Many video games have been made over the years, but some are so special that people still love and play them today. These Retro games are like old favorite stories that never get boring. They remind us of fun times in the past and bring joy to new players too. Let’s take a look at these all-time favorite games and see what makes them so great!
Table of Content
Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo)
The adventures of Mario and Luigi as they try to rescue Princess Peach from the villain Bowser.
Super Mario Bros is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo. Released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), it follows Mario (or Luigi in multiplayer) as he embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Toadstool from the antagonist, Bowser. The game is renowned for its precise controls, iconic level design, and memorable soundtrack.
Super Mario Bros. is often regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. It played a pivotal role in reviving the video game industry after the crash of 1983 and has since become a cultural phenomenon.
You can play the deluxe version by getting it through Amazon
The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo)
Follow Link on his quest to rescue Princess Zelda and save the kingdom of Hyrule.
The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo. Released in 1986 for the NES, players control Link, who aims to collect the eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom to rescue Princess Zelda from the primary antagonist, Ganon.
The game introduced innovative gameplay elements, such as a persistent open world, battery-backed save functionality, and non-linear exploration. It has spawned a successful franchise with numerous sequels and spin-offs.
You can buy your favorite Zelda series from the link below
Tetris
The addictive puzzle game where players arrange falling blocks to complete lines.
Tetris is a tile-matching puzzle video game created by Russian software engineer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984. Players must arrange falling tetrominoes (geometric shapes) to complete lines, which then disappear, earning points.
Tetris is one of the best-selling video games of all time, with its addictive gameplay and universal appeal. It has been released on virtually every gaming platform and has influenced countless other puzzle games.
You can buy Tetris renewed on Amazon by the following and enjoy the legacy
And you can also buy the classic Nintendo Switch to relive the classic/retro game
Pac-Man
Navigate the maze, eat pellets, and avoid the ghosts in this iconic arcade game.
Pac-Man is an arcade game developed by Namco and first released in Japan in 1980. Players control Pac-Man, who must eat all the dots in a maze while avoiding four colored ghosts. Eating large flashing dots called “power pellets” allows Pac-Man to eat the ghosts temporarily.
Pac-Man is one of the most iconic and influential video games in history. Its character has become a symbol of video game culture, and the game itself has seen numerous sequels, merchandise, and adaptations.
You can still enjoy this game by using this pocket handheld game console
Space Invaders
Defend the Earth from waves of descending alien invaders.
Space Invaders is a fixed shooter arcade game developed by Tomohiro Nishikado and released in 1978. Players control a laser cannon that must fend off waves of descending alien invaders. Space Invaders was one of the earliest shooting games and set the template for the genre. Its success led to video games becoming a mainstream entertainment medium.
The pocket-friendly edition is available on Amazon to relive your memories
Street Fighter II (Capcom)
The fighting game set the standard for the genre, introducing memorable characters like Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li.
Street Fighter II, developed and published by Capcom, is a competitive fighting game released in arcades in 1991. Players select one of eight characters, each with unique moves, to battle against opponents in one-on-one combat.
Street Fighter II is credited with popularizing the fighting game genre and introducing features like combo systems. It has had a significant impact on competitive gaming and esports.
Doom (id Software)
One of the pioneers of the first-person shooter genre, where players battle demons from Hell.
Release Date: December 10, 1993
Developer: id Software
Genre: First-person shooter
Platform(s): Initially released for MS-DOS, but later ported to various other platforms.
“Doom” is a seminal first-person shooter game that was developed and published by id Software. It is considered one of the pioneering titles in the FPS genre. The game follows the story of an unnamed space marine who battles demonic forces from Hell that have been unleashed by a corrupt corporation on the moons of Mars. Players navigate through a series of levels, facing a variety of demonic enemies and challenging boss battles.
Legacy: “Doom” had a significant impact on the gaming industry, leading to the creation of numerous sequels, spin-offs, and a vast modding community. Its fast-paced gameplay, immersive graphics (for its time), and multiplayer capabilities set new standards for the FPS genre. The game’s success also led to the development of the “Doom engine”, which was used in other id Software titles and licensed to other developers.
Trivia: “Doom” was so influential that games in its genre were often referred to as “Doom clones” until the term “first-person shooter” became more widely used.
Pong
The simple yet revolutionary table tennis simulation that’s considered one of the earliest video games.
Release Date: 1972
Developer: Atari
Genre: Arcade sports (Table tennis simulation)
Platform(s): Arcade, and later various home consoles and platforms.
