We play video games. Don’t bug us about it.

As per the yearly protocol, our fearless leader has given us our marching orders and asked us to furnish our usual top-ten lists. I have done my best to compile for you a list of the best retro-themed games from this year. There weren’t a metric ton of titles released in that vein in 2020, but it was certainly quality over quantity. This spread was gathered from Steam, the Epic store, consoles, etc. in as broad a swathe as possible. If the graphics, play style, or just the feel qualified as retro, it went in the pile to be sorted. If you feel I’ve misplaced a game in the order, feel free to email me and bury a battle-axe in my buttocks, but it was hard to put the ten titles that survived the cut into an hierarchy, because any one of them could have been numero uno on this list. All ten are worth playing if you haven’t. Here goes!

Special thanks to Shini, Eric, and my other friends who helped me gather data on short notice out of the goodness of their hearts. I haven’t been on top of industry news (or my NRW email) this year because of everything else that’s been going on, so it was a blessing to be able to call on you for help. You answered it, and I am deeply thankful.

#10 Star Renegades

Developer: Massive Damage

This one is only so low on the list because its play style may not be for everyone, but it’s an amazing game and should not be overlooked. SR blends real-time strategy, traditional RPG, and roguelike elements into a cutting-edge yet retro-as-hell cocktail. The game is so pretty, and I also enjoy the mechanics for combat. While there is a storyline, many elements are procedurally generated as in a roguelike, so the replay value is insane. The only thing keeping this title from more mainstream popularity is its relative involvement level and complexity, as well as considerable difficulty. You could play it casually, but it’s “not for casuals.”

#9 Ultrakill

Developer: Arsi Patala

This game does two things right for a retro-FPS title. First off, it pays homage to its ancestors left and right without just being a clone or copy. Second, it completely kicks ass. Ultrakill is violent, colorful, action-packed, and just complex enough to provide some variance to the one thing you showed up for: VIOLENCE. The visual style, at its core, reminds me immediately of Quake II, and there isn’t a thing wrong with that because it travels in its own unique direction. Combine this with creative gameplay elements (you bathe in your enemies’ blood to regain health!) and a veritable crucible of clever FPS challenges throughout, and you have something the younguns and the greybeards like me can all appreciate. Ultrakill is a love letter to its own lineage, and it’s the most heartfelt, blood-soaked love letter one could hope for.

#8 Rogue Legacy 2

Developer: Cellar Door Games

The sequel to an already-amazing game, RL2 improves upon what its predecessor did and further blends the hardcore nature of the roguelike with dynamic gameplay to appeal to a wider audience of gamers. It has a cute look to it, a good balance of complexity and simplicity in its RPG-esque elements, enough randomization to spice things up, and an engaging platform-style base mechanic that is approachable without being too easy. You can tell a lot of love went into RL2, and it’s not just standing on its prequel’s head to look taller… it’s a wonderful game and it’s worth looking at in its own right. I especially enjoy how the sense of pervasive danger combines with the cartoonish art.

#7 Röki

Developer: Polygon Treehouse

Röki puts a strong focus on adventure, exploration, and puzzle-solving… but it is also such a fucking pretty game to look at. There is also a strong emphasis on story, which is conveyed through lovingly-animated and delightfully well-written cinematic sequences. Impatient gamers may think it moves too slowly, but Röki’s distantly related to those LucasArts story-games that so many of us adore. I risk sounding pretentious by saying this is a game for people who enjoy a little thinking. Beyond that, it has a distinct style and a very meaningful story to tell. If you’re looking for a change from the more prevalent smash-cut style of adventure game, Röki is essential for you.

