Retro video games offer a different experience from modern games. That’s not to say that one is better than the other; they’re just different. Modern games feature massive worlds with incredible detail. On the other hand, retro video games can sometimes be hard to look at. Especially when you’re accustomed to everything being in 1080p. However, those of us who never stopped playing those old titles feel a special connection to those pixels. They fill us with a warm sense of nostalgia in a way that nothing else can.
Collecting physical copies of retro video games can be expensive. Luckily, we live in a world where many of the big gaming companies have brought their old titles to modern platforms. For those of us who grew up playing these games, it’s great that it has become so easy to relive our best childhood memories. Many of these old classics are still fun to play long after their initial release. So, if you’re in the mood for some nostalgia, here are the top ten retro video games that you can revisit, right now!
#10: Kirby’s Adventure
Available on: Nintendo Switch Online
Kirby’s Adventure is not the pink puffballs’ first outing, but it’s easily one of his best. Released on the NES in 1993, this was one of the last major releases on that console. The game was later remade for the Game Boy Advance in 2002 as Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland. That was mostly just a graphical update, and it isn’t as easily accessible as the NES original. That’s actually fine because the original still holds up and is still fun to play today.
Like most Kirby games, this one is very easy to get through. However, because the music and pixel art are so bright and colorful, it’s impossible not to smile while playing this game. This was the first game where Kirby had the ability to absorb enemy powers. This means that anytime you see a new enemy, it’s only natural to think “ooh, I wonder what power I’ll get from that guy”. The game is also very short; a typical playthrough should only take a few hours. If you have an afternoon with the kids, it might be fun to play this and pass the controller back and forth with them.
#9: Streets of Rage 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Also a part of Sega Genesis Classics for Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
For people who play retro video games, there are few genres as classic as the old school beat ‘em up. The Streets of Rage series are some of the most well-known of the classic beat ‘em ups ever made. The highlight of the series is definitely the second game, first released for the Sega Genesis in 1992. The game gives the player a choice between four playable characters, Max, Axel, Blaze, and Skate. The gameplay feels pretty much the same regardless of who you pick. Even though the game is fun to play by yourself, the co-op multiplayer is where the game truly shines. This is still a great game to play with a friend while sharing a six-pack.
#8: Star Fox 64
Available on: Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack
Star Fox 64 is an on-rails flight combat game first released for the Nintendo 64 in 1997. This is another game that can be very short. A single playthrough of Star Fox 64 can sometimes last less than an hour. This is mostly because you don’t play through every level in the game during a single playthrough. Each playthrough consists of only seven levels and there are about fifteen in the game. If you want to see every level, you’ll have to replay the game several times and uncover alternate pathways through the levels by finishing them under specific conditions. The Star Fox series peaked with this game, and it’s very easy to see why it is still so fondly remembered by fans.
#7: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Available on: Part of Castlevania Advance Collection on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC
Castlevania is one of those franchises that feels like it has been around forever. In actuality, it has been around since 1986, with the release of the original Castlevania on the Famicom. The series redefined 2D action platforming with the release of Symphony of the Night in 1997 and helped create the Metroidvania genre. After that, the series experimented with 3D on home consoles, while the handheld titles remained 2D Metroidvania. The series saw three releases on the Game Boy Advance, and of those three, Aria of Sorrow is easily the best.
The game takes a lot of inspiration from Symphony of the Night. Mainly in that, it has a large explorable map with roadblocks that require a specific item or powerup to get past. As you explore the castle and kill enemies, you will absorb enemy spirits which will give you abilities and spells. The game also has a standard leveling system and a large selection of equipment that can be used to make your character stronger. For a full and more in-depth review of this game click here.
#6: Ninja Gaiden
Available on: Nintendo Switch Online
One thing that retro video games are known for is their difficulty. When people describe a game as being “NES hard” they’re usually referring to games like Ninja Gaiden. Not only is the game known for being one of the hardest games on the NES; but it was also known for being one of the first console games to use animated cutscenes. This was a major step forward for storytelling in video games. Looking at the cutscenes now, they’re still impressive. The art style is one that many indie games, like Breath of Death VII: The Beginning, would emulate for their cutscenes
Ninja Gaiden tells the story of Ryu Hayabusa, who is on a quest to avenge his murdered father. The gameplay is pretty typical for the NES. Just move from one side of the screen to the other and try not to die. The game also has a unique wall-grabbing mechanic that you’ll need to master to get past some of the more difficult sections. With the rewind feature on NSO, finishing this game is a much less intimidating task, and you should feel no shame for using it with this game.
