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Being age seven in 1995, I never tried to improve or beat my scores.

I was simply entranced by the impressive 3D graphics, reactive sci-fi noises, and flashing lights.

Age of Empires II: Age of Kings original 90s disk in front of the original Game of the Year game box.

Age of Empires II: Age of Kings is an absolute classic, but where does it fall in the list of most impactful Microsoft games?

Rumors made it sound like the game was removed for legal reasons.

So, it was meant to fulfill adventure fantasies rather than have realistic physics.

Until then, you might enjoy Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge onXbox Game Pass.

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4) Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982)

Yep,anotheraviation game appears on the list.

Shortly after this acquisition, Microsoft Flight Simulator was released for IBM PC.

The preeminent title ended up selling about800,000 copies in its first five years.

3D Pinball Space Cadet - High Score - YouTube

Newer games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition have radial menus to make it easier to play these strategy games with controllers.

The fantasy gets even more realistic with the use of thebest flight sticksand controls.

However, it’s still largely considered one of the very best flight sim series out there.

3) Microsoft Minesweeper (1990)

Most of us have heard of Minesweeper (a.k.a.

1982 (1984) Microsoft Flight Simulator trailer - YouTube

Flower Field), but where did it come from?

Or so I’ve been told.

I wouldn’t know firsthand, considering I was seven at the time.

Minesweeper (Full Game) (Windows 95) - YouTube

Those deceptively simple boxes can keep your attention for hours.

If there’s a 3, then it’s in contact with three mines.

So on and so forth.

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings - YouTube

To say AoE2 was popular is an understatement.

But that wasn’t the end of AoE2’s expansion packs.

Even after all of these releases, AoE2 is largely considered the best of the group.

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition - Controller wheel

Newer games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition have radial menus to make it easier to play these strategy games with controllers.

“You played two hours to die like this?““WOLOLO!”

What more could you want?

AoE2 left a lasting impact on a generation, and it’s still going strong.

Solitaire (Full Game) (Windows 95) - YouTube

You know the rush I’m talking about.

It’s easy to pick up and is more approachable than a competitive game like AoE.

It was so popular that it ended up getting remade and ported to various platforms, including Windows.

Metal Gear Solid (2000, Konami) - YouTube

The series is still going strong, withMetal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eaterlaunching in August 2025.

Cards falling and bouncing on the screen after a game of Microsoft Solitaire was won.

I’m basically addicted to seeing the Solitaire cards bounce and fill the screen.

Xbox

The boxes for Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings and The Conquerors Expansion with a Windows Central 50 Microsoft badge

MSN Messenger running with escargot.chat to replace .NET Passport

An original Xbox controller on a leather jacket.

Xbox in a field

Lisa Simpson delivers a presentation but is thwarted by the blue screen of death

Bill Gates holding up a copy of Windows XP operating system in New York�s Times Square.

Apple Store in Bangkok, Thailand

Cloud servers

Microsoft 50

Microsoft event

Lenovo IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 deal

Promotional screenshot of characters from Zenless Zone Zero

A closeup shot of the MSI Claw 8 AI+�s ABXY buttons.

The Crew

Promotional screenshot of a superpowered football kick in Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road

Image of the Keychron K4 HE Special Edition in white.