#6 Streets of Rage 4

Developers: DotEmu, Lizard Cube, Guard Crush

We all remember the classic series of beat em up games Sega released for the Genesis. Colorful, exciting, and full of brawling action. This fourth installment is an appreciative and respectful revival of everything you loved about the original SoR series. The graphics are far more comic book than video game, but they are lovely and the animation is just as splendid. Blaze and Axel return along with some new friends to once again take the fight to the garishly-garbed punkers and miscreants wandering the city. Tiny elements of other classic fist-and-foot 90s gold finds its way in (for instance, you can get points for beating the shit out of a junked car, a shout to SFII’s bonus rounds). While SoR4 isn’t a truly new idea, it’s a very valuable and enjoyable re-imagining of a franchise we all hoped would eventually show itself again. It has not failed to impress.

#5 Huntdown

Developer: Easy Trigger Games

This brutal indie action game will have you believing you’re playing it on a Sega Genesis. Gritty yet popping with color and flash, Huntdown places you in a dark near-future chock full of neon and blood. The pixel-based art is exquisite and the gameplay is like if NARC or the RoboCop video games were actually fun to play. I must comment on one striking element: the amazing voicework and sound effects seem to converge with the game’s lower-tech visual feel instead of clashing with it. Throw in a simple but very entertaining storyline along with well-placed cinematic storytelling transitions, and you have a game that will appeal to any diehard fan of run-and-gun scrollers.

#4 Spelunky 2

Developers: Mossmouth, Blitworks

The sequel to an equally wonderful platform adventure game, Spelunky 2 hands the story over to the next generation of explorers as they explore the Moon’s interior on the hunt for their lost kin. There is a ton of variety, and not just because of procedural generation. You’ll find yourself consistently intrigued and challenged by new and weird environments, as well as tested by various threats along the way. I also like any game that features non-annoying tutorials, and I must say that Spelunky 2’s is just what it should be. Plus you get pets! I’m all about that.

#3 Carrion

Developer: Phobia Game Studio

This shit is my jam. Reverse-horror is a genre I could stand to see more of, no matter how much we already have of it. Carrion knocks it out of the park. Immense detail and a slew of wise design choices make this game difficult not to enjoy. It’s even fun to watch, because it’s almost framed like a horror/sci fi film. There is no escaping Carrion’s atmosphere, and crawling around eating terrified humans as a sentient bio-waste monster never really gets stale. This one’s another example where the sound is higher-fidelity than the pixel graphics, again to excellent effect. So little needs explanation, despite the concept being an unusual one in so many ways. Carrion is wrapped in a neat, blood-stained package for you to pick up and discover your inner monster.

#2 Death and Taxes

Developers: Placeholder Gameworks, Pineapple Works

An incredible, unique story in the form of a game, Death and Taxes features an incredible narrative told with an irreverent but gentle sense of humor. In this puzzle/simulation title, you are Death, the Grim Reaper. As it turns out, your job is more of an office grind than a constant scythe-toting hunt for souls, and the lives and deaths you govern form your paperwork. In Death and Taxes, your decisions directly affect the rest of the story in such a complex fashion that the game has at least 30 possible endings. Its image-by-image style speaks to the oldschool story games that were popular on the PC-98 and Sharp x68000 computers in the 1990s. What’s different is the amazing artwork style and the fluidity created by the nuanced story design. Along with Röki, This is one for the thinkers… but it’s also lovely if you just like games that bother to tell a story.

#1 Spiritfarer

Developer: Thunder Lotus Games

“Spiritfarer is a cozy management game about death.”

Not my words. That is how the developer describes this fucking unspeakable work of high art. And they’re not being cute or edgy. In Spiritfarer, you play the skipper of a ferry that takes the souls of the dead to the hereafter. The art and visuals for this game are matched by its lovely dialogue and engaging management-based activities. You feel very much like you’re part of the meaningful story being told, and yet the game’s focus is mostly on its themes and message, not you. You’re a cast member, not necessarily the star, and you won’t mind at all because Spiritfarer isn’t just a game. It’s high art. Play this and get lost in it.

