Fans are glad to see Konami make a comeback after their reputation was in the gutter following Kojima's unceremonious dismissal. The company has a stellar track record in the industry, developing amazing games that fans can't get enough of.
Best Konami Games From Every Year In The 2000s
Konami was on a roll with their console releases heading into the new millennium, and they didn't slow down in the 2000s, as these great games show.
The fact that their titles from the '90s have somehow managed to remain relevant to this day is a testament to the amazing work done on these titles. Some of these games have aged like fine wine and are still incredible to play to this day.
8 Silent Hill
A Groundbreaking Survival Horror Game That Set The Stage For Something Special
Silent Hill
- Released
- January 31, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Despite its graphics looking rather dated by modern standards, there's something about the oppressive fog and nerve-wracking gameplay of Silent Hill that makes it a blast to play through even now.
As long as players don't mind being scared out of their wits, the incredible atmosphere of the first Silent Hill game will keep them entertained till the very end. Using fog to make up for the lack of draw distance was an ingenious solution that heightened the scare factor of this title, making this a staple of most Silent Hill games ever since.
7 Metal Gear Solid
An Incredible Stealth Game That Kickstarted Kojima's Rise To Fame
Metal Gear Solid
- Released
- October 20, 1998
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Stealth
Stealth games may have evolved by leaps and bounds, but there's something about the simple and riveting gameplay of Metal Gear Solid that makes it amazing to play even now. Players will love sneaking around as Snake and taking out hostiles without raising the alarm.
Players accustomed to modern stealth games will need to go through an adjustment period before they get used to Metal Gear Solid's gameplay. However, the amazing storytelling and memorable characters are in a class of their own and have aged brilliantly, making up for its gameplay drawbacks.
6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time
A Beat-'em-Up Title That Is Still Relevant To This Day
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time
- Released
- March, 1993
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
The TMNT beat-'em-up games made by Konami are in a class of their own, and such is the case with Turtles in Time. This classic title is full of fun set pieces as players try their hardest to beat down the many enemies standing in their way.
10 Best Konami Arcade Games
There are a lot of iconic video game franchises under Konami's belt, but surprisingly, some of their best work was developed for arcade cabinets.
Each turtle has his strengths and weaknesses, with the time-travelling element of this game allowing for some creative stages. Fans will love how great it feels to power through foes and overcome bosses that give them a hard time in some of the levels. It's easy to see why this game was re-released on modern hardware without too many changes and still feels great to play.
5 Zombies Ate My Neighbors
The Title's Charming Presentation Makes It An Underrated Classic
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
- Released
- July 19, 1993
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Cartoon Violence
- Genre(s)
- Run and Gun
It's a shame that Zombies Ate My Neighbors did not sell well since this title had a ton of things going for it. This run-and-gun title is quite challenging, but the game's humor and charm make up for any frustration players feel whenever they die for the umpteenth time.
Players who want to check out a fun co-op title with surprisingly compelling combat will love what Zombies Ate My Neighbors brings to the table. It has aged brilliantly and is still great to play even now.
4 Contra 3: The Alien Wars
One Of The Best Games In This Beloved Series
Contra III: The Alien Wars
- Released
- February 28, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
The Contra series features a bunch of challenging side-scrolling shoot-'em-ups that can be a pain to go through. However, this challenge is precisely what makes these games such a blast to play through, and Contra 3: The Alien Wars is no exception.
This game is a blast to play through and features some pulse-pounding gameplay as players either take on waves of foes all by their lonesome or partner up with a friend. Either way, the gameplay loop is simple and captivating enough for players to be invested as they strive to overcome immense challenges and come out victorious.
3 Suikoden 2
A Massive Improvement Over Its Predecessor And One Of The Best JRPGs Of All Time
Suikoden II
- Released
- September 29, 1999
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
A JRPG that showed fans just how captivating the Suikoden formula could be, Suikoden 2 is a must-play for fans of the genre. The game's epic storytelling is bolstered by what is easily one of the greatest antagonists in gaming history.
5 Best RPGs By Konami, Ranked
Konami has been a huge influence on the RPG gaming genre, especially when it comes to fantasy. These titles are perfect examples of why that is.
As heinous as Luca Bright's actions are, fans can't help but sympathize with his plight after learning of his backstory. This brilliant writing is augmented by fun combat and a massive cast of playable characters, enhancing the quality of this title in the eyes of many.
2 Dance Dance Revolution
Kickstarted One Of The Most Popular Arcade Franchises Of All Time
Dance Dance Revolution
- Released
- September 26, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Rhythm, Music
Dance Dance Revolution is one of the most legendary video game franchises of all time, and the series' tantalizing gameplay loop was established from the very first entry. The addictive arcade gameplay struck a tone with players as they danced to the beat of their favorite songs.
The first DDR game was a revolution that allowed this series to shine in arcades ever since. To this day, there's something inherently cathartic about landing the steps in each song that made Dance Dance Revolution such a massive hit and inspired many DDR clones in the wake of this title's success.
1 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
A Game So Revolutionary That It Coined The Name For A Whole New Genre
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Released
- October 2, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania, Action RPG
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is one of the greatest video games ever made, with the evolution of this franchise marking a huge turning point in the video game landscape. The combination of RPG elements with a sprawling, interconnected world spawned a whole new genre in tandem with Super Metroid.
Alucard's journey through Dracula's Castle is riveting and full of surprising twists that keeps the gameplay fresh. Barring a UI that has aged poorly, Symphony of the Night is incredible in every other department and is easily one of the most important video games ever made.
- Date Founded
- March 21, 1969
- Headquarters
- Chuo City, Tokyo, Japan
- Parent Company
- Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
- Known For
- Castlevania, Contra, Metal Gear, Pro Evolution Soccer