Retro games are back with a bang. Nowadays, it's not difficult to find retro game consoles, handheld consoles, and DIY kits that help you relive your childhood memories. But nostalgia is powerful, and some of those game titles you remember forever might not be so great. Fortunately, a few retro games have stood the test of time.
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I grew up in the 80s, when a mustachioed plumber was fashionable and a blue hedgehog was considered cool. Back when Genesis did what Nintendo didn't, the bitness of your console was the most important thing there was. It was a time when console gaming was gaining momentum, and we were inundated with so many games (good and bad).
Recently, I was reminiscing about the good old days, when playing video games wasn't so much about how fast your ping was as how fast your friend could come over to your house. So I wondered which games, out of all the games that came out back then, are still fun to play today, even if they look terrible (and believe me, some are really bad).
With this in mind, we decided to put together a list of some of the great retro games that are still possible to play today.
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1. Super Mario Bros.
Let's start with the game that made Mario a household name, Super Mario Bros.
I remember playing this game for the first time and being amazed at how much fun it was. There was no story, no tutorial, just a plumber on a mission to save a princess (who was never where she was supposed to be). I still vividly remember playing this game at a friend's house (this was before I was lucky enough to have my own NES) and trying to see who could complete each stage the fastest. Surprisingly, Mario's first outing still holds up today. Sure, the game can be completed in about an hour (if you don't use warps), but every minute of that hour will undoubtedly be filled with fun.
Mario still controls as well as I remember it as a child and while the new games tend to be flashier and filled with all kinds of wonderful power-ups, the original is still as enjoyable as it was years ago so many years. As soon as you pounce on the first of those pesky goombas, you'll immediately remember why players revere this game so much. Super Mario Bros. is a great retro game and a part of gaming history that helped create the empire we know today as Nintendo.
2. Sonic the Hedgehog
From Mario to his nemesis: the blue hedgehog we all loved, grew to hate, and seem to love again. If any video game character had a sordid history, then Sonic the Hedgehog would be it.
Responding to the growing popularity of Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog was not a game like any other when it was released. Gone was the slow moving from point A to point B. Instead, Sonic could run through a level at full speed (at least, at the time, it seemed fast). Of course, this was all due to the treatment of the Sega Genesis explosion, which, although it allowed the Sonic games to have faster horizontal movement, was blown out of proportion by the company's marketing department. Company. Whether the blast processing was as important as Sega said it was or not, one thing is for sure, seeing Sonic run across a stage at high speed was exhilarating for a young child. While Sonic's speed through the Green Hill Zone is a sight to behold (especially back then), the music played an equally important role in our appreciation of the title. I remember having the different songs stuck in my head for days and days.
The game's colorful levels, creative characters, and catchy music make Sonic the Hedgehog still worth playing today.
3. Pokémon Red
If you mention the word Pokémon, chances are people will immediately pull out their cell phones and yell “where?” ” and “which one? “. Pokémon Go has become a household name, even my mother plays it. Few people can't tell their Squirtle from their Pikachu.
While Pokémon Go did a great job introducing newcomers to the franchise, I still remember playing the game on the Game Boy for the first time. My brother actually owned a Game Boy, and I had to beg him to play Pokémon Red (go Growlithe) on it. And after many days of begging, I finally took my first steps into the world of Pokémon. So what makes Pokémon Red still relevant? Basically, it all comes down to the mechanics of the game. For the most part, each installment of the franchise involves exploring the different towns, capturing Pokémon, and defeating the multiple hall bosses. It's a simple yet addictive loop that has kept many fans of the series coming back for each new game.
For a game that's around 20 years old, it's still surprisingly fun and addictive. Sure, it can be tricky to twist your Game Boy so the light falls just right on it and you can see what's going on, but once that's out of the way, returning to the Kanto region is as much fun as it was in my memory. There's something to be said for the way the game slowly reveals new areas and mechanics to you, really making you feel like you're on an epic journey to become the best Pokémon trainer (cue the theme song of the cartoon). Instead of hunting these elusive creatures on your cell phone, why not try the game that started it all?
4. Against
When I finally got my own Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), I didn't have access to many cooperative games for the console, but one game I did get with my console was a frustrating little gem called Contra .
Contra was one of the first couch co-op games I remember playing with my friends. Playing as Bill “Mad Dog” Rizer and Lance “Scorpion” Bean (aren’t those the best names of the 80s?), we had a lot of fun taking down aliens. However, one thing that has stuck with me all these years is that the game was damn difficult. I initially thought it might be because I was an uncoordinated child the last time I played the game, but even as an adult it's surprisingly difficult to beat the game ( or maybe I'm bad at this game). Even while playing with a friend, I died often (this was also mainly due to the friend causing most of my deaths), but as we got used to the game again, we were quickly downing enemies like well-oiled action heroes from the 80s.
Contra may not be a very long game, but its difficulty coupled with the variety of its gameplay, its power-ups (salute the spreader gun) and above all, its ability to play with a friend makes this game shooting a game worth restarting.
5. Aladdin
One of my favorite Disney animated films of all time, Aladdin, was equal parts dramatic, funny and magical. So when the licensed game came out on the Sega Genesis, I knew it had to be up to the task.