—

2020 has been a son of a bitch. Here’s hoping 2021 is brighter and better. I am proud of all of us for making it through, and I sincerely hope all of you NRW readers have a delightful holiday season full of love and merriment.

Oh, and stay retro!

That’s right folks. Street Cleaner is set to purge the streets this fall with a brand new retro action indie game from Creaky Lantern Games. Taking on the lead role as Street Cleaner himself, you will eradicate crime from the city and face “…intense boss fights like Master Feng the ninja overlord, Big Jerry the dance club manager, and Agent Artemis sniper extraordinaire.”

For the new game Street Cleaner created an entirely new, intense and authentic 8-bit soundtrack, something which was new to the artist:

“The entire In-Game soundtrack is chiptunes like you would find in that period game. I spent a great deal of time learning an archaic DAW to painstakingly wrote a whole new soundtrack that is authentic as possible….It was very difficult to wrap my head around the software. I’ve been using the same DAW exclusively for 15 years, so stepping back into an old tracker style sequencer was not easy. But the end goal was worth it!” – SC

Check out the trailer below, and check out Street Cleaner: The Video Game here on Steam!

#10

D1896

(Arkhouse Telegraph, released 11/15/19)

This is, at its most basic level of comparison, a high-quality Castlevania clone. It has only recently come out, and has yet to receive a flood of attention on Steam, but I felt it bore mention due to the buzz it has created on YouTube among fans of this type of platformer. D1896 isn’t just a game. It’s art, it’s inspired by art, and it’s gorgeous. D1896 claims to be directly inspired by Georges Méliès’s early silent film Le Manoir du diable (House of the Devil), considered by many to be the first horror film despite its comedic overtones. (It’s 3 minutes long, get some culture, here.) The game is a rich yet minimalistic platformer with most of the bells and whistles of the expected matroidvania stripped away; D1896 is simple, challenging (fucking HARD, actually), and eerily engrossing. Everything is represented in ephemeral black and white, yet there is no lack of detail or texture to the game elements. Couple this with a masterfully claustrophobic piano (and piano only) soundtrack, and you’ve got a game so enchanting and macabre that it will hold you spellbound. It is, as I said, incredibly difficult, however. You’ll die a lot and the bosses are exercises in the developers’ sadism.

#9

Demon’s Tilt

(FLARB LLC, released 12/13/19)

There’s a true spiritual successor to Naxat’s classic series of virtual pinball games. It’s every bit as gnarly, gruesome, and action-packed as its forebears, and features a driving bit-crushed musical soundtrack along with some killer sound and sleek visuals. Still in early release, This game looks more than capable of living up to its legacy. It maintains the occult vibes of Devil’s Crush, but has its own dash of flash in the form of its neon-and-darkness motif and old-meets-new aesthetic. Plus it’s a ball to play. Yes, I made a terrible pun on purpose. Flay me alive, please.

#8

River City Girls

(WayForward/Arc System Works, released 9/5/19)

This is exactly what it fucking sounds like, and it’s awesome. This beat em up is a spin off of the Kunio-kun franchise, which gave us River City Ransom, one of classic gaming’s most memorable and engaging punch-and-kick titles. This time, it’s the ladies stepping up to the plate to save their hapless boyfriends from mysterious kidnappers. The story plays out alongside the action in an elegant waltz punctuated by the impacts of fists on faces, as Misako and Kyoko beat the shit out of whoever crosses them while exploring River City for their beaus and the kidnappers who unknowingly signed their own death warrants. The art style and soundtrack are a new take on the original theme, and they both play a role in making this game a knockout. River City Girls is every bit the solid beat em up River City Ransom was, with a dash of the modern for flavor. And girl power!

#7

Katana Zero

(Askiisoft, released 4/18/19)

Katana Zero is dripping with neon-noir style, an action-adventure game that immerses and amazes. You play as a sword-wielding assassin whose psychiatrist gives him drugs that allow him to do bullet-time and see the future. The game has a rich story worth paying attention to, a narrative that gradually unravels a mystery within the absurd yet dire game world. Work began on it in 2016, but it has officially been released this year to very favorable criticism. This game is beautiful, uncompromising, and fun just to watch, let alone play.

