SimCity

An empty green plain, a road map in your head, and the desire to build a metropolis that will pulse with life. SimCity on the Super Nintendo turned Will Wright's groundbreaking computer game into one of the most charismatic console simulators, and it also became the title on which Nintendo proved that even a game without victory or rivals can absorb you for hours on end.

The principle is pure creativity. You don't shoot, you don't rescue a princess – instead you zone residential, commercial, and industrial areas, build roads, power plants, fire and police stations, and watch your city grow organically. You have to balance the budget, taxes, transport, and residents' satisfaction and respond to disasters ranging from fires to floods to monster attacks.

The console version was exceptional in how Nintendo adapted it. The controls were tuned for the gamepad, and the game gained its own charm in the form of advisor Dr. Wright and rewards in the shape of gift buildings for reaching milestones. Especially famous is the bonus of statues and special structures, including the ability to unlock a special gift from Nintendo itself upon reaching megalopolis status.

The original SimCity from 1989 by the studio Maxis practically created the city-building simulator genre and catapulted Will Wright among the most influential game designers – his later The Sims became one of the best-selling gaming brands of all time. The console adaptation brought this idea to the broad audience of SNES owners.

In its day it was proof that simulation and creativity have their place on the console alongside action. SimCity offered endless gameplay without an end and without defeat – just your vision and your patience. That's precisely why it became one of the most cherished and timeless titles of its generation.

Why play: A timeless city-building simulator that lets you create a city according to your own vision – ideal for anyone who wants a break from action and to lose themselves in pure planning.