Description: “Pong” is one of the earliest arcade video games and is a virtual table tennis game that simulates a tennis match. The game features two paddles, controlled by players, and a ball that bounces between them. The objective is to prevent the ball from passing one’s paddle and scoring points when the opponent fails to return the ball.
Legacy: “Pong” is widely regarded as the game that launched the video game industry. While it was not the first electronic game, its widespread popularity and commercial success set the stage for the growth of the arcade gaming era. The game was conceived by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, who was inspired by the idea of creating a video version of Ping-Pong. Engineer Allan Alcorn was assigned to develop it, and the game quickly gained immense popularity in bars and arcades.
Trivia:
The first “Pong” prototype was placed in Andy Capp’s Tavern, a bar in Sunnyvale, CA. The game became so popular that the machine’s coin box overflowed with quarters due to near-constant play.
Although “Pong” was a significant success for Atari, it was not the first video game of its kind. The Magnavox Odyssey home console already featured a similar tennis game. However, “Pong” was the first to capture wide-scale public attention.
Atari later introduced a home version of “Pong” in 1975, which became a massive hit and introduced millions to the world of video games.
Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix)
Follow Cloud Strife and his allies as they battle against the mega-corporation Shinra and the villain Sephiroth.
Final Fantasy VII” is a landmark title in the world of role-playing games, developed by Square Enix. Here are the details about the game:
Overview: In “Final Fantasy VII,” players are immersed in a world where the Shinra Electric Power Company, a shadowy corporation, controls the planet’s very life force. The protagonist, Cloud Strife, a former member of Shinra’s elite SOLDIER unit turned mercenary, lends his aid to an anti-Shinra organization named Avalanche. The game’s narrative is set in the city of Midgar and offers a fully standalone gaming experience designed for RPG enthusiasts. It boasts unforgettable characters, a compelling story, and a battle system that combines thrilling real-time action with strategic, command-based combat.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade: Square Enix released an enhanced and expanded version of the critically acclaimed “Final Fantasy VII Remake” for the PlayStation 5 console, titled “Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade.” This version includes improved graphics, gameplay enhancements, and a brand-new episode featuring Yuffie Kisaragi as the main character. In this episode, titled “FF7R EPISODE INTERmission,” players can experience Yuffie’s signature battle style as she infiltrates the Shinra Corporation to steal powerful material. Yuffie’s combat abilities are diverse, allowing her to shine in both close and long-range combat. She can throw her iconic massive throwing star at enemies and use long-range ninjutsu that can be augmented with her Elemental Ninjutsu ability.
Character Details: Yuffie Kisaragi is a member of Wutai’s elite corps of ninja operatives. Her unique abilities include “Banishment,” which unleashes an attack based on how much ATB was spent before it, and “Windstorm,” creating a damaging gust of wind that damages nearby enemies. Alongside Yuffie, other characters introduced in the “FF7R EPISODE INTERmission” include Zhijie, a liaison between the new Wutaian government and Avalanche HQ, and Weiss, the ruler of Shinra’s top-secret underground research center, Deepground.
Release and Availability: “Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade” was made available as both a physical and digital Standard Edition, as well as a Digital Deluxe Edition on the PlayStation Store. Players who had purchased the original “Final Fantasy VII Remake” for the PlayStation 4 console were eligible for a free PS5 enhancement update, which included all the next-gen visual and gameplay enhancements. However, the new episode featuring Yuffie had to be purchased separately.
Legacy: “Final Fantasy VII” is renowned for redefining the RPG genre, with its captivating characters and powerful narrative. The game’s influence can be seen in many subsequent RPGs and has left an indelible mark on the gaming community.
Mega Man (Capcom)
Play as the blue bomber, battling various Robot Masters and absorbing their powers.
Mega Man, also known as Rockman in Japan, is a video game franchise created by Capcom. Here’s a brief overview:
Origin: The series debuted in 1987 with the game “Mega Man” for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
Gameplay: The games are primarily action platformers where the player, Mega Man, must traverse a series of stages and defeat unique robot bosses to acquire their weapons. These weapons can then be used in subsequent stages, adding a strategic element to gameplay.
Character: Mega Man, the titular character, is a robot created by Dr. Light. He was originally designed as a lab assistant named Rock but was later transformed into a fighting robot to combat the evil Dr. Wily and his army of Robot Masters.
Legacy: The Mega Man series has spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations, including the Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, and Mega Man Battle Network series, among others. The franchise has been praised for its challenging gameplay, memorable music, and iconic character designs.