#6

Amid Evil

(Indefatigable, released 6/20/19)

A dark fantasy FPS built using the Unreal engine, Amid Evil is another game that took the baton and ran with it in 2019. An homage to classic FPS like Heretic and Hexen, gameplay is nonlinear and requires you to both explore and kick ass. You play as an anonymous “Champion” called upon to cleanse the lands by defeating a mysterious “Evil Force.” What the game lacks in storytelling depth it more than makes up for in terms of gameplay. In both the regular game and Survival Mode, you must face off against a variety of terrible otherworldly creatures and wield an array of strange weapons. Level design is high-caliber and the nonlinear gameplay adds layered challenges to your quest. Amid Evil is worth taking a harder look at if you haven’t already.

#5

Cadence of Hyrule

(Nintendo, released 6/13/19)

If you ever wanted to play one of the iconic early Zelda games like Link to the Past, but wanted to put a whole bucket of spit and polish on it, this Switch title is for you. Cadence of Hyrule gracefully blends old and new ideas, making it a 2D action RPG that will entertain modern and classic fans alike. Devious puzzles, A delightful soundtrack true to the series’ spirit, and an eclectic mix of old and new elements all mean that Switch gamers are missing out if they’re missing this title.

#4

Gato Roboto

(Doinksoft, released 5/30/19)

Another monochrome pixel game whose true colors are its design and its fun factor, Gato Roboto is essentially a super-polished Metroid-style game in which you play a cat. Your owner’s starship crashes, and he sends you, a cat, to investigate the distress signal that initiated the original journey. Thankfully, you get a robo-suit with a gun arm. You can (and need to) enter and exit the suit at various times, find other “vehicles” in certain parts of the game, and unlock power ups while exploring the strange world you’ve landed on. While this is very strictly a Metroid clone, it’s a really fucking good one, and it’s both cute and challenging. Fans of Metroid and similar titles must check this one out.

#3 Hypnospace Outlaw

(Tendershoot, released 3/12/19)

This game is a very self-aware and irreverent parody of the 90s’era incarnation of the World Wide Web. You play as an enforcer of rules and propriety for the users of an online service called Hypnospace, solving puzzles and mysteries as you traverse this giggling love note to the early Internet. The focus is more on story, theme, and adventure than action; Hypnospace Outlaw is another title that is as much an artistic statement as it is a game. The visuals and atmosphere are painfully authentic, rendering the 1999 of another reality in vibrant colors. Hypnospace Outlaw is very strange, but it’s the kind of strange you need in your life.

#2

Nova Drift

(Pixeljam, released 3/27/19)

Nova Drift is an arcade-style shoot em up and an action RPG combined into a future classic. Your ship is eternally customizable, and the open world is so extensive that hours at a time can be lost just exploring. There is an amazing depth of variety in every element of Nova Drift, and you will not get bored. Ever. Vividly colored game objects are stylishly rendered, accompanied by sharp audio elements in a truly gorgeous end product that will provide a universe of adventure.

#1

Reventure

(Pixelatto, released 6/4/19)

Its tagline tells you the most impressive thing about it: 100 different endings. The simple plot has you as an adventurer on a quest to find a magic sword and rescue a princess from a dark lord. Reventure offers players 100 different ways to finish the game and its story, ranging from the simple and comical to the complex and theatrical. Lots of nods to previous action/RPG games can be easily seen, and the blend of action and puzzle is extremely well-balanced. One interesting twist is that, to reach certain endings, the character must be careful what items he picks up, since each item makes his jumping height lower due to encumbrance. Therefore, which item sets reach which endings is a puzzle in and of itself. Action is present in adequate amounts, but Reventure is all about problem solving. It’s lovingly pixelated and incredibly detailed, with a sense of humor to boot. It has caught fire on Steam, and it’s worth getting if you like video games at all. Just play it.