It's important to note that before this game's release, many licensed games were, at best, completely okay and, at worst, completely rubbish. Aladdin showed us that licensed games can be faithful to the original hardware and still be fun. And while the game's solid gameplay mechanics go a long way toward making it a great game, it's the game's striking visuals and music, which seem straight out of the animated film, that elevate this game to retro greatness. Sure, there are probably better retro platformers out there, but Aladdin combines everything I love about the movie and packs it into a fast, fun experience; you really feel like you're playing the film itself. One small downside: this damn flying carpet level is brutal; I think this is the first time I lost my temper while playing a game.
If you like tight controls, gorgeous graphics, and stunning soundtrack (and if you like Disney movies), this game is worth reviewing.
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6. Micro Machines 2
I remember recently hearing about the new racing game Micro Machines, which made my heart race. Finally, we were going to have a new game in a franchise that I loved as a kid. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case and I wished the game hadn't come out at all, because it mostly tarnished the name of one of the most beloved retro racing series of all time.
Micro Machines 2, based on the miniature vehicles that were so popular in the 80s and 90s, saw players choose one of these miniature racers and try to beat their opponents in a fast-paced race. What sets this game apart from other racing games is that the courses are made up of everyday objects that can be found in a regular home, like drill bits, walkie talkies, and various other obstacles. The routes ranged from the kitchen counter to a pool table, each one as creative as the last. Mastering your little car takes practice, but with solid controls, it doesn't take too long to get the hang of it. While the original game established the idea of racing small vehicles around wacky tracks, the sequel added a bunch of new modes, like time trials, tournaments, and an improved single-player mode. .
Overall, this is one of those sequels that has expanded on the original in every area, and if you like retro racing games, you should give it a try.
7. Super Mario Kart
When it comes to great retro racing games, there's probably none more famous than Super Mario Kart for the SNES.
Although I never personally owned Super Mario Kart, I remember having sleepovers at a friend's house who owned the game. For its time, the game revolutionized the car racing genre with its precise controls, its challenging AI, its addictive multiplayer mode and, above all, its very fun side. Best of all, the game lets you choose your driver from a roster of well-known Nintendo characters, including Bowser, Yoshi, and even Donkey Kong Junior. There's something exhilarating about racing against friends, dodging their various attacks and power-ups. You can pick up various power-ups to help you and annoy your friends. Some of these bonuses, like the infamous blue shell, have broken many friendships over the years.
If you're looking for a retro racing game with plenty of charm and retro graphics that hold up even by today's standards, then grab some friends and get your hands on Super Mario Kart.
8. Tetris
When the Nintendo Game Boy launched, it wasn't the most advanced handheld console on the market and was vastly inferior to its competitors. So what helped make Nintendo's small (okay, big) handheld console such a success? One word: Tetris.
Yes, that's right, when the Game Boy was released it came with Tetris, an unknown puzzle game with a mysterious past. The game proved so addictive that it helped increase sales of the Game Boy even more. Who would have thought that a game consisting of aligning pieces in the shape of blocks would be so successful?
Today, Tetris is still one of the most popular and engaging puzzle games. The game has spawned numerous iterations, with the latest being titled Tetris Effect and due for release later this year. With the basic mechanics of this popular game remaining virtually unchanged over the years, the original is still relevant today.
9. Street Fighter II
Now, children, come sit around the fire and let me tell you about a wonderful thing called the arcade. Long before there were powerful consoles connected to your flat-screen TV, kids who wanted to play games had to go to a place called an arcade. Inside this place was a wonderful world, filled with magical furniture that could be played on by dropping money or tokens into a slot. One of these magical pieces of furniture contained a game called Street Fighter II, a 2D fighting game that pitted two fighters against each other.
I remember going to the local arcade and spending hours and what at the time was a lot of money on this particular game. Mastering the moves of a specific fighter after weeks of training became a mark of honor. So when the game finally came out on the SNES, it was incredible news for my parents and I, who realized how much money they could save by buying the game and the console.
Even today, Street Fighter II is a masterful fighting game. Although its predecessors have surpassed it, it still holds up surprisingly well for a game of its age.
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10. Adventures of Rocket Knight
One thing to remember from the '80s is that, for some unknown reason (maybe something in the water), anthropomorphic animals were all the rage, and the more radical the better. This is how Konami got into the mascot game: an armor-wearing opossum called Sparkster.
He may not have been as awesome as Sonic or had a majestic mustache like Mario, but Sparkster was an underrated mascot with an even more underrated game. Like most platform games, Sparkster's mission is to save a princess and the kingdom. Basically a standard platformer. The difference between Sparkster and other more famous mascots is that he has access to a pack of rockets that he can charge and propel himself into the air. Sparkster's ability to use rockets is very useful, especially when he has to face the game's bosses. Visually, the game still looks surprisingly good, the animations are smooth and Sparkster exudes a lot of charm. The game also has a memorable soundtrack that will get stuck in your head in no time.
If you're a fan of old-school platformers and animal mascots, then Rocket Knight Adventures is an underrated game worth revisiting.
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