Every gamer has them. Those games that make you stop for a moment, sit back in your chair, and just think,“Blimey, that’s impressive.”It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best games ever made. It doesn’t mean they’re perfect either. Sometimes it’s simply about being in the right place at the right time. A game arrives, does something you’ve never seen before, and suddenly your brain realises gaming can be something bigger than you imagined.
This little trip down memory lane came from a recent discussion about games that gave us that feeling of wonder. The more I thought about it, the more examples kept popping into my head. There are probably enough to fill several articles, but for now I thought I’d focus on a handful that left a lasting impression on me personally. As a warning, many of these games are quite old. I am, unfortunately, old enough to remember some of them arriving the first time around.
Burning Rubber – My First Gaming Memory
The first game that really gave me that wow feeling was probablyBurning Rubberon the Amstrad.
Now, if you look at it today, you’ll probably wonder what on earth I was impressed by. That’s fair enough. Even back then, I wasn’t exactly good at it. Most of my time was spent crashing into things and watching my car launch dramatically into the air. But context matters. The Amstrad was the first computer my family owned. My dad bought it largely for work, but like many families in the 1980s, it quickly made it something everyone used. Compared to some rival systems, the Amstrad came with everything in the box, which made it an attractive option for households.
Burning Rubberwas bundled with the machine, and for a young child, it felt magical. The music. The logo. The idea that I could control something happening on a screen. It was one of my earliest gaming memories and probably one of the reasons I still play games today. Looking back, the wow factor wasn’t really the game itself. It was discovering that video games existed at all.
Castle of Illusion – Disney Magic in Your Hands
The Game Gear version ofCastle of Illusionwas another huge moment for me.
The Game Gear had colour graphics, which felt incredibly exciting at the time, even if it devoured batteries at an alarming rate. I swear the thing could smell fresh batteries from across the room. When I finally got my hands on it,Castle of Illusioncompletely captured my imagination. The game follows Mickey Mouse as he sets out to rescue Minnie from an evil witch, but what really stood out were the colourful worlds. Forests, toy-themed stages, giant cakes and sweet-filled environments all felt wonderfully imaginative.
As a youngster, every new level felt like a new discovery. The platforming was challenging enough to keep me engaged without feeling unfair, and I loved the practice mode that helped ease players into the adventure. Even now, I still think it’s one of Disney’s finest gaming outings.
The Story of Thor – The Mega Drive Masterpiece
If I had to pick one Mega Drive game that deserves far more attention, it would beThe Story of Thor, known asBeyond Oasisin North America.
This game absolutely blew me away. It combined adventure, exploration and action into something that felt much larger than anything I’d played before. You discover a magical golden armlet, summon elemental spirits and embark on a quest to stop a powerful threat.
The opening alone is fantastic. Within minutes, your village is under attack, and you’re facing a giant monster. Talk about making a first impression. I loved the elemental spirits, each bringing their own abilities to puzzles and combat. The action felt fast and satisfying, and the world constantly encouraged exploration without ever becoming overwhelming. Even today, I think it’s one of the Mega Drive’s hidden gems.
Sonic Adventure – The Leap Into 3D
Few games screamed “next generation” quite likeSonic Adventure.
I still remember seeing that opening sequence on the Dreamcast for the first time. The colours were vibrant, the world felt alive, and that famous opening stage with the whale chasing Sonic was jaw-dropping. It’s easy to joke aboutSonic Adventurethese days. The voice acting is awkward, and many parts haven’t aged gracefully. But if you were there at the time, it was something special. This was Sonic stepping fully into 3D and, for me, it felt like gaming had suddenly taken a massive leap forward. Even my mum, who occasionally enjoyed watching games, commented on how impressive it looked. That’s usually a good sign.
Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Pure Adventure
I know this is a predictable choice.Everyone talks aboutThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The thing is, there’s a reason for that. Even before I played it, I remember seeing the game running on a shop display and being completely mesmerised. Link riding across Hyrule Field felt almost unreal at the time. Then I finally played it.
From exploring Kokiri Forest to pulling the Master Sword and witnessing the world change around you, the game constantly delivered memorable moments. What always impressed me wasn’t just the scale but the sense of adventure. It genuinely felt like you were setting off on an important journey. That feeling hasn’t really faded over the years. Even the 3DS version still gives me the happy feels.
Here’s hoping the upcoming remake is just as magical as the original.
Dynasty Warriors 2 – One Against Thousands
My first experience withDynasty Warriors 2happened at my cousin’s house.
She owned a PlayStation 2 before I did, and seeing this game running for the first time was astonishing. The sheer number of soldiers on screen felt impossible. Today we’re used to giant battles, but back then seeing hundreds of enemies charging around a battlefield was incredible. It felt like a genuine leap into the future.
As somebody who already loved brawlers, this felt like the natural evolution of the genre. The first level, ‘the yellow turban rebellion,’ is still one of my favourite levels in the series, like you’re going through a gauntlet of trials. Then there was the brutal fight with Lu-Bu in the second level, unless you’re sensible and avoid him. The famous battles, the larger-than-life heroes and the thrill of carving through entire armies made a huge impression on me. Nothing quite matched that first encounter.
Tearaway – Wonder and Creativity
The final game I’d like to mention isTearaway,a game Yvonne loved as well
This charming PlayStation Vita adventure remains one of the most creative games I’ve ever played. What made it special was how it embraced the hardware. The touchscreen, rear touchpad and cameras weren’t gimmicks here. They became part of the experience.
The game constantly encouraged creativity. Whether you were decorating characters or creating little paper designs, it felt wonderfully personal. More importantly, it reminded me of being a child and making things simply because it was fun. There’s a warmth toTearawaythat few games manage to capture. I look forward to sharing it with my kids when they are old enough.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, what strikes me most is that the wow factor isn’t always about graphics or technology. Sometimes it’s your first racing game. Sometimes it’s a colourful Disney platformer. Sometimes it’s an epic fantasy adventure or a battlefield packed with more soldiers than you’ve ever seen before.
The common thread is that each of these games left a mark on me. They created memories that have stayed with me long after the credits rolled. I’m sure there are many more I could add to this list, and perhaps I’ll revisit the topic one day.
Until then, I’d love to hear about the games that madeyougo wow. Whether it’s an obvious choice or a forgotten gem, those memories are worth celebrating. After all, gaming is at its best when it leaves us staring at a screen with a smile on our face, wondering how on earth it managed to do that.
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