Which Classic Game Had the Best Graphics?

[-Seraph-]

Chrono Trigger. Such detailed environments, emotive characters, and vibrant colors that come together to something so pleasing and absolutely timeless.

There was such great attention paid to the finest of details like the backgrounds, set pieces, and levels that it made everything feel alive down to the slight ruffle of the tree leaves.

The character sprites are so good, delivering so much character with great and emotive animations that gave everyone great depth to their personality. Everything about the game was jaw droopingly gorgeous from the Kingdom of Zeal, down to the simple animation of Crono's hair or Robo's run.

Chrono Trigger for me is a timeless classic game that has a timeless visual aesthetic to go with it. The game just looks so pleasing to the eye's regardless of how old it is.

 

[Julianking93]

A Link to the Past.

Fucking. Amazing.

 

[Christemo]

Heroes of Might and Magic 3 looked splendid for ´98.

 

[Hiphophippo]

Quality of graphics isn't about technology; it's about graphic design. I just finished re-playing the 1998 Metal Gear Solid; it might have some pixellated textures, but it still looks great because the graphic design is so good. It certainly looks a lot better than a more technically advanced game with shitty art design like Morrowind.

this is either flamebait, or you have a very "unique" opinion. I'd argue morrowind has some of the best art design ever.

 

[Good morning blues]

Quality of graphics isn't about technology; it's about graphic design. I just finished re-playing the 1998 Metal Gear Solid; it might have some pixellated textures, but it still looks great because the graphic design is so good. It certainly looks a lot better than a more technically advanced game with shitty art design like Morrowind.

this is either flamebait, or you have a very "unique" opinion. I'd argue morrowind has some of the best art design ever.

I will respond with some images:

Spoiler

Maybe not the best example, but the drab pastel colors and emphasis on details rather than impressions (compare the faces between MGS and Morrowind for what I mean here) make this game look a good deal worse than MGS in my opinion.

 

[ray=out]

golden axe

 

[RussetRanger]

Donkey Kong Country definitely.

 

[Hiphophippo]

Quality of graphics isn't about technology; it's about graphic design. I just finished re-playing the 1998 Metal Gear Solid; it might have some pixellated textures, but it still looks great because the graphic design is so good. It certainly looks a lot better than a more technically advanced game with shitty art design like Morrowind.

this is either flamebait, or you have a very "unique" opinion. I'd argue morrowind has some of the best art design ever.

I will respond with some images:

Spoiler

Maybe not the best example, but the drab pastel colors and emphasis on details rather than impressions (compare the faces between MGS and Morrowind for what I mean here) make this game look a good deal worse than MGS in my opinion.

I certainly won't begrudge you your opinion but I just can't get behind it myself. I personally think the Morrowind is timeless with it's look. Much like the beautiful sprites of the 16bit era I don't suspect there will ever be a time where Morrowind doesn't look current and great to me.

I also think that early forays into 3D, such as mgs1 for that matter, have not aged all that well. Not to say mgs1 is bad by any stretch, but if I were to play through it now it would be nostalgia driving the playthrough and not any love for it's aesthetics. Though, they were quite good for the time and remain competent.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

For thier time:

Prince of Persia

Starfox/Starwing

Mortal Kombat

Mario World (oh my god, parallax scrolling, wow!)

A Link to the Past.

Fucking. Amazing.

In every way. Still in my top 5 of all time, that one.

 

[JEBWrench]

Syberia. The entire Myst series. (Especially IV). And I'll also agree with Sonic CD.

Also, is Nights into Dreams old enough to count? Because if it is, it wins.

 

[Outright Villainy]

A Link to the Past.

Fucking. Amazing.

Awh, Ninja'd.
Okay, this doesn't count really, but for a 7 year old game, wind waker doesn't just hold up today, it looks fucking fantastic today!

Distinctive stylised games tend to hold up a lot better to ones going for realism.Super Mario World looks better nearly any n64 game, and a link to the past looks miles better than ocarina, and I much prefer ocarina's gameplay, it just looks a bit fugly these days. Link to the past is still very very classy.

 

[DigitalSushi]

Spoiler: For large size

*lets out a blood curdling scream*

8Bit, Mario 3 looks sexy for a NES game
Yoshi's Story and Sonic CD had the best graphics of the 16bit era, SOnic CD for its detail and Yoshi's Story for its child like living crayon world.
32bit, wip3out 3.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Super Mario Worlds. And I guess most of the Amiga games I played had the best graphics back then. Especially Rainbow Islands.

and from the more recent games, Rise of Nations looks awesome. It isn't that old, but considering some RTS'ish games that have come after that. Especially the animations.

 

[TelHybrid]

I'll still never forget how it felt playing one of the special stages on Sonic 2 for the 1st time. Amazing stuff.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Spoiler: Legend of Mana PS1

Spoiler: SaGa Frontier 2 PS1

2D art never ages poorly.

 

[GraveyardTricks]

Abes Oddysee!

 

[Silvance]

If you consider Donkey Kong Country a "classic," then it probably had the best graphics of its time.

 

[Mr. GameBrain]

The Neverhood, Abe's Oddyssey/Exodus, and Earthworm Jim are timeless in their art style.

But I will also give a shout out to Lylat Wars, because everytime I see this dude, it blows my mind!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnOe2OqwCGA[/youtube]

 

[Brotherofwill]

I remember Simon the Sorcerer 2 having really good looking sprites. Abe's Oddysey/Exodus are my favourites, altough I'm not sure if you can still call that sprites.

Donkey Kong games were really impressive back in the day, altough I've always had a weakpoint for designs like Super Mario World and Yoshi's Island.