Browse games from 1995
For the year 1995, you can choose games such as:
100 Great Kids' Games
100 Great Kids Games is a DOS compilation released in 1995 that packs a hundred short titles into one colorful package. The aim is simple play that quietly builds reading, math, memory, and problem solving. The interface leans toward kid friendly, with oversized icons, bubbly colors, and gentle sound cues that reward exploration. The program runs on early PC hardware and uses a mouse plus keyboard to navigate menus, choose games, and track progress. Each game zone lays out a tiny challenge with clear goals, a brief instruction, and a high score or badge when a task is done.
Inside the pack are games that test memory with matching pictures, spelling with letter tiles, simple arithmetic through playful puzzles, pattern hunts, and maze runs. Some titles invite kids to shape letters to form words, others ask them to group items by size or color, and a few encourage careful timing to collect rewards. The pace shifts between quick rounds and longer quests, letting readers, curious tinkerers, and number curious youngsters explore at their own speed. The collection balances familiar activities with small surprises to spark curiosity rather than overwhelm.
Art direction favors bold outlines and cheerful sprites, designed to be legible on monochrome and color CRT displays. The soundtrack glides with light, cheery tunes that do not overwhelm concentration. A roaming guide character offers tips and encouragement between rounds, using plain language and short checks for understanding. The controls emphasize mouse clicks, though keyboard input remains available for those who prefer it. The packaging and in game prompts emphasize safety and a non punitive tone, aiming to invite trial and mastery without frustration.
From a modern lens the title captures a moment when home computers were a steady bedrock for playful learning. It served as a sampler of core skills without towering complexity, a bridge between toy and lesson. Critics and players noted its breadth, yet some wished for deeper challenges and smoother navigation through the menu maze. The lasting memory lies in its snapshot of 1990s edutainment: a portal where a child could hop from a spelling tap to a number dash, several times a day, with a sense of discovery and small triumphs.
Looking back, 100 Great Kids Games captures a slice of 90s edutainment. It offered a route to screens, a contrast to action titles, and for families became a way to blend curiosity with routine play.
1830: Railroads & Robber Barons
Undoubtedly the most underrated SimTex game, 1830 is a complex and faithful PC conversion of the popular Avalon Hill board game.
As with the other SimTex games, the powerful computer AI keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting even in beer and cookie-cutter design (a typical game here lasts 8-10 hours). In addition to the conventional decisions found in other railroad building games, e.g., track laying, 1830 features a unique and challenging stock market model that really is the best I've seen in games of this type (and, being a finance person passionate about business simulators, I've seen quite a few). Before the 'Trading Round' can begin, you must first decide which stocks to buy and which companies to float in the 'Stock Round', using a very clever stock bidding interface.
The game is not just about planning routes: unlike most railroad games where the goal is to match supply and demand (e.g. Sid Meier's classic Railroad Tycoon), in 1830 the focus is clearly on more macro decision-making. Instead of worrying about the types of goods to be transported and how quickly obsolete trains need to be replaced, here the concerns focus on cutthroat competition, hostile takeovers, and the possibility of being ousted from the CEO's chair.
As you might expect from the designer of Master of Orion, the AI in this game is top-notch, and closely mirrors the story: the fearsome speculator James Fisk will concentrate on buying shares in other companies and taking them over, while the famous engineer Westinghouse will concentrate on his company's operations and plotting the most efficient routes.
In the end, whether or not you like 1830 depends on your preferences. If you are a miniature railroad fanatic who likes to see how trains go about buying their designed route, 1830 is not the game for you. On the other hand, if you're a business simulation fan like me who likes to manage the company and keep an eye on Treasury stocks as much as you like to do the work, 1830 is simply a must-play game.
Two thumbs up!
20 em 1
The SEGA Master System game, 20 em 1, is a classic for those who grew up playing video games in the 1990s. This game was released in 1995 and offers a variety of classic arcade-style games for players to enjoy.
20 em 1 includes classic games like Hang On, Space Harrier, and Fantasy Zone, as well as original titles like Block Hole and Champion Baseball. Each game has its own unique graphics, sound, and gameplay to give players a unique experience. The game also has a two-player mode for some of the titles, giving players the opportunity to challenge each other in a head-to-head battle.
In terms of graphics, the game looks surprisingly good for its time. The 8-bit sprites used in the game look great and the bright colors make the game pop. The sound is also great, with classic arcade-style music and sound effects that add to the nostalgia.
One of the best features of 20 em 1 is its wide range of difficulty levels. Players can choose from easy, medium, and hard, giving everyone from first-time players to experienced gamers a challenge. This allows for a lot of replay value as players can either challenge themselves to complete the game on the hardest difficulty or simply enjoy the games at a more relaxed pace.
Overall, 20 em 1 is a great SEGA Master System game. It has great graphics, sound, and gameplay, as well as a variety of classic and original titles that make it a must-have for fans of classic arcade-style games. With its wide range of difficulty levels, it can be enjoyed by players of any skill level, making it the perfect game for a night of retro gaming.
20 Squares
The Windows game 20 Squares, released in 1995, is an engaging and challenging puzzle game that requires players to move a variety of colored squares to their designated places on the grid. The game begins with a grid of 20 squares, each of which has a specific colored shape. The player is tasked with moving the squares so that they are arranged in the correct order and orientation on the grid. As the game progresses, the difficulty increases as the player must figure out how to manipulate the squares to complete the puzzle.
The game play of 20 Squares is simple and intuitive. Players move the squares around the board with the mouse or keyboard and are given only a few seconds to make their moves. As the game progresses, players must find the correct combinations of squares and orientations to create the desired pattern. This is done by shifting the squares to the correct places on the grid and eliminating those that do not fit.
