Collection: 1996

1996 was a pivotal year in PC gaming—a moment where the industry shifted from DOS-era design into the more cinematic, 3D-accelerated future. This year delivered genre-defining shooters, revolutionary RPGs, atmospheric adventures, and technical leaps that shaped the next decade of PC gaming. Here are a few standout releases from 1996 and why they’re still legendary:

• Quake – Introduced true 3D environments, online multiplayer deathmatch, and id Tech 2’s groundbreaking engine. 🔫

• Diablo – Brought fast-paced action RPG combat and addictive loot systems to the mainstream. ⚔️

• Duke Nukem 3D – A witty, explosive FPS with interactive worlds and huge mod support.

• Civilization II – Deepened the empire-building formula with richer systems and endless replayability.

• Tomb Raider (PC port) – Showcased cinematic 3D exploration and introduced Lara Croft as a gaming icon. 🗿

The PC landscape in 1996 felt like a frontier being reshaped in real time. With the spread of Windows 95 and the rising popularity of 3D accelerator cards, developers were pushing boundaries both technically and creatively. Quake, especially, changed multiplayer forever—its client-server model and mod-friendly engine created the blueprint for modern online shooters, speedrunning culture, and competitive esports.

At the same time, genres blossomed in new directions. Diablo proved that RPGs could be fast, accessible, and endlessly replayable, while Civilization II cemented the “one more turn” addiction for strategy fans. Adventure games like The Pandora Directive and Broken Sword carried narrative-driven design forward, and PC ports like Tomb Raider showed just how cinematic 3D action could be. Altogether, 1996 remains one of the most influential years in PC gaming history—a turning point between classic design and the 3D-accelerated era that would define the late ‘90s.