Well, that’s good enough for government work, folks. Happy Holidays, Auld Lang Syne, and Stay Retro!

Super NES Classic

The Super NES Classic edition takes gamers back to the 1990’s, when console gaming was very much in its heyday, and it does it all in a much smaller version of the original. The Super NES Classic will allow gamers to enjoy a huge dose of 16-bit nostalgia, with the console sporting rewind, my game play demo and frame features. Players will be able to enjoy classic titles such as Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past and Donkey Kong Country.

PlayStation Classic

You could say that the original PlayStation changed the gaming world forever, so who wouldn’t want to head back and relive the good old days? The PlayStation Classic is everything the 1994 original was, but 45% smaller, and players can of course link the console to their TV via a HDMI cable. Epic titles such as TEKKEN 3 and Final Fantasy VII feature as two of the titles available to play.

Sega Mega Drive Classic

Sega were very much key players in the gaming industry back in the day, with their consoles always well received by players. One of the finest creations was of course the Sega Mega Drive, so the Sega Mega Drive Classic has fast become one of the most sought-after retro pieces. Players can enjoy iconic game series’ such as Sonic and Mortal Kombat, all on the one console. Stereo sound and multiplayer are both available, to take this retro gaming experience to the next level.

Atari ‘Retro’ Handheld

The Atari provided the first gaming experience for many people, so a retro version of the console which sports the immortalised wood effect and TV output has been very well received by gamers around the world. Based on the Atari 2600, players will be able to get stuck into 50 built-in games and can either enjoy them on the console’s 2.4” screen, or their TV. This is a console which provides a true retro experience.

Sega Genesis Mini

We said Sega were kings of games consoles back on the day, and therefore it should come as no surprise to see them with another entry on our list. This time it’s the Sega Genesis Mini, which is a miniature version of the very successful and hugely popular Sega Genesis. Out in September of this year, gamers are already eagerly anticipating its release, with the console featuring 40 iconic games, which come preloaded. Ecco The Dolphin, Sonic the Hedgehog and Castlevania Bloodlines all come included, with players able to link the console up to their TV via HDMI.

Photo by Unknown, Public Domain

Digital gaming in 2018 is such a ubiquitous part of the modern culture; it’s hard to remember a world without consoles, PCs, mobile devices and the like. Believe it or not, around 50 or so years ago, gaming only existed within the confines of a laboratory! But here we are, decades later with the power to reach players on the other side of the world at our fingertips. Gaming has undergone quite a dramatic evolution over the past half a century; here’s a look back at how it all started.

The 80s: Arcades to Living Rooms

At the beginning of the decade, video games were still mostly to be found in arcades across the globe. Playing games was pretty much a social activity, and titles like the iconic Pac-Manspawned a series of copycat and inferior rip-offs.

As this electric, new decade developed, video games proved that they were here to stay with the release of Nintendo’s first decent home console in 1985: the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Nintendo arguably set the trend for a new wave of immersive, story-based games with fantasy settings like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. Although they were platform games at their core, these innovative titles pushed the medium to its limits.

Not to be outdone, another Japanese gaming giant — Sega — released its first 16-bit console as the 1980s drew to a close, the Genesis/Mega Drive. Choosing a spiky blue hedgehog — Sonic — as its flagship character, the stage was set for a Sonic vs Super Mario standoff!

The 90s: Ultraviolence and Console Wars

Console gaming in the 90s began to take off thanks to a plethora of models released by Nintendo, Sega and the multimedia upstart Sony. The rivalry between Sega and Nintendo kicked off as soon as the decade did, with Nintendo releasing the amped-up 16-bit Super NESin 1991. Thanks to the return of old favorites Mario, Donkey Kong and The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo managed to eke out most of the market share.

