We live in a fantastic day and age when it comes to video games. New games are being launched constantly and are packed with the most brilliant graphics and realistic innovations. Thanks to incredible advances in gaming technology such as facial recognition and gesture control, the possibilities in video games are endless.
And yet, more and more people seem to be falling in love all over again with the old-school games from the 1970s and 1980s. Many gamers prefer playing games from back in the day and some are even willing to spend big money on getting their hands on rare editions of classic video games. In 2020, a sealed copy of a rare Super Mario Bros game version was sold in an auction for $114,000. It broke the world record for most expensive video game ever.
Are we yearning for nostalgia? Or are the old-school games just better than all the latest technical innovations? Perhaps its a combination of both all the new and flashy features from modern-day games cannot replace the wistful nostalgia we feel when playing retro video games. Great games dont need lots of tech features to be fun. These are the vintage games that bewitched people all over the world and that are increasing in popularity some 40+ years later:
If you grew up in the 70s, you undoubtedly know about the Atari games. Founded in North America in 1972, Atari games are responsible for the first footsteps of video games. Atari 2600 is th home video game console the whole gaming industry is built upon. They have published hundreds of popular and influential games over the years and some are still in high demand today.
Pong was one of the earliest video games and Ataris first game. Although its game design was extremely simple, it astonished millions of people. They were finally able to play against each other through an electronic game. Originally, Pong was released as an arcade game. Once it was released as a home console in 1975, it increased in popularity massively as more people could access it whenever they wanted to.
In Pong, two players combat each other by each controlling a paddle to hit a ball to each other across a screen playing the first version of virtual table tennis. A simple concept that laid the groundwork for a wide range of more games to come. Pong was remade several times following its release.
Here is the gameplay of the very first edition of Pong from 1972:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiShX2pTz9A
Casino is a compilation of card games, released in 1978. You can play blackjack, poker solitaire and five card stud poker. One year before, a 1977 Blackjack was released but it received some complaints. There was no possibility of splitting the cards for instance. This was rectified in the 1978 Casino by offering two variations of Blackjack, where you have a variation with the option to split and one that doesnt include that option. You can play alone or up to 3 friends against the dealer with paddle controllers.
Of course, the 1978 Casino is still pretty basic with limited options but it does bring back great memories from yesteryear. If youre curious to see how it was like to play casino games from home before online casinos came around, here is the Casino from the 70s:
Fortunately, there are plenty of options to train your card game skills from home nowadays. For instance, you can find tons of variations of each game in plenty of online casinos. Some casinos dont even require you to make a deposit at all and they even give you free spins no deposit and a chance to win real money on top!
This first arcade shooter game was published in 1978 but wasnt an immediate hit. It increased in popularity during the next year but the game only became a huge success by 1980 when it became available on home consoles. Space Invaders was responsible for many sleepless nights and parts of the day spent indoors by teenagers and adults all over the world. Rumours went around saying the game was so successful that it brought on a shortage of 100 yen coins in Japan. This 100 yen myth has been debunked by several sources, however, saying that the press simply misinterpreted the facts at that time.
By 1982, Space Invaders grossed about $3.8 billion, the equivalent of $13 billion as of 2016. It is still one of the most influential video games of all time and laid the groundwork for many shooting games following its release. The aim of the game is to shoot groups of aliens with a laser cannon and earn as many points as you can. Once all aliens are destroyed, the cycle resets and the difficulty rises. Here is a video to relive the gameplay of the original Space Invaders:
Nowadays, Space Invaders can be played on PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC. You can also play it online.
Developed for Atari in 1979 by Lyle Rains and Eg Logg, Asteroids is still one of the best selling games in the entire history of video games. Just like Space Invaders (1978), Asteroids is a multidirectional shooter game. Opinions vary on whether Space Invaders or Asteroids was the most popular and best selling games. They were both widely in-demand and were often placed side-by-side in arcades.
