GoldenEye 007

Developed by a nine-person team, GoldenEye 007 sold 8 million copies and pioneered console first-person shooter multiplayer with its four-player split-screen deathmatch mode. This social gaming phenomenon outperforms #2 Super Mario 64's lack of competitive play, defining a generation of dorm-room battles. The game's 60 frames per second, 10 levels, and realistic weapon unlocks were revolutionary for 1997—a stark contrast to the slower pacing of Final Fantasy VII's turn-based combat. With 18 different playable characters and up to 4 players simultaneously, it proved FPS games could thrive on consoles, not just PCs. Its stealth mechanics and mission objectives added depth that outperforms the average shooter of the era, cementing its legacy as a multiplayer icon.