As I look back on my childhood and teenage years, I can’t help but feel a rush of nostalgia when I think about the classic video games I used to play. In a world where gaming has become so realistic and complex, there’s something special about revisiting the simple yet engaging games that kicked off the video game revolution. In this article, I take a fond look back at some of my all-time favorite retro video games and examine why they still hold such an enduring appeal.
Super Mario Bros
The game that truly launched Nintendo into dominance and cemented Mario as a pop culture icon, Super Mario Bros was first released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). I still remember the feeling of awe and wonder I had when first booting up this seminal side-scrolling platformer.
From the very first level, Super Mario Bros immersed me in its magical mushroom kingdom. I would spend hours jumping on Goombas, dodging fireballs from Bowser’s minions, and frantically searching for the next power-up mushroom.
Some key elements that make Super Mario Bros such an iconic classic include:
- Addictive gameplay – with tight controls, clever level design, and perfectly tuned difficulty curve. Jumping and bouncing off enemies is instantly satisfying.
- Iconic characters and enemies – from Mario and Luigi themselves to quintessential adversaries like Bowser and Bloopers. They are etched into gaming lore.
- Catchy 8-bit music – who could forget the main overworld theme? The chirpy melodies are unforgettable.
- Pioneering graphics – the colorful, blocky visuals were excellent for the time. Mario’s animations like running and jumping are full of personality.
- Power-ups – finding a Super Mushroom to grow big or a Fire Flower to shoot fireballs added an exciting new twist.
Decades later, Super Mario Bros remains one of the finest examples of sublime game design and exhilarating platforming challenges. It laid the framework for so many games that came after it. Replaying it always fills me with joy.
The Legend of Zelda
In 1986, Nintendo hit paydirt again with The Legend of Zelda on the NES. Embarking on epic quests through Hyrule as young hero Link made me feel like I was going on a real fantasy adventure. The sense of exploration, discovery, and mystery was palpable.
Some of the key strengths I remember about The Legend of Zelda include:
- A massive world – Hyrule felt genuinely huge, teeming with secrets to uncover. No game had done open world exploration so ambitiously before.
- Clever puzzles – navigating dungeons required logic and critical thinking to push blocks, find keys, and uncover hidden passages.
- Upgradeable weapons/items – getting the White Sword or Magical Boomerang brought awesome new abilities.
- Rich storytelling – rescuing Princess Zelda from Ganon unfolded like an interactive mythological epic.
- Freedom of choice – the open world structure let you choose how to proceed and tackle dungeons. This was trailblazing.
Roaming across the fields and forests of Hyrule while that unforgettable main theme played made me feel like the possibilities were endless. The Legend of Zelda established itself as a truly special adventure.
Sonic the Hedgehog
When the Sega Genesis arrived to challenge Nintendo in the early 90s, Sonic the Hedgehog quickly became its killer app. I’ll never forget the exhilaration I felt guiding Sonic through those loop-de-loop filled stages at blazing speeds when I first played in 1991.
Compared to the slower paced Mario games, Sonic the Hedgehog stood out for:
- Blazing speed – its frenetic pace was unmatched. Speeding through levels was a rush.
- Gorgeous 16-bit visuals – with colorful, detailed sprites and environments. Sonic’s animations were silky smooth.
- Awesome music – catchy, upbeat tunes with an edgy 90s attitude perfectly matched the gameplay.
- Avatar with attitude – Sonic’s look, animations and “too cool” demeanor gave him buckets of personality.
- Verticality – levels expanded into vertical space with bumpers, springs, and launch pads adding a new dimension.
Zipping across loops, bouncing off springs, and rolling down hills with Sonic was some of the most heart-pounding platforming I’d experienced. It made me appreciate the Genesis’ impressive graphical power. Sonic had ‘tude for days and really gave Mario a run for his money.
Street Fighter II
When it comes to retro fighting games, Street Fighter II is undoubtedly the king. First released in 1991, I pumped enough quarters into SF2 arcade cabinets to single-handedly keep my local arcade in business.
As a fighting game, Street Fighter II revolutionized the genre with:
- Diverse fighters – eight playable characters like Ryu, Chun-Li and Blanka, each with unique moves and fighting styles.
- Special moves – personalizing your fighter by executing their Hadoukens, Spinning Piledrivers and more added depth.
- Tactical 1-on-1 combat – spacing, timing, combos and quick reflexes are crucial. Two players duking it out is tense.
- Best-in-class animation – from hit impacts to victory poses, everything looks super fluid and satisfying.
- Competitive multiplayer – jostling with friends to determine who was the better player was massively appealing.
- Continuous innovation – later sequels added combo systems, super moves, parrying and more layers.
I can’t even begin to count the hours my friends and I spent battling it out in Street Fighter II. It laid the template for fighting games and ignited a competitive spirit. Landing combos with my favorite fighter Chun-Li was incredibly rewarding. Hadouken!
Final Fantasy VII
In terms of epic role-playing games, few are as beloved and genre-defining as Final Fantasy VII from 1997. I’ll never forget being enthralled by its massive world, complex story and deeper-than-I-expected philosophy on life.
Key qualities that set Final Fantasy VII apart as an RPG masterpiece include:
- An enormous world – the scope and scale of the environments and settings felt limitless. Dense cities, quaint villages, vast overworld map.
- Cinematic presentation – groundbreaking cinematics and graphics brought key moments to life. The opening bombing mission left my jaw on the floor.
- Deep customization – the materia system for magic and abilities allowed for deep strategic personalization.
- Memorable characters – Cloud, Aeris, Sephiroth and others had great backstories and development.
- Emotional story – the story reached profound emotional depths and touched on complex themes rarely seen in games.
- Epic soundtrack – sweeping orchestral music underscored the grand journey. Songs like “One Winged Angel” still give me chills.
Few games have swept me up on such an unforgettable adventure. I became deeply invested in Cloud and company’s personal struggles. Final Fantasy VII raised the bar for game storytelling and made RPGs truly cinematic.
Conclusion
Revisiting classic games like these truly fills me with nostalgia for my early gaming days. Their imagination, design brilliance, and sheer entertainment value have stood the test of time. Modern games may be technically superior, but these retro classics have a magic about them that still enchants me decades later. Their iconic gameplay, characters, music and moments have permanently etched these experiences into my memory. While the technology improves, here’s hoping the artistry and heart at the core of these classics continues to inspire game makers and gamers alike.