That wasn’t the last to be heard from Sega, however, as it still had two firsts up its sleeve: the first console with a built-in modem and 32-bit graphics (Saturn), and the first console capable of online play (Dreamcast). Sadly, for those diehard Sonic fans, Sony would soon push the company out of the market with its cheaper alternative — the PlayStation.

Developers and design studios began to play with what software engineering was capable of in the 90s, unleashing a slew of ultraviolent, ultramodern shoot-em-ups, beat-em-ups, stealth games, RPGs, racing games and survival horror titles into the global gaming community. Amid these R-rated games, popular franchise characters also emerged, and Nintendo pulled off the biggest coup of the decade with its James Bond Goldeneye 007released on the Nintendo 64.

Enter the 21st century

Photo by Oleg, Public Domain

The Noughties: Things Take a Turn to Realism

Not only a new decade or even a new century, the year 2000 marked the dawn of a brand-new millennium. Fittingly, video games became more immersive, more technologically advanced and much more real, and the millennium opened up a whole new rivalry in the gaming world: Sony vs Microsoft!

In the year 2000, Sony sent shockwaves into the community with the 128-bit PlayStation 2. Not only did it feature DVD technology but it also had better graphics capability than a high-end PC and featured a brand-new game that kicked off the trend for realistic gaming environments, Grand Theft Auto. Other titles like Assassin’s Creed, Mass Effectand BioShockwould soon follow, and a whole host of movie tie-ins and games featuring the most iconic characters in popular culture began to hit the shelves.

Wanting a piece of this tasty and profitable pie, Microsoft gave birth to the Xbox, complete with a keynote presentation by Bill Gates himself at the 2001 CES. With an 8GB hard drive, DVD playability, PC technology and (just one year later) Xbox Live functionality, it was everything 50 percent of the millennial generation wanted from a console!

Nintendo gave itself a 21^st-century upgrade when it released the hilariously named Wiiin 2006. Offering a way for resolute non-gamers to get involved with, erm, gaming, it was marketed as a way to keep fit and entertain the whole family without having to leave the living room. Then in 2008, a new kraken awoke: mobile gaming! Always keen to be ahead of the curve, Apple debuted its online house of wares — the App Store— opening up all sorts of possibilities in mobile gaming for developers and gamers alike in the process.

2010 to the Present: Independence and Innovation

And so, we find ourselves in 2018 where gaming is big business! From the leading iGaming platforms with their long lists of real-money online games and apps to the esports tournaments where professional gamers go head-to-head to compete for massive prize pools, the global gaming industry is now worth over $108 billion!

Social gaming (PlayStation 4andXbox 3, we’re looking at you!) has been majorly emphasized over the past eight years. New editions to franchises like World of Warcraft, League of Legendsand Dungeons & Dragonshave connected players from Alaska to Australia, and the best ones have even formed teams to compete in those aforementioned esports tournaments.

Since 2010, we’ve also seen a rise in the number of independent games like Minecrafthit the market. No doubt boosted in popularity by the wildfire that is mobile gaming, which accounts for just under 50 percent of the global gaming industry’s worth! The medium is even developing into health and well-being and is considered by some to be as viable an art form as cinematography.

So, where does the future of gaming lie? Some say it’s all going to be about virtual reality and augmented reality in the years to come while others think it’s time to put the consoles to bed and power up the mobile devices instead. However, the recent trend of reissuing those classic consoles of decades gone by does show that we’re not the only ones into this whole retrowave thing!

Thoughts?

There is no guaranteed formula for a game to become a popular eSports title. There are however certain factors which many games have in common. General popularity is obviously key but the eSports scenes can often flourish if games are easy to spectate and designed in a way which allows the best players to be the best – most of the time. Some uncertainty is obviously more exciting for spectators but the players should still be primarily the ones in control.

