Do you remember the day when Google created a playable Pac-Man doodle? It was made to celebrate the game’s 30th anniversary. According to a report by rescuetime blog, businesses worldwide lost 4,819,352 hours of productive time due to this simple game doodle. Employees enjoyed this game during office hours, which resulted into this huge loss. Having said that, retro games are arguably the coolest video games one can ever play, especially games from 80’s and 90’s.
Talking about games, retro games have always been my first love. Apart from the nostalgia that can’t be matched, retro video games are very enjoyable. I can still see myself playing with those arcade machines for hours. Although we might not be able to relive exact experience, we can replicate it to an extent. Here’s a list of top retro games list that you may love to play!
In this article, I’ve tried to list down my personal favorites i.e. 8 best retro games you can play on your game console or PC. I’ve discussed different aspects of the game, things I like about them. Hope you like them too.
Best Classic/Retro Video Games
1. Pac-Man
Pac-Man is one of the most recognizable characters of all time and also one of the best retro arcade game I’ve ever played. Chances are you have seen his yellow likeliness when you’ve gone through arcades. The game itself is an instant classic, and it just continued to suck quarters out of gamers of all ages. I used to be very good at Pac-Man in my day.
While there isn’t a plot (that was mentioned anyway), the game is loosely a puzzle/adventure game where you control the titular character. You go around eating these small dots called orbs, all while avoiding ghosts. Scattered throughout each stage are big dots, or Power Orbs. With these, you temporarily become the hunter and the ghosts become the hunted. Eating several of them in a row gave you bonus points.
There is almost no music in the game, just a small but familiar tune that plays when you begin the first stage. The sound effects, however, are instantly recognizable. These sound effects have been sampled throughout media, including in video games. They used to ring in my head all the time in my day, and I can hear them right now ironically.
While the game is simple, it is fun and was easily pick up and play the first time you started, even if you never played Pac-Man. The game also was turned into Ms. Pac-Man, which was the exact same thing as Pac-Man, only with a female persona. I played both versions, and I still do today.
2. Duck Hunt
This game was packed in with SMB and required Nintendo’s “Zapper” gun, which you plug into the second controller port of the NES. Duck Hunt is still an old favorite of mine today, and the Zapper, the dog, and of course the small tune that plays after you hit the ducks still ring in my head. It is one of the most popular old Nintendo games ever played on Earth.
I love Duck Hunt a lot. That blasted dog got on my nerves as a kid, and I’m sure he has gotten on yours during your childhood. The game gets challenging as you move on, so you’ll be blasting ducks for a while.
3. Top Gear 2
After my love for Top Gear, I had to wonder if there was going to be a sequel. My brother and I played the heck out of the first game and just wanted even more. And on one for my birthday, I got my wish. There WAS a sequel! And it is indeed an amazing retro video game.
The music isn’t really as good as the first game, as it sounds a bit more real and lively instead of the funky and catchy tracks we heard. But it is acceptable. The sound effects also received a huge upgrade, and the graphics stand out a lot.
Overall, Top Gear 2 is a worthy successor to Top Gear. Tracks and other huge things make this one worth playing for ages. If you liked Top Gear, you will love its sequel. Have it in your arsenal.
4. Super Castlevania IV
Of course, Mario, Sonic and Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter were the popular franchises back in the heydays. That’s because they stood the test of time and got so many gamers hooked. But a franchise that has a huge fanbase as well is a franchise called Castlevania.
One of the best retro video games created by Konami, Super Castlevania IV takes the legend of Transylvania to a whole new and spooky level. There were three Castlevania games released for the NES, but I never played those. In this discussion, I’ll be talking about one I know very well, Super Castlevania IV for the Super Nintendo.
In this game, you assume the role of Simon Belmont, a vampire killer. You’re armed with a whip and a huge assortment of weapons you gather along the way. The game is a platformer, but it isn’t as speedy and reflex-heavy as Mario and Sonic.
The music really isn’t ear catchy in this one of the best old games of all time, if you aren’t a fan of the Transylvania theme, but there is one exception – stage ten (named Bloody Tears). That is one of my favorite tracks in gaming, and I remember I used to just sit and listen to it for hours, getting it stuck in my head. The sound effects give the theme a perfect, spooky fit, and the graphics are great.
Overall, Super Castlevania IV won’t have you scratching your head as far as what to do next – you can pick it up and play in one sitting. The replay value is down but I still come back and play it a whole bunch. If you’re a fan of Transylvania, you should pick this one up.
