1996 was a monumental year for the PC gaming industry, with releases that defined the future of the genre and are still fondly remembered by gamers today.
Some of the highlights of the year include:
- Super Mario 64: A revolution in the 3D platforming genre, with innovative graphics and fluid gameplay.
- Tomb Raider: The first adventure of the iconic Lara Croft, which popularized the 3D action-adventure genre.
- Quake: A landmark in first-person shooters, with hardware-accelerated graphics and frenetic multiplayer gameplay.
- Diablo: A genre-defining action RPG, with addictive gameplay and a dark and immersive atmosphere.
- Duke Nukem 3D: An irreverent and action-packed FPS, with sarcastic humor and memorable characters.
Other notable releases from 1996:
- Command & Conquer: Red Alert: An innovative RTS with an alternate history setting and bizarre units.
- Civilization II: An epic turn-based strategy game that puts you in command of a civilization from prehistory to the future.
- Resident Evil: A survival horror game that popularized the genre with scares and challenging puzzles.
- Crash Bandicoot: A fun and challenging platformer starring a wacky marsupial.
Super Mario RPG: An unusual collaboration between Nintendo and Squaresoft, combining platforming and RPG elements.
1996 was a year of great technological advancements for PC gaming:
- The popularization of 3D accelerated video cards enabled more realistic and immersive graphics.
- The growth of the internet boosted online multiplayer, allowing gamers to connect and compete with each other.
- The increased storage capacity of CDs allowed for more complex and content-rich games.
Additional Resources:
Documentary about the history of the PC gaming industry: 