Asteroids was released as an arcade game first which was very successful: over 70,000 arcade cabinets were sold in the months following its release. It was reported that Atari had to install larger coin boxes inside the arcade cabinet since the game was so popular that the employees were continually emptying the boxes. In 1986, Asteroids was released on the 7800 home console. After its release, two successors were launched: Asteroids Deluxe (1981) and Blasteroids (1987). Asteroids was released on different platforms and consoles including Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony.
The aim of Asteroids is to control the spaceship and eliminate asteroids and flying saucers by shooting them and to win points. You can play yourself or against another player. Take a trip down memory lane by looking at the Asteroids gameplay from 1979:
In May 1980, the Japanese arcade game developer Namco Limited brought Pac-Man into the world. It immediately became a huge sensation, especially among kids and teens. Until today, Pac-Man is still the best-selling arcade game of all time. 400,000 arcade cabinets were sold to arcades all around the world and by 1990 it made $3.5 billion in revenue. Thats the inflation-adjusted equivalent of $7.6 billion by 2020.
Pac-Man is a simple yellow circle with a cut which represents its mouth. You need to eat up all the coins lying around in a maze while avoiding being caught up by four wandering ghosts. Power pellets ensure Pac-Man can eat up the ghosts, albeit only temporarily. After youve managed to eat up all the coins, the difficulty level increases. Perhaps this was the reason why Pac-Man was such a big success: its non-violent gameplay was so refreshing, especially in a time where most games were space-themed shooter games.
The evolution of Pac-Man is quite interesting to see. Over the years, several versions have been released including a Ms. Pac-Man, a Baby Pac-Man and Pac-Land. The last addition to the Pac-Man games was a board game in 2019.
You can still play Pac-Man in an arcade, play it online and even on many modern gaming platforms including Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. To bring back memories from your childhood, check the Pac-Man gameplay from 1980:
Tetris is a puzzle video game created by Alexey Payitnov and Vladimir Pokhilko. It was said that Pajitnov developed the game simply for fun and didnt even intend to make money from it. In the remarkable history of Tetris, it is explained that this wasnt even possible at first. Pajitnov was a Russian creator, and under the 1980s communism, ideas were owned by the Soviet Union. People in Moscow were sharing the game by word of mouth, copying and sharing Tetris on floppy disks. Over the years, a lot of money changed hands during several deals resulting in Pajitnov not getting any profits at all. It is estimated that he missed out on approximately $40 million.
The goal of the game is quite simple. You need to rotate puzzle blocks dropping down and fit them together to create solid lines. When a line is completed, it disappears. Tetris is a widely popular game until this day. While some say it is making a comeback, we are pretty sure Tetris never actually left. Its a perfect game for those wanting to keep their minds sharp and improve their focus.
Tetris can still be played online, but you can also play it on PC or Mac.
Is there anyone who hasnt heard of the Mario Brothers? We certainly dont think so. We dont know anyone who doesnt love this classic either. Super Mario Bros was the biggest selling game of all time for nearly 30 years. It was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Gunpei Yokoi for the Nintendo Entertainment System and PC. Initially in 1981, Mario was called Jumpman and tried to save the princess in the game Donkey Kong. Mario Bros. as we know it was released in Japan in the arcades first but in 1985 it was changed into Mario Bros game. Mario and Luigi are Italian plumbers who need to make their way through Mushroom Kingdom while collecting points and exterminating creatures coming out from the sewers. Your aim is to save the princess of Mushroom Kingdom out of Koopa Bowsers hands.
