Game shows were everywhere in the 90s. Kids raced home for Nickelodeon's slime-filled challenges and obstacle courses, PBS turned geography into a chase across the globe, and grown-ups watched supermarket dashes and family feuds. Then, in 1999, a primetime quiz show became a national obsession. These are the 20 best 90s game shows.
Quick answer
The best 90s game shows include Legends of the Hidden Temple, GUTS, Double Dare, Nick Arcade, Figure It Out, Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, Supermarket Sweep, Family Feud, American Gladiators and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Key takeaways
- Nickelodeon made the most iconic kids game shows of the decade.
- Physical challenges, slime and giant sets were the 90s formula.
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (1999) revived primetime game shows.
The 20 best 90s game shows
| # | Show | Years | Network | Famous for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Legends of the Hidden Temple | 1993–1995 | Nickelodeon | The temple run and the Olmec head |
| 2 | GUTS | 1992–1996 | Nickelodeon | Extreme sports events and the Aggro Crag |
| 3 | Double Dare | 1986–1993 | Nickelodeon | Physical challenges and slime |
| 4 | Nick Arcade | 1992–1993 | Nickelodeon | Kids playing inside a video game |
| 5 | Figure It Out | 1997–1999 | Nickelodeon | Celebrity panels and slime |
| 6 | Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? | 1991–1995 | PBS | Geography chase with an a cappella group |
| 7 | Wild & Crazy Kids | 1990–1992 | Nickelodeon | Giant outdoor team games |
| 8 | Supermarket Sweep | 1990–1995 | Lifetime | Racing shopping carts through the aisles |
| 9 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | 1999– | ABC | "Is that your final answer?" |
| 10 | Family Feud | 1988–1995, 1999– | Syndicated | "Survey says!" |
| 11 | American Gladiators | 1989–1996 | Syndicated | Contenders vs. Gladiators |
| 12 | Jeopardy! | 1984– | Syndicated | Answers in the form of a question |
| 13 | Wheel of Fortune | 1975– | Syndicated | Spinning the wheel |
| 14 | The Price Is Right | 1972– | CBS | Plinko and "Come on down!" |
| 15 | Singled Out | 1995–1998 | MTV | A loud, silly dating game |
| 16 | Win Ben Stein's Money | 1997–2003 | Comedy Central | Beat the host at trivia |
| 17 | Debt | 1996–1998 | Lifetime | Winning money to pay off debt |
| 18 | Shop 'til You Drop | 1991–2005 | Lifetime / PAX | Shopping-mall stunts |
| 19 | Fun House | 1988–1991 | Syndicated | A neon obstacle course |
| 20 | Wheel 2000 | 1997–1998 | CBS / Game Show Network | A kids version of Wheel |
Nickelodeon's game show empire
Nickelodeon built game shows around what kids actually wanted: getting messy, running obstacle courses and winning prizes. Legends of the Hidden Temple mixed trivia with a final temple run where teams raced through rooms full of puzzles and temple guards. GUTS turned kids into athletes on a giant indoor set, ending with the climb up the Aggro Crag. Nick Arcade put contestants inside a video game years before that was possible at home. For the rest of the network's lineup, see 90s Nickelodeon shows.
Fun fact: The temple guards in Legends of the Hidden Temple jumped out of hidden doors to "capture" contestants. Getting caught in the Shrine of the Silver Monkey was a heartbreak shared by a whole generation.
Primetime: the Millionaire moment
By the late 90s, game shows had mostly moved to daytime. That changed in August 1999 when Who Wants to Be a Millionaire premiered in the US on ABC. Its dramatic lighting, tense music and lifelines made it appointment TV, and its catchphrases were everywhere. It helped bring game shows back to primetime.
Bring 90s game shows to your party
Supermarket Sweep relay
Hide snack items around the room and race to "shop" for the most points.
Temple run
Build an obstacle course with three rooms and a hidden item to find.
Double Dare challenges
Messy physical challenges with whipped cream or slime (outdoors).
Family Feud
Survey your guests ahead of time and play teams.
Aggro Crag finale
A pillow mountain to climb for the winner's prize.
For more ideas, see our 90s party games.
Conclusion
90s game shows were loud, messy and impossible not to watch. Keep the rewind going with 90s kids TV shows and the best 90s sitcoms.
Frequently asked questions
What were the best kids game shows of the 90s?
Legends of the Hidden Temple, GUTS, Double Dare, Nick Arcade, Figure It Out, Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? and Wild & Crazy Kids were the most popular kids game shows of the 90s.
When was Legends of the Hidden Temple on TV?
Legends of the Hidden Temple aired on Nickelodeon from 1993 to 1995, and reruns kept it on TV for years after.
What was the Aggro Crag?
The Aggro Crag was the giant fake mountain that contestants climbed in the final round of Nickelodeon's GUTS (1992–1996).
When did Who Wants to Be a Millionaire start in the US?
The US version premiered on ABC in August 1999 and quickly became one of the most-watched shows on television.
Can I play 90s game shows at a party?
Yes. Supermarket Sweep, Double Dare style physical challenges, a temple run obstacle course and Millionaire-style trivia all work well at a 90s party.