Popularity: Over the years, Mega Man has become one of Capcom’s flagship franchises, with games released on multiple platforms, merchandise, animated series, and even a live-action film adaptation in development.
Latest Installments: The most recent mainline game in the series is “Mega Man 11”, which was released in 2018. It brought back the Retro 2D action-platformer gameplay with modern graphics and new gameplay mechanics.
Castlevania (Konami)
Navigate Dracula’s castle, battling monsters and undead creatures with the iconic whip.
Developer & Publisher: Konami
First Release: “Castlevania” was first released in 1986.
Platform: It was initially released for the Famicom Disk System in Japan and later for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in North America.
Description: “Castlevania” is a series of horror-themed action-adventure games. Players take on the role of a member of the Belmont family, a clan of vampire hunters, and battle Dracula and other supernatural foes. The series is known for its challenging gameplay, atmospheric graphics, and iconic music.
Sonic the Hedgehog (SEGA)
Speed through levels as Sonic, collecting rings and battling Dr. Robotnik.
Developer & Publisher: SEGA
First Release: “Sonic the Hedgehog” was first released in 1991.
Platform: It was initially released for the SEGA Genesis.
Description: “Sonic the Hedgehog” is a series of platform games featuring the titular character, Sonic, a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds. The main objective is to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik (also known as Dr. Eggman) from taking over the world. The series is known for its fast-paced gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music.
Metroid (Nintendo)
Explore alien worlds as Samus Aran, battling space pirates and seeking out power-ups.
Description: “Metroid” is an action-adventure game franchise created by Nintendo. The player controls the bounty hunter Samus Aran, who protects the galaxy from Space Pirates and other malevolent forces and their attempts to harness the power of the parasitic Metroid creatures. The series combines platforming elements with exploration in a science fiction setting and emphasizes nonlinear gameplay. Most Metroid games are side-scrolling, while some use a first-person perspective. The series is known for its isolated atmosphere, featuring few non-player characters. The first Metroid game was released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. The franchise has seen various releases on different Nintendo platforms, including the Game Boy, SNES, GameCube, and the Nintendo Switch. The series has also been represented in other Nintendo media, including the Super Smash Bros. series. The term “Metroidvania” has been coined to describe games with continuous, explorable side-scrolling levels, inspired by both the Metroid and Castlevania series.
Latest Release: “Metroid Prime Remastered” was released on February 8, 2023.
Notable Game: “Metroid Dread” is a critically acclaimed game where the player joins bounty hunter Samus Aran as she tries to escape a deadly alien world. The game features Samus being trapped on Planet ZDR, which has been overrun by vicious alien lifeforms and murderous robots called E.M.M.I. The gameplay involves navigating through a labyrinth of enemies, with Samus being more agile and capable than ever. The game also includes classic Metroid gameplay elements, such as gaining abilities and returning to previous areas to find new areas and hidden upgrades. “Metroid Dread” was released for the Nintendo Switch.
Donkey Kong
The game introduced Mario (then known as Jumpman) as he tried to rescue his girlfriend from the titular ape.
Developer & Publisher: Nintendo
First Release: “Donkey Kong” was first released in 1981.
Platform: It was initially released as an arcade game.
Description: “Donkey Kong” is a series of video games featuring the adventures of a gorilla named Donkey Kong. The original game was an early example of the platform game genre, where players control Mario (then known simply as “Jumpman”) and must rescue a damsel in distress named Pauline from the giant ape. The series has since evolved, with Donkey Kong and his nephew Diddy Kong going on various adventures, often to reclaim their stolen banana hoard from various antagonists.
Asteroids
Pilot a spaceship and destroy asteroids while avoiding collisions in this classic arcade shooter.
Release Date: Originally released in 1979.
Developer: Developed by Atari, Inc.
Gameplay: “Asteroids” is a space-themed multidirectional shooter arcade game. The player controls a spaceship in an asteroid field which is periodically traversed by flying saucers. The objective of the game is to shoot and destroy asteroids and saucers while not colliding with either or being hit by the saucers’ counter-fire.
Graphics: The game is rendered in vector graphics, which gives it a distinctive look compared to the raster displays of many other games from its era.
Legacy: “Asteroids” was one of the first major hits of the golden age of arcade games. Its success led to the release of sequels and the development of other games influenced by its gameplay mechanics.
Popularity: It quickly became Atari’s best-selling arcade game and remains one of the most iconic and influential video games of all time.
Controls: The game is controlled using buttons only: one button for thrusting, one for shooting, and one for rotating the ship left or right. Some versions also included a hyperspace button that would teleport the player’s ship to a random location on the screen.