#5: Super Metroid
Available on: Nintendo Switch Online
“The last Metroid is in captivity. The Galaxy is at peace…” These words are permanently ingrained in the minds of anyone who has played Super Metroid. This game takes everything great that the original Metroid did on the NES and improves it tenfold. The original Metroid was infamously difficult to navigate, due to its lack of an in-game map. Super Metroid remedies this and adds in a slew of new powers for Samus’ suit. The atmosphere and feeling of isolation in this game is something that modern games, even modern Metroid games, have yet to surpass.
This game and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night created the Metroidvania genre, which is still popular to this day. Much like other Metroidvanias, the gameplay here mostly involves exploring the map and finding new powers to progress. There are some elements of the game that are starting to show their age though. The controls have aged especially poorly. Samus feels a lot stiffer to control than in the more recent Metroid games. This is something that should only take a few minutes to adjust to though. This game is still a timeless classic that is well-deserving of its reputation.
#4: Star Ocean: Til the End of Time
Available on: PS4
This one is for all you JRPG fans out there. The Star Ocean series is one that has flown under most people’s radar until recently. The franchise started on the Super Famicom in 1996 but peaked with the third entry, which was first released for the PS2 in 2003. Til the End of Time tells the unique story of Fayt Leingod, whose family vacation is cut short by an alien attack. This eventually leads Fayt on a quest to save the entire universe.
The Star Ocean series favors real-time action over the usual turn-based combat that other JRPGs use. In battle, you have complete control over your character’s movements and actions. This eliminates the old cliche of everyone politely standing around and waiting for their turn to attack. This entry to the franchise also has an item creation system that is necessary to create some of the game’s best equipment. It’s also a very addictive system. It can be easy to get so absorbed in it that you accidentally spend more time making items than you do playing the rest of the game. If you’re a JRPG fan that missed out on this one back in the day, this is one you shouldn’t hesitate to play.
#3: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Available on: Nintendo Switch Online
The Legend of Zelda is a franchise that needs no introduction. The series has been one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises ever since its introduction in 1986. Most people who play video games, especially retro video games, have played a Zelda game at some point or another. Anytime a major publication makes a list of the best video games of all time, there is usually at least one Legend of Zelda title on that list. One of the most common games to appear on those lists is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to The Past.
The so-called “Zelda formula” started here. Enter a dungeon and start exploring until you find an item. Use that item to descend further into the dungeon and fight the boss. While exploring the overworld, items will also be used to open up new areas. The story is a quest so epic that it needs two overworlds. Link will need to explore both Hyrule and the Dark World to rescue the maidens and beat Ganon. There are many reasons why this game has the reputation that it does. The best way to get to know those reasons is to play the game yourself.
#2: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Available on: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Mobile
Star Wars meets Dungeons and Dragons. What else needs to be said? When this game was first released in 2003, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic changed what a licensed video game could be. This wasn’t just some cash grab made to capitalize on the release of a new movie. This is a huge RPG with an epic quest and memorable characters that stand on their own. This is easily one of the best stories ever told in the Star Wars galaxy.
The story will see the player travel to numerous locations in the Star Wars galaxy. You’ll visit planets like Tatooine, Kashyyyk, and Korriban in an effort to thwart the plans of Darth Malak. Each planet is a huge area with more side quests than you can shake a lightsaber at. Combat takes place in real-time, but you can freeze time at any moment to plan out your strategy. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, this is a game that’s worth taking the time to play through.
#1: Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy definitely hit its highest point during the PS1 era. When compared to its two predecessors on the console, Final Fantasy IX definitely stands as the odd one out. Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII both took place in futuristic worlds stuffed with technology. Both of those games also had fairly dark art directions. Final Fantasy IX is pretty much the exact opposite. This game goes back to the series’ roots and takes place in a medieval fantasy world, with a much brighter and more colorful art style. This stark difference may be a key reason why this game sold about half of what Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII sold. However, over the years this game has gained a large following and has become a fan favorite.
The gameplay is actually pretty similar to most of the Final Fantasy games that came before it. This was the last game to use the franchise’s staple ATB system. After this, the series would start experimenting with different types of turn-based and real-time combat. The story told in this game is one of the best stories to ever be told in a video game. What makes it so incredible and unforgettable are the brilliantly designed and well-written characters. To top it all off, this game has the best soundtrack of the entire series. Fans of Final Fantasy and people who just like a well-told story will get a lot out of this game. With a rumored remake on its way, now is as good a time as any to revisit this classic.
32, living in Arizona with a passion for video games, music and movies.