The game features a variety of levels, each of which presents a different type of challenge. Players must figure out the correct combinations of squares and orientations to complete the puzzle. As the difficulty increases, the player must use their logic and strategic skills to complete the level. The game also features a timer that counts down the remaining time as the player moves the squares around the board.
20 Squares is an entertaining and engaging puzzle game that is suitable for all ages. The game is easy to learn, yet difficult to master, and provides a great challenge to gamers of all skill levels. The game is available for free on Windows and requires no installation or additional hardware. With its addicting gameplay and engaging levels, 20 Squares is a great choice for anyone looking for an exciting puzzle game.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
In the mid 1990s a curious corner of PC gaming opened up on Windows 3x machines, and one title stood out for its old fashioned romance with the sea and science. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, released in 1995, invited players to step beyond the keyboard into the creaking corridors of a literary vessel. The game borrows a Jules Verne glow and translates it into chiseled pixel art, clacking doorways, and a mood of hushed exploration. Rather than a fierce arcade sprint, it rewards patient curiosity, cataloging strange artifacts and unwinding mysteries aboard a submarine named after a legend. It feels like a bridging of ages.
At ground level the game unfolds as a measured puzzle trek rather than a shoot em up. Players click through airlocked hatchways, inspect pressure gauges, and assemble clues about official orders and hidden intentions. The Nautilus serves as both stage and guide, with compartments that require sequence-based actions to unlock. A clever inventory system keeps a handful of tools, maps, and coded notes, each item altering how you interpret a corridor or a whispering mariner. Dangers arrive not with roaring villains but with rust, fog, and the stubborn physics of older software, demanding calm navigation and careful timing.
Graphically the title leans into the hardware's limitations while chasing a romantic sense of depth. Color palettes were modest, yet silhouettes and water effects carried weight, giving the illusion of weighty hulls and slippery decks. Sound design sketched creaks, bubbles, distant sonar pings, and the hush of a vessel slipping through pressure. On Windows 3.x machines memory was precious, so animation was deliberate rather than flashy, with transitions that feel almost ceremonial. The interface favored menus, icons, and textual hints over frenetic action, inviting players to savor atmosphere rather than chase reflexes.
Reception among shareware circles and curious households reflected a broader shift toward exploratory titles. This game rewarded patience and reading as much as puzzle solving, a stance that echoed the era of encyclopedia style manuals and curious ad hoc guides. It stands as a nostalgic snapshot of what Windows 3.x platforms could host when designers pursued mood over pace. While some players lamented its measured tempo and rudimentary puzzles, others praised its reverent tribute to maritime myth and Verne's forecasting spirit. In retrospect the program feels like a bridge between classroom instruction and virtual storytelling on screen. Its dusty manuals still echo beside memories.
2FAST4YOU: Das superheisse Bi-Fi Race
FAST4YOU: Das superheisse Bi-Fi Race is a one- and two-player promotional arcade racing game advertising the meat snack brand BiFi to a German audience. The game features dummy cars and arcade mechanics such as the use of power-ups, just like in Super Mario Kart and similar games (e.g. Whacky Wheels).
There are three single-player game modes: competitive racing, timed races and the Supercup. In the first mode, the player has to win several consecutive races against computer opponents. There are several power-ups scattered around the tracks that can give some advantage to the player who uses them, as well as BiFi snacks that can be collected, and oil patches that will spin out of control any car that runs over them for a while.
The timed race mode has no opponent and requires completing laps in the shortest time possible, while the Supercup is the same but part of a real competition: players can submit their score to BiFi, and the top five scores will win prizes, including a trip to London.
The two-player races take place in split-screen mode. It is possible to compete against each other alongside computer opponents, or have a duel between human players on a large non-linear track.
Like many other promotional games in Germany, 2FAST4YOU was sold (albeit at a much lower price than real commercial games), but a free demo was published on magazine covers and software collections.
3D Jungle Train
Released in 1995, 3D Jungle Train captivated gamers with its unique blend of adventure and arcade-style challenges. As players navigated through dense, verdant landscapes, the game presented a gripping experience that combined the thrill of speed with the intricacies of obstacle avoidance. This unusual premise set it apart from many titles of the time, offering an enthralling journey through an imaginative jungle environment teeming with vibrant visuals.
The core mechanic revolves around controlling a train that glides through twisting tracks, each level designed to immerse players in a lush, exotic world. Through colorful graphics and three-dimensional imagery, players could witness the train's rapid movement as it weaved between trees, mountains, and rivers. Every twist and turn was meticulously crafted, contributing to a sense of urgency and excitement. The dynamic environments kept players on their toes, requiring quick reflexes and strategic maneuvering to avoid various hazards and obstacles.
Adding depth to the gameplay were the numerous power-ups scattered throughout the levels. These bonuses provided an essential advantage, allowing players to enhance their train’s speed or gain temporary invulnerability. Such elements encouraged exploration and experimentation, rewarding players for their skills and perseverance. The thrill of racing against time while collecting these items added layers to the experience, motivating gamers to perfect their runs and achieve high scores.
The soundtrack played a vital role in establishing the game’s overall atmosphere. Every whistle of the train and rustle of the jungle created a symphony of sound that complemented the visuals beautifully. The audio design not only heightened the tension during high-speed chases but also enriched the gameplay with a whimsical charm, making the adventure feel more immersive.
3D Jungle Train received positive acclaim for its innovative concept and engaging gameplay. While not as widely remembered today compared to some contemporary titles, its unique approach to the racing genre left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to experience it. Even in a gaming landscape that has evolved significantly since the mid-90s, components of 3D Jungle Train can be seen echoed in modern creations, signifying its influence on future developers. Ultimately, it stands as a forgotten gem, embodying the creative spirit of its era.
