The 1990s were a golden era for point-and-click adventure games-an unforgettable decade where storytelling, atmosphere, and puzzle-solving ruled the PC gaming world. With hand-drawn graphics, iconic characters, and razor-sharp writing, these games invited players into imaginative worlds filled with mystery, humor, and heart.
The Golden Age of Point & Click: 10 Adventure Classics from the 1990s
Whether you were traveling through time, unraveling conspiracies, or sword-fighting with insults, the genre offered a unique blend of challenge and charm that still holds up today. In this list, we revisit 10 of the most beloved and influential point-and-click adventures from the ’90s-games that helped define a generation and continue to inspire fans and developers alike.
10. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992)
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: LucasArts
This original story features Indy on a quest to find the lost city of Atlantis, with puzzles and action sequences spread across multiple continents. The game offers three paths – Team, Wits, and Fists – adding variety and replayability. It feels like a true lost movie in the Indiana Jones franchise.
The game’s branching paths were a rare and innovative feature for its time.
Fan sentiment: Considered better than some of the actual Indy movies.
“That’s just a statue. Don’t get any ideas.”
9. King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow (1992)
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: Sierra On-Line
This Sierra title follows Prince Alexander as he tries to rescue his true love from a magical island kingdom. With multiple paths and endings, it offers deep replayability. The game mixes fairy tale fantasy with a richly illustrated world and poetic storytelling.
The game’s co-writer, Jane Jensen, later created the Gabriel Knight series.
Fan sentiment: Often seen as the pinnacle of the King’s Quest series.
“Logic and love have little to do with each other.”
8. Full Throttle (1995)
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: LucasArts
Set in a dystopian future of biker gangs and mega-corporations, this adventure stars Ben, the leader of the Polecats. It’s shorter than other LucasArts games but packs a cinematic punch with high-octane sequences and a rock soundtrack. The game’s themes and voice acting give it a gritty charm.
The game’s lead voice actor was Roy Conrad, whose performance as Ben became iconic despite being one of his few game roles.
Fan sentiment: A cult classic admired for its attitude and stylish presentation.
“I’m not puttin’ my lips on that.”
7. Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars (1996)
Developer: Revolution Software
Publisher: Virgin Interactive
This game follows American tourist George Stobbart and French journalist Nico Collard through a conspiracy involving the Knights Templar. Its European settings and hand-drawn art style give it a cinematic quality. The tone balances mystery and light-hearted adventure masterfully.
It was so popular that it led to several sequels and a 2013 director’s cut.
Fan sentiment: A smart, polished game that reinvigorated the genre in Europe.
“Paris in the fall. The last months of the year, and the end of the millennium.”
6. Sam & Max Hit the Road (1993)
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: LucasArts
A road trip comedy featuring a dog detective and his psychotic rabbit sidekick, it’s known for its bizarre humor and surreal Americana. The puzzles are quirky and non-linear, and the dialogue is razor-sharp. It was a spin-off from Steve Purcell’s comic series and became a fan favorite.
The game’s engine, SCUMM, was adapted to allow even more expressive animations for the duo.
Fan sentiment: Loved for its anarchic humor and unforgettable characters.
“Let’s go save the world… and pick up some snacks.”
5. Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers (1993)
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: Sierra On-Line
This darker, more mature adventure features Gabriel, a struggling novelist investigating a series of voodoo murders in New Orleans. It balances supernatural themes with real-world cultural elements, creating a moody and rich narrative. The voice acting, including Tim Curry and Mark Hamill, added serious depth.
Jane Jensen, the game’s writer, based many story elements on extensive research into real voodoo practices.
Fan sentiment: One of the most atmospheric and story-driven adventures ever made.
“Adventure, murder, sex… it sells books.”
4. Day of the Tentacle (1993)
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: LucasArts
A zany time-traveling tale where three unlikely heroes try to stop the evil Purple Tentacle from taking over the world. The game is known for its cartoon-style art and seamless character switching across time periods. Each puzzle is cleverly tied to cause-and-effect across the past, present, and future.
It includes the entire original Maniac Mansion game as an Easter egg you can play on a computer in-game.
Fan sentiment: A masterclass in puzzle design and comedic writing.
“Purple Tentacle is on the loose again. Somebody get me my pants!”
3. The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)
Developer: Lucasfilm Games
Publisher: Lucasfilm Games
This is the game that started it all for Guybrush Threepwood and his quest to become a mighty pirate. With iconic locations like Melee Island and the ghost pirate LeChuck, it introduced humor, insult sword fighting, and puzzle-solving brilliance. Its intuitive interface made it accessible even to newcomers.
The game was originally inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland.
Fan sentiment: A genre-defining classic that set the bar for all that followed.
“You fight like a dairy farmer!”
2. Grim Fandango (1998)
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: LucasArts
Set in the Land of the Dead, players guide Manny Calavera, a travel agent for the recently deceased, on a noir-inspired journey. It blends Aztec mythology with 1940s film noir aesthetics in a uniquely stylized 3D world. The voice acting, especially Tony Plana as Manny, is top-notch. Though initially overlooked, it later gained cult status.
The game was LucasArts’ first to use 3D characters over pre-rendered backgrounds.
Fan sentiment: A cult classic beloved for its art style and narrative depth.
“My scythe… I like to keep it next to where my heart used to be.”
1. Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge (1991)
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: LucasArts
A sequel to The Secret of Monkey Island, this game continues the adventures of Guybrush Threepwood as he tries to find the legendary treasure Big Whoop. It’s renowned for its witty dialogue, surreal humor, and inventive puzzles. The hand-drawn graphics and Caribbean atmosphere are especially memorable. The game is packed with parody and self-referential jokes that define LucasArts’ style.
If you wait too long in one scene, Guybrush says,
“Look behind you! A three-headed monkey!”
– spawning a running gag across the series.
Fan sentiment: Widely considered one of the funniest and cleverest adventure games ever made.