These traits are not new in video games and can be traced back to the birth of eSports. Competitive gaming has existed for almost as long as video games themselves. In the early-1970s, a group of students at Stanford University took part in what is believed to have been the first video game tournament. They were competing for a year’s subscription to Rolling Stone magazine in one of the world’s first video games, Spacewar.

Video games and competition have always gone hand-in-hand. Just two years after releasing Space Invaders in 1978, Atari hosted its first tournament on the game while there were as a competitive scene emerging across the United States where players competed for the high scores in games like Donkey Kong, BurgerTime and Pac-Man.

Jul 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Juan “Hungrybox” Debiedma battles Adam “Armada” Lindgren for the Super Smash Bros Melee world title on the third day of the Evo Championship at Mandalay Bay Event Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Things have come a long way since then. The rise of online multiplayer games has taken eSports from players versus computer to players versus players. Online first-person shooters like Blizzard’s Overwatch has become one of the most popular eSports titles today with big money tournaments and leagues.

Another genre which has flourished is the MOBA or multiplayer online battle arena. Titles like League of Legends and Dota 2 are perhaps the two biggest eSports games of all time. They fill arenas with spectators and can attract over a million online viewers and while the vast majority of sponsorship deals and money is exclusive to more modern titles, the passion and dedication are not. Many fans are swapping 4K for pixels and MOBAs for cartridge games very much alive eSports scenes based around some old titles.

Fighting games have always brought out a competitive streak within its player base. Each year, thousands of people flock to Las Vegas to spectate and take part in the Evolution Championship Series. The tournament focuses mainly on fighting games with players typically competing on the more modern titles in classic series like Street Fighter V and Tekken 7. However, older titles like 2011’s Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and 2001’s Super Smash Bros. Melee also draw crowds.

It’s not unique to fighting games. Nintendo has released a total of thirteen Mario Kartgames across console and arcade including 2017’s offering, Mario Kart 8 Deluxebut many fans crave the simplicity and balance of the very first title, Super Mario Kartwhich was released way back in 1996. Julien “ScouB” Holmière is one of the world’s best Super Mario Kartplayers and for years has competed in the Super Mario Kart Championships, a yearly tournament where the world’s best players compete. So why does ScouB, a player who has won the last two Championship titles, continue to apply his clear gaming talents to a title which is over twenty years old?

Image Courtesy of Betway Casino

“[Super Mario Kart] is not like the recent Mario Karts where you can be trolled by blue shells and be successively hit by 11 opponents,” ScouB told Polygon. “The fact that we still discover new strategies and beat the world records on a weekly basis makes it really attractive.”

So, there it is. Games have only gone one way in terms of graphics and sizebut not every area is being improved upon which is particularly important in a competitive scene. The vast majority of eSports money is invested in titles released in the last few years but some pro gamers still crave the competition which can only be found in a select group of older titles.From classic fighting games to Mario Kart, video games need to meet certain standards in order to meet the demands of its best players and if newer releases aren’t doing it, they have a few decades of titles to choose from.

Here are just a few of the vintage video-game experiences you can enjoy on Android and iOS devices today, ranging from platformers and shooters to slot machines and beyond.

Sega Forever Collection

It may have ducked out of the home console market almost two decades ago, but Sega is still a major presence on the development and publishing scene. If you want to relive some of its genre-defining games from the era of the Master System and Mega Drive, then you need to check out the Forever Collection.

This anthology of games includes everything from well known titles like Sonic The Hedgehog 2 to more obscure options like Comix Zone. And best of all is the fact that every one is free to play. You can pay a small fee to get rid of the in-app ads if you want, but there’s no obligation if you’re happy to sit through the occasional onscreen promotion.

Final Fantasy II

Fans of Square Enix and its historic series of JRPGs will appreciate the ability to play earlier games while out and about. And if you’ve yet to delve into the world of Final Fantasy, the second entry is a good place to start.

Its mobile adaption includes upgraded graphics, new dungeons and an immersive, sprawling storyline that will keep you playing for hours. If you like strategic, turn-based combat and deep characters, it is an excellent choice to add to your collection, even with its premium price point.

