When you think of your all-time favorite video games, it’s a tough battle. With so much that goes into the spectrum of gaming, how do you compare a high definition first person shooter to a classic 8-bit scroller? It’s Mario vs. Mortal Kombat X or Galaga vs. GTA V. However, these sorts of video games are not truly comparable. Honoring the classics while appreciating the industry’s developments are not mutually exclusive activities. With that in mind, here is our homage to the five best retro video games!
Number Five: Pac-Man. Pac-Man was originally launched in Japan by Namco in the 1980s, but with many other games more popularized it was gravely ignored. However, in North America, a much bigger audience immediately fell in love with this yellow waka-waka powerhouse. By people playing this in the arcades so often, Pac-Man produced over $1 billion in quarters collectively. There are over 350,000 video game systems that offer Pac-Man in arcades across North America. This is one of the most influential games of the worlds, whether you remember the iconic mascot or those pesky ghosts.
Number Four: Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Bros is another wildly popular game which started in Japan by Nintendo. It then spread like wildfire once it hit North America on May 15th 1987. This is when the major plot of their game series actually started, when Mario (and if you play 2-player, Luigi,) go through Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Although this game has been out since the late eighties, it has sold over 40 million copies, has numerous spin-offs and special editions, and is known as the best game to win people’s hearts.
Number Three: Tetris. Tetris is a truly authentic game that almost everyone knows and loves. Designed in Russia by a programmer named Alexey Pajitnov, this was one of the first games released by the USSR that entered America. This is also one of the few games that you can find on multiple platforms, such as gaming systems, phones, and even calculators. All in all, Tetris has sold over 170 million copies. It is even offered on newer systems, such as PS4 and Xbox One.
Number Two: Mortal Kombat. Mortal Kombat is an amazing fighter game, produced right here in the USA! The game was created in 1992 in Chicago, and today it’s owned by Warner Bros Entertainment. This game’s rise to fame due to both its catchy theme song and the bloody and violent nature of the game. Not only does it have four arcade system platforms, but Mortal Kombat has also been released on more recent systems. As a kicker, the game has an emotion-filled plot with backstories for nearly every character.
Number One: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. When it comes to development, this game takes the cake. Developed by the master known as Shigeru Miyamoto, instead of a normal-style game, Ocarina of Time is enveloped by stories and an amazing plot sequence. This is a classic game everyone knows and loves. Despite its wide acclaim, this game isn’t easy, and it has a plethora of environments that you’ll either curse or praise. This game is a classic tale that marks the childhood of many.