Over the years, lots of remakes and successors were made and made available on multiple platforms such as Game Boy, Atari 2600 and the family computer. To see an evolution of Mario, have a look at the video below:
Released in 1989 by Brderbund Software, this classic game is still available to play online. After its release on Apple II, the game was brought to a wider range of platforms. Over the years, this game has had several sequels and modernized versions. The gameplay is set in old Persia where Jaffar tyrannizes the country and locks up the sultans daughter in a tower. She must marry him within one hour or else shell die. Her only hope lies in the man she does love to save her before the time is up. As a prisoner of the palaces dungeons, you must avoid traps, kill several guards and ultimately finish off Jaffar to release the princess. Youve got 60 minutes, you better hurry
As you would expect, the first version of Prince of Persia is very basic with low resolution. It doesnt seem to stop people from wanting to play it, though. You can easily find the 1989 version of Prince of Persia available to download or to stream online. To refresh your memory, here is a game walkthrough of the original Prince of Persia:
As you can see, there is no modern technological advancement that can erase these iconic games from our minds. We still love to play these games, just like when we were kids playing them for the first time in our lives. Old is gold, more and more avid players came to realize this. Fortunately, there are plenty of platforms on which we can play them and keep the memories of these classics alive.
Related
Visit link:
Retro video games that are trending again - The Game Haus
- 13 Best Real Money Blackjack Apps 2024 - Top Mobile Blackjack Sites Reviewed - ReadWrite - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- A former Phillies executive found work as a blackjack dealer after being fired. Now he's back in the game. - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Denny Hamlin won major blackjack grand prize in Las Vegas - On3.com - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Denny Hamlin wins $300000 in a blackjack tournament in Las Vegas. - AutoGear - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Cursed in the Cup, but Not in Blackjack- $300K Richer Denny Hamlin Wins Big at Vegas - EssentiallySports - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- From Ballet to Blackjack, a Dance Pioneer's Amazing Odyssey - The New York Times - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack: Russia's Bomber Can Hit Mach 2 and Strike Anything - The National Interest Online - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Best online blackjack: Top online casinos with live blackjack... - The Sun - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Impact of Casino Games On The Development of The Video Game ... - GameIndustry.com - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Moving the Dice Around the World: Top 10 Unique Casino Goals for ... - The Dubrovnik Times - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Best Online Casino Games To Play This Thanksgiving - Pokerfuse - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- 9 Best Online Blackjack Sites to Play for Real Money - BSC NEWS - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- How to Find a Safe Sportsbook for Blackjack Games? - GameIndustry.com - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Baccarat remains top casino table game in Indiana - The Times of Northwest Indiana - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Boosting Your Odds of Winning at Online Casino Games in Canada ... - Dolphins Talk - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Chicago's First Casino Opens Saturday In River North - Block Club Chicago - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Potawatomi Unveils Next Stage of Renovations - Indian Gaming - Indian Gaming - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Best Bitcoin Casinos in 2023: Top Crypto Casino Sites to Play BTC ... - Analytics Insight - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Table Games at Best Online Casinos Ranked by Experts - Bookies.com - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Horse racing tradition lives on - elko county fair - Elko Daily Free Press - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Sitka Gold Drills 449.0 Metres of 0.74 g/t Gold from Surface ... - Junior Mining Network - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Reasons Why You Always Lose at Blackjack, And How To Fix Them - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- How to Play Live Blackjack at Bitcoin Casino - The Cryptonomist - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Unlock Success with Live Blackjack in Australia: Expert Tips - Philadelphia Sports Nation - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- The US To Donate RQ-21 Blackjack Tactical Drones And Patrol ... - Overt Defense - - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Unveiling the Strategy Behind Australian Casino Real Money Wins - The Apopka Voice - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- What Is A High Roller and Do They Play At Online Casinos? - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Best Red Dog Casino Table Games in 2023 - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Most Luxurious and Oldest Land Casinos in the UK - UrbanMatter - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Ranking of the Top Card Games in the Czech Online Casinos - GameIndustry.com - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Step into the Joker's Realm: Login Joker123 Grants You Entry to a ... - Fordham Ram - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Casinos in Western Australia: How Many You Can Access Right Now - TheXboxHub - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Mayo evacuated as fire situation remains serious in northern and ... - Yukon News - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- How to Play Blackjack: Your Ultimate Guide for 2022 - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- 4 Ways to Play Blackjack - wikiHow - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- Top 3 Online Casinos [2023] to Play for Real Money - January 19th, 2023 [January 19th, 2023]
