Single-player, non-online games aren’t the norm when it comes to how people play games now. In fact, even some solo-campaign games require online connections for specific features. But beforeWorld of WarcraftandFinal FantasyXIVdominated the MMORPG scene, and beforeCall of Dutydominated hard drive space, there were games likeStarcraft. And even before that, there were ARPAnet games. In fact, there were even multiplayer games dating back to the 1940s.
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Obviously, no one was logging on for a quick Battle Royale match in 1987. But video games that adopted or adapted to the internet each made their marks on the future of online gaming as an industry. From starting subscription services to hosting their own servers, these games pioneered online multiplayer games.
Updated on June 23, 2025, by Levana Chester-Londt:Back in the day, gaming used to be a fairly solitary venture (besides the occasional LAN, which often required carting oversized equipment around). Nowadays, there is a strong social aspect to video games, mostlythanks to online multiplayer featureshelping people connect from across the globe.
While playing against AI bots has its own stress-free charm, nothing quite beats competing against real people, as that predictable, systematic approach is usually thrown right out the window. The first generation of gamers had to tough it out before being able to appreciate the ultimate online multiplayer escapades.
20Duke Nukem (1991)
Originally distributed to the masses via a Floppy Disc format,Duke Nukemis set in a dystopian future (of 1997) and was arguably the closest old-school players got to a first-person shooter experience. Trying to rid the world of a formidable Techbot army run by a radioactive mad scientist,Duke Nukemadds a strong story element to its side-scrolling gameplay, intriguing fans immensely, who just kept coming back for more.
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Several editions of this epic game have been released over the years, withDuke Nukem Foreveras the most recent installment (2011); however, it was the revolutionaryDuke Nukem 3Dthat won the popularity poles overall. Humour is a fundamental element of Duke’s adventures through Shrapnel City and beyond, and spin-off games have also been created for the likes ofPlayStationandNintendo 64to appease even more Duke enthusiasts.
19Worms (1995)
Tank games may not be the most popular genre around, as they may seem relatively simple at face value; however, players require a strategic mind to enjoy the full potential ofWorms. With icons likeArtilleryandLemmingsin their rearview mirror, these creepy crawlies set themselves apart from the rest with their wacky comedic content and unique animation style.
The fun intensifies further when more contenders enter the battlefield, as fighting a friend with anabsurd and ridiculous army of wormsis a rib-tickling experience indeed! These wiggly creatures have since dominated the turn-based artillery game industry, withWorms Rumble(2000) as the most recent addition to the online multiplayer realm.
18Heroes of Might and Magic (1995)
Paving the way for popular RPGs such asFire EmblemandDragon Quest,this classic turn-based fantasy adventure has been going strong since the very beginning, debuting withHeroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest.With more than twenty additions made to the franchise (expansions included), it is safe to say the concept was a huge success!
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Heroes' entire energy is perfect for the online world; however, in the beginning, fans were content to play against the PC as they attempted to dominate the realm with their mythological army. The subtleRPG element also shines through, as players must find artifacts, increase their experience and learn magical abilities while conquering enemy villages and fighting foes along the way.
17Diablo (1996)
As the top-selling RPG’s of its time,Diablodazzled players by allowing them to getthe full hack-and-slash experiencewhile dungeon-crawling through Khanduras in search of the diabolical Big Boss. Players could venture on a solo quest or form a party of up to four members, fulfilling the roles of Warrior, Rogue, or Sorceror.
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While most players only jumped onto the bandwagon in 2012 withDiablo IIIwith its updated online multiplayer features; however, many die-hard fans feel the new installment lacks that magical essence that the first two games perfectly encapsulated.Diablohas made a distinctive impression on the gaming world, regardless.
16Half-Life (1998)
This revolutionary sci-fi/horror first-person shooter game begins mid-journey, traveling towards Black Mesa Research Facility (a trope thatSkyrimfans are very familiar with.) Unlike other storytelling methods,Half-Lifeplayers aren’t forced into following a certain path, giving the game a more realistic,almostopen-world feel to it.
Thesurvival mode set-up emphasizes the horroraspect that has overwhelmed Dr. Gordon Freeman’s entire existence, as the world has become overrun with grotesque, Giger-styled alien creatures who appear to have developed a taste for human flesh.
15Sega Rally Championship (1996)
Released in 1994,Sega Rallywas one of the first games to take advantage of theSega Saturn’sNetlink Modem add-on for online play in 1996. The Netlink hardware ran at 28.8kps and ranSega Rallyon the Planetweb browser and allowed players to compete online.
Sega Rallywas already a groundbreaking title at the time of its release with its performance, terrain variety, and speed. The game performed beautifully at the time of its release and would serveas Sega’s first successfuldip into online console gaming before Dreamcast.
14ChuChu Rocket (1999)
Originally developed as a means to test the stability and online capabilities of theSega Dreamcast,ChuChu Rocketwas a groundbreaking little game that proved to beone of Dreamcast’s most populartitles.
The game adopted a classically retro style but the chaotic action featured several characters on the screen at once.ChuChu Rocketproved that even though it was in its infancy, online console gaming was more than just a pipe dream.
13Phantasy Star Online (2000)
Released in 2000,Sonic Teamtook the long-runningPhantasy StarJRPG series online and launched the first online console RPG. A huge leap in terms of visuals when compared toChuChu Rocket,Phantasy Star Onlinebroke new groundinfluencing the likes ofFinal Fantasy 11and even theMonster Hunterseries.
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Phantasy Star Onlineis still played today on private servers and is still looked upon as a landmark title for console gaming with its glimpse into the future; its legacy lives on withPhantasy Star Online 2, which was released in the West in 2020 on theXbox One.
12Neverwinter Nights (1991)
Long before Bioware broke hearts with an egg who called himself the Dread Wolf, they createdthe world’s first game capable of online multiplayer. The internet officially launched in 1983, so online gaming was still in its infancy in the early 90s.Neverwinter Nightscombined several key facets: third-person, RPG elements, aDungeons & Dragonsframework, and game hosting.
Each server is allotted for up to ninety-six players, as well as a Dungeon Master.Neverwinter Nightsalso included combat arena modules and persistent world modules. It lacked a global chat but had individual chat rooms and truly set the tone for all online multiplayer games moving forward. Fun fact: the game also launched alongside America Online (AOL).
11Doom (1994 - 1995)
Though cheat codes aren’t so popular anymore, they became a thing thanks, in part, toDoom’smultiplayer. The original game launched in 1994 with LAN co-op and deathmatch modes. But the game released an online multiplayer update in 1996 using the DWANGO service. The “Dial-up Wide-Area Network Game Operation” worked as a matchmaking service as developed by a company in Houston, Texas. The service went on to fuelDoom II,Duke Nukem 3D,Shadow Warrior, and more.
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Doomplayerseventually developed cheat codesfor invulnerability, instant kills, weapon unlocks, and more. Not only was this game a pioneer of online multiplayer, but it also sparked what would become a robust hacking movement within video games.