5. Super Mario RPG
I’ll have to admit: I never really liked role playing games. I mean, just full blown RPG games and not RPGs fused with another genre. But I loved Mario. I grew up on him and anything with his name on it was a sure buy. Commercials talking about his move in the RPG genre did interest me, but to be honest I was hesitant to check the game out. After getting recommendations from my classmates in grade school, I did. The depth of an RPG and the Mario style are captured beautifully in this game.
This best old PC game isn’t all that straightforward. And that is what makes it that much fun. You have to get involved in many things to get some necessities, like riding a mine cart, falling down a waterfall, playing tunes by jumping on frogs, among many others. You also have to return to places you’ve already been to get some things to advance further in this retro computer game.
As stated earlier, there is a currency system in the game. But of course this is Mario, so that currency has to be coins! You get coins by fighting battles, doing some good deeds, or playing some cool mini games. You of course use this currency to buy many things, like health items, armor, weapons, and nights at the inn. A separate currency in the game is the frog coin, where you can buy some very rare items at certain places. This rare items are outstanding, and if you can get your hands on them you can really deal out some damage.
6. Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat 3 is the third installment in the highly acclaimed MK series. I remember when I first heard about this game (and the unmasking of Sub-Zero), I knew I had to get to the arcades and play this thing. Only if I could get my parents to take me and give me a bit of money for the quarters. Though, in my opinion, it isn’t as good as MKII, this one still is a timeless classic.
The gameplay is true to Mortal Kombat style. It is much faster that Mortal Kombat II, and the blood and gore have been beefed up much more. Overall, it’s a great retro video game from Atari to be kept in arsenal.
7. The Legend Of The Mystical Ninja
It really is hard to blend in so many elements of gaming. Platforming, adventure, beat-em-up, and a hint of RPG were three genres that were extremely hard to mix together, but Konami, being the innovators they are, managed to pull it off. The Legend Of The Mystical Ninja (or just Mystical Ninja for short) was born, and boy is it fun. My brother and I used to rent this from a drug store a lot (way back in the retro days when they had it). It’s such a fun and replayable game that will have you glued to your TV for a while.
In this old Nintendo game, you get your choice of two characters: Kid Ying and Dr. Yang. While both characters have different weapons (Kid Ying a smoke pipe and Dr. Yang a stick), they both play the same. Their weapons can be upgraded twice, giving Kid Ying a longer smoke pipe then a Yo-Yo and Dr. Yang a longer stick then a party favor. You also have several different other powerups like sandals for faster movement, bombs, among many other things.
What makes this old video game special is that it manages to blend different genres together. Of course you get the beat ’em up aspect by hitting the enemies that come around. You get your adventure aspect due to the game’s freely roamable atmosphere (discovering different places as well). But what makes this game fun is the RPG aspect.
You get currency from the enemies that you kill, using those to buy power ups for your characters.
The music is decent for the Japanese theme. My favorite track in the game is the final stage, though the music at the start of stage three is great as well. The sound effects are acceptable, and the graphics fit the wonderful Japanese theme like a glove.
Overall, Legend of the Mystical Ninja is one of the best retro video games that you need to have in your backpack. It successfully blends together some popular genres, something that is very difficult to pull off. I love the game, and so does my big brother. I still play it today for the thrill of the whole thing.
8. Jungle Strike
Building upon the success of Desert Strike, Electronic Arts came out with Jungle Strike. My brother first told me about this game, and we both had to convince our parents to rent it for us. We checked it out and saw the very vast improvement over Desert Strike. You can expect more military game goodness in this old Nintendo video game.
There is very little music in the game, and no music plays during the missions to keep it all realistic looking. The sound effects seem like they’re about the same from the first game, just a tad difference. The graphics are nice, though it’s a lot of green (but you’d expect that in a jungle).
Overall, Jungle Strike is a great sequel to Desert Strike. I love the action and strategy the old Nintendo game bestows onto you, and the fact that you have to stay on your Ps and Qs to get the job done. Check out this game, you shouldn’t regret it at all.
Well that’s it folks! I hope you enjoyed reading it and are looking forward to play them. Again, these retro video games are my personal favorites. So, the article shouldn’t be counted as an exclusive list of top retro PC and arcade games of all time. However, these games were undoubtedly instant hits in their times. Enjoy them and let me know your views in the comments below. Also if we have missed out your favorite game, let us know in the comments section below.