rayman,” the game follows Jade, a journalist exposing an alien plot. Packed with gameplay variety, “Beyond Good & Evil” is one of the first games to feature more interactivity with partner characters. With its fantastic setting, engrossing story, and gameplay ahead of its time, it’s no wonder “Beyond Good & Evil” became a cult favorite.
#1: “Jet Force Gemini” (1999)
Top 10 Underrated Video Games Of The 90s
Space shooters were all the rage at the turn of the millennium (and now), so the fact that “Jet Force Gemini” didn’t stand out as much as it should have is shocking. Made by the ever reliable Rare for the Nintendo 64, “Jet Force Gemini” gives players control of a duo of space heroes and their dog as they take on an evil insectoid empire. A blend of a shooter and an adventure game, it takes cues from “Metroid” and other space adventure stories from movies and TV and creates a great experience that ought to have spawned its own franchise! I mean, where else can you play as a hover dog with a gun turret on his back that can become a tank?