Impact: “Asteroids” has been referenced and parodied in various movies, television shows, and other media. Its influence can be seen in numerous subsequent video games, especially in the shooter genre.
Super Metroid (Nintendo)
Dive deeper into the Metroid universe with improved graphics, gameplay, and a gripping storyline.
Title: Super Metroid
Developer: Nintendo Research & Development 1
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
Release Date: March 19, 1994 (Japan), April 18, 1994 (North America)
Genre: Action-adventure
Gameplay: The game follows protagonist Samus Aran as she attempts to rescue a baby Metroid from the Space Pirates. Players control Samus as she searches the planet Zebes to retrieve the Metroid while battling enemies and collecting power-ups to enhance her abilities. The game is known for its atmospheric exploration and tight controls.
Legacy: “Super Metroid” is considered one of the greatest video games of all time. It has been praised for its atmospheric gameplay, audio, and graphics. The game has influenced many other titles in the Metroidvania subgenre.
Notable Features: The game introduced several new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to grab ledges and stack weapon upgrades. It also featured a save system, allowing players to save their progress at designated save points.
Contra (Konami)
Run and gun through levels, either solo or with a friend, battling waves of enemies and challenging bosses.
Developer: Konami
Release Date: February 20, 1987
Genre: Run and gun
Platform: Initially released for arcades, later ported to various platforms including the NES.
Description: Contra is a classic run-and-gun action game that was first released in arcades. Players take on the roles of Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, two commandos sent to an island to destroy an alien entity and its army. The game is known for its challenging gameplay, iconic power-ups, and memorable music. It has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs over the years.
Mortal Kombat (Midway)
The fighting game is known for its brutal fatalities and diverse roster of fighters.
Developer: Midway Games
Release Date: October 8, 1992
Genre: Fighting
Platform: Initially released for arcades, later ported to various platforms.
Description: Mortal Kombat is a legendary fighting game that introduces players to a unique cast of characters, each with their own special moves and fatalities. The game is known for its brutal finishing moves and its controversial depiction of violence, which led to the creation of the ESRB video game rating system. The game’s success led to numerous sequels, spin-offs, movies, and merchandise.
SimCity (Maxis)
The city-building simulation game where players design, build, and manage their own city.
SimCity is a city-building simulation game developed by Maxis and first released in 1989. It was designed by Will Wright and is the first game in the SimCity series. The game allows players to build and manage a city, making decisions on zoning, infrastructure, and city services. The objective is to create a thriving metropolis while managing challenges like crime, pollution, and natural disasters.
Key Features and Details:
Gameplay: Players act as the mayor of a city and are responsible for its growth and development. They can zone areas for residential, commercial, or industrial development, lay down roads, and railways, and set tax rates.
Graphics: The game features a top-down perspective, and the graphics, while simple by today’s standards, were considered advanced for its time.
Challenges: Players must manage various city problems, including traffic congestion, crime, and pollution. Natural disasters like tornadoes, earthquakes, and fires can also strike, testing the player’s crisis management skills.
Budget Management: A significant part of the game revolves around managing the city’s budget. Players must ensure that they have enough funds to provide essential services like police, fire, and health care.
Reception: SimCity was critically acclaimed upon its release and is credited with popularizing the city-building game genre. It has spawned several sequels and spin-offs over the years.
Legacy: SimCity’s success led to the development of several sequels, including SimCity 2000, SimCity 3000, and SimCity 4. The game also inspired other “Sim” titles from Maxis, such as “The Sims,” which became a massive hit in its own right.
Prince of Persia (Broderbund)
Navigate dungeons, avoid traps, and battle enemies in this platformer with fluid animations.
Release Date: 1989
Developer: Broderbund
Platform: Initially released for the Apple II, but later ported to various other platforms.
Genre: Cinematic platformer
Gameplay: The game is set in ancient Persia. The player controls an unnamed protagonist who must venture through a series of dungeons to defeat the Grand Vizier Jaffar and save an imprisoned princess. The game is renowned for its fluid character animations, which were achieved by rotoscoping live-action footage.
Legacy: “Prince of Persia” is considered one of the most influential video games of its time. Its success led to the release of two sequels, “Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow & The Flame” and “Prince of Persia 3D”, as well as a reboot in the 2000s with “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”. The game has been adapted into various other media, including a film adaptation in 2010.
Trivia: The game’s development was led by Jordan Mechner, who used videos of his brother running and jumping to create the game’s signature animation style.
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