Old School Gaming!
The nostalgia of playing old school video games in coming back in style fast. Both men and women alike have found themselves enjoying games that remind them of a simpler time. So here is a top 10 list of my favorite old school video games. The simplicity of the controls allow people of all ages to enjoy the very best in creation of a electronic revolution.
10. River City Ransom
I particularly enjoy this game because it is one of the first games to have a points system to allow the user to gain “levels” in their character making them stronger faster and more powerful. The downside in this game is most definitely the ending, but other than that an absolute classic in my mind.
9. Altered Beast
Two words “Power Up!” the game doesn’t offer much variety or depth but all in all just a fun beat-em-up. Originally made for the Sega Genisis this game found rebirth on newer consoles with the ability to download the game. Tons of replay value give this game a lasting value.
8. Contra
Absolute Classic! This game would have ranked much higher on my list but unfortunately it’s just damn hard! With the exception of the infamous 30 lives code (up,up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, B, A, start) that is. One thing that makes this game so great is the weapon selection (of course the spray gun is the weapon of choice). As far as level diversity there are 3 different views which definitely give the player something that was unusual in the 8 bit days.
7. Goldeneye (N64)
I know most hardcore gamers would definitely say that N64 is not really “old school” but since we are two system generations past that I think this qualifies. This game is the epitome of 1st person shooters. It is the game that started it all, with four player multiplayer and fantastic single player options Goldeneye was a totally new bread of game. Some say, myself included, that Halo would not be the powerhouse it is today if it didn’t have the foundations of this game right here.
6. FFVII
To be 100% honest I never have played this game from start to finish. I’ve seen it beat every which way from Tuesday though, which sets it in my top 10 as number 6. This turn based strategy gave legend to a dynasty of RPG’s. This game all around has what it takes from side quests to an imaginative story line, it’s as fun to watch it be played as it is to play it. Which is hard to say about many single player games.
5. Mike Tyson’s Punch Out
Just plain fun. This game has a very short amount of gameplay but the difficulty of the later fighters makes it an itch that you must scratch. Beating Mike Tyson is next to impossible but doing so put you in a legendary status with friends almost as nerdy as you. Interestingly enough though when this game was made Mike Tyson was actually still undefeated in real life, which in turn Nintendo had to make a different version where you fought another fighter for the final fight because Mike claimed he was “unbeatable”.
4. Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo
One of the funnest and most played fighting games of all time. Street Fighter 2 Turbo layed the cornerstone for the 2D fighters of now. It’s hard to say a lot about this game because it speaks for itself. But obviously with the invention of characters like Ryu and Ken this game is a must for any true game enthusiasts.
3. Super Mario Kart
This game is a blast, from the battle mode to the racing circuit Mario Kart keeps the player attentive at all times. I mean there’s nothing like knocking your best friend out of first place with a red shell two seconds before he crosses the finish line. With innovative controls like slides and jumps Mario Kart had fantastic control. And with the vivid colors and characters the game was ahead of its time.
2. Zelda (A Link to the Past)
With the Zelda series it is very difficult to choose a clear cut winner but for me a Link to the past takes the cake. I know many would argue, especially in the old school category, that the very first Zelda should win. But the Super Nintendo’s graphics and the cartridges storage capabilities this game has much more to offer than the original. Also it solidified the status of Link and Zelda as legends in the gaming world.
And #1 is……………………………………………………………….
Super Mario Bros. 3!!!!
As with the Zelda games there are so many Mario games to choose from that it’s hard to decide a clear cut winner. But my decision is in and Mario 3 wins it all! Mario is perhaps the greatest icons in video game history and he doesn’t let down in Mario 3. With the introduction of different suits or outfits that give Mario special power is one of the greatest things to happen to Mario and his pal Luigi. Also for it’s time Mario 3 had some of the best graphics ever produced on an 8 bit console.
Well that’s it, my top 10. Let me know what you think, what did I forget or what you change about my list.
Golden Eye on N64 stole many hours from me when I was younger.
games for myspace
February 16, 2008 at 8:00 am
Very good list but in my opinion contra should def be lower. If you have played enough real old school such as old atri games you should throw some of them into the list.
smjohnson
February 25, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Wow Josh..lots of time on your hands..while all of us are studying and getting good grades your sucking up to mr kinney and weblogging..
anyways just thought I would let you know the only game I have played is duck hunter…
Brittany
February 27, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Josh,
Thanks for sucking up–I really appreciate it.
–Kinney
andrewjaykinney
March 3, 2008 at 2:24 pm