- Basic Blackjack Strategy Charts [2021] - Generate Charts for 1-8 Decks - January 4th, 2023 [January 4th, 2023]
- 5 Best Online Blackjack Casinos to Play for Real Money - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Blackjack Online for Real Money Play with $3000 Bonus - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Play Online Blackjack Real Money - Top 3 Casinos in 2022 - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Hit Big with Blackjack on Luckyland Slots - PokerNews.com - November 11th, 2022 [November 11th, 2022]
- Tu-160 Blackjack Strategic Bomber - Airforce Technology - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Origin Of Blackjack And The Biggest Win In The Game's History - The SportsGrail - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Doubling Down On Soft 17 Vs. A Bust Card Can Be Tough To Stomach, But It's The Right Move - Barstool Sports - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Free Spins and Free Bets all week at Juicy Stakes Casino - Business Wire - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Magic Johnson Turned $15,000 Profits on Trips to Las Vegas Without Placing a Single Bet, Thanks to Jerry Buss - Sportscasting - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Top Holiday Destinations for People Who Love The Casino - FTNnews.com - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Bovada Casino Review | Is Bovada Legit and Safe for Players in 2022? - techPresident - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- How to Play Online Blackjack: Rules, Strategy, and More - The Action Network - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Best Blackjack Sites (2022): Best Blackjack Sites for Real Money Blackjack - The Daily Collegian Online - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The 5 Best eBooks About Casinos and Gambling - Good e-Reader - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Choosing the Best Ethereum Casinos to Play Blackjack - Times Tabloid - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The Evolution of Casino Games and the Technology Behind Them - UrbanMatter - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Live United: Don't forget the stories, people who will benefit from fundraisers - Albert Lea Tribune - Albert Lea Tribune - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- It's Controversial, But Doubling Down On 9 With The Dealer Showing A 6 Is The Right Move - Barstool Sports - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Compare The Best Online Casinos in South Korea for Real Money - The Tech Report - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- 200 Free Spins and $2000 Blackjack at Juicy Stakes Casino - Business Wire - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The history behind the 3 most iconic card games - Q Costa Rica News - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The Most Beautiful Casinos In the World | The Best Of 2022 - bravewords.com - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Feather Falls Casino Using Craft Beer to Fund Hopes and Dreams - Casino.Org News - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- What Table Games can you find at the Best Casino Online in Canada - Novinite.com - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Can You Win Ethereum On Online Casino? - UrbanMatter - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- What Should You Read Before You Start Gambling In CA? Educative Literature - Film Threat - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The 3 Most Notable Blackjack Players of All Time - Hardware Times - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Blackjack Gary Lawson given further 26 week suspension following threatening behaviour - Stuff - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Attempted Break-in by Masked Males and Gunfire Reported in Residential Area - South Santa Rosa News - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Holden student to enter UMaine with 64 Early College credits - UMaine News - University of Maine - University of Maine - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Which Are The 5 Most Played Card Games In The World? - Gamesreviews - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- An Easy Guide To Win Blackjack Online Game, Read - IWMBuzz - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Bill Benter: The World's Most Successful Gambler Who Used Math To Beat The Bookies - Casino.Org News - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Not Golf, Not Hooters: John Daly Once Revealed What He Loves More Than Anything - EssentiallySports - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Here's A List of Trusted Non-GamStop Casinos In The UK - Geeks World Wide - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- The best games to be found at casinos in Wales - Wales 247 - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Free Spins and a Juicy Stakes Blackjack Bonus - Business Wire - August 8th, 2022 [August 8th, 2022]
- Blackjack has 34 starting hands, or more if composition matters - Atlantic City Weekly - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- How to Play Free Blackjack Games and Where to Find Them - Techstory - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Some Of The Biggest Vegas Scandals - FTNnews.com - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- New Online Premium Brand in India - PR Newswire - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Sitka Gold's Step Out Drilling Continues to Intercept Significant Intervals of Mineralization, Including Several Occurrences of Visible Gold, at its... - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- The history behind Blackjacks success - Qrius - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]