This was the first real FPS I ever saw in an arcade.
Sure, Doom was making waves on PC, but nothing compared to hearing "ACTION!", "RELOAD!", and the constant tick of the timer pressuring you as you dove for cover.
Every shot felt intense and real — even if the graphics don’t hold up by today’s standards, it was something truly special at the time.
You played as this sharp-suited action hero that felt like a blend of Die Hard and James Bond — cool, confident, and fearless.
It had everything a kid could dream of: guns, explosions, ninjas, knives, over-the-top villains, and of course, a damsel in distress.
The arcade light gun was the first “real” gun I had ever held. Watching older kids and adults play it? Pure adrenaline. I wanted to be that cool too.
Time Crisis was everywhere — every mall, every arcade, usually right up front to grab your attention the moment you walked in.
Years later I played it on my PS1, but it just didn’t feel the same.
Maybe I’m just nostalgic…
But oh boy, this game takes me back.
Time Crisis is timeless.