Alternatively why not check out the well-received mobile version of Final Fantasy XV to see how the series has progressed.

DOOM Classic

In the mid-90s the first person shooter genre was brought kicking and screaming into existence by the young team at ID Software. Today DOOM is still alive and well, with its most recent incarnation on PC and consoles managing to go back to what made the original so great.

To experience the claustrophobic corridors and squealing demons of the first game, all you need to do is install DOOM Classic on your iPhone. It comes with all of the levels and features you’d expect, along with the option to listen to the rocking soundtrack separately and take advantage of touchscreen controls to stay involved with the gameplay.

The app itself is getting on for 10 years old, but regular updates are still released to ensure that it is compatible with the newest versions of iOS.

Double Triple Chance

Mobile slots have improved massively over the years, bringing the experience of playing a casino to portable platforms in incredibly inventive ways. But if all the bells and whistles are getting you down, why not play Double Triple Chance at Casumo?

With three reels, five paylines and plenty of fruity icons, it is every inch the classic slot machine experience. And because you can play for free in the trial mode, you don’t have to risk any cash to go back in time and enjoy retro gaming excitement wherever you are.

Tetris

It seems like Tetris has been re-imagined in thousands of different forms over the years. But if you want a back to basics experience which is playable in the palm of your hand, the mobile edition published by EA is your best bet.

Sure, there are different game modes to try out, and the colourful graphics look quite a bit different from the green and grey of the Game Boy original. But the core mechanics remain the same and this is a game that can be enjoyed in short bursts or over longer sessions, which gives it plenty of flexibility.

Pac-Man Championship Edition

Tetris may be iconic, but Pac-Man is a mascot for the entire industry. The arcade style of this game is perfectly suited to mobile play, as are the simplicity of the controls, which avoid a lot of the complications that modern titles can suffer.

The graphics combine retro charm with contemporary effects, and this Championship Edition is arguably the definitive Pac-Man experience.

The Secret of Monkey Island – Special Edition

Often seen as the funniest, most enjoyable point and click adventure game of all time, this 1990 game was given a makeover a few years ago, with enhanced graphics and added voice acting. It is a natural fit for mobile play, with an interface that works well with your fingertips rather than a mouse.

You can even switch back to the classic graphics and audio effects if you do not want the remastered experience, which is a nice touch that many other developers have since copied. So get downloading and try these retro classics today.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality was once just a phenomenon discussed in retro movies giving a vision of the future, much like flying cars. However, that vision has become a reality with the development of Virtual Reality headsets. Although VR took off properly in 2014 with the release of the Oculus Rift, it actually began back in the 1990s when Nintendo released their own VR gaming headset called Virtual Boy. This device used a VR headset connected to a Nintendo controller. However, it didn’t get the level of popularity expected and was branded a failure, so VR was shelved for another two decades. Nowadays, Samsung has the monopoly on VR technology, with the Samsung Gear 360 being one of the most immersive and realistic devices to play games on. VR has made games much more realistic and entertaining, and with so many games optimized for the VR experience, it is exciting to see what the future holds for it.

Source: Pixabay.com

Casino Gaming

It was in 1994 when online casinos first appeared, and if you wanted to play you would have to acquire a CD ROM from the gambling company to install their games to play on your computer. Installation took quite some time due to slower computers, and dial-up internet meant it took ages to establish a connection. Furthermore, the graphics and quality of online casino games were incredibly primitive and we likely wouldn’t consider playing them today. Fortunately, there have been a lot of advancements in the online casino industry over the last 20 years, and now there are hundreds of thousands of online casinos to choose from. Microgaming is an online casino game developer who has been around since the very beginning way back in 1994 and they have made sure to evolve all of their games to be high quality and entertaining without the dull graphics and long waiting times. Slot machines are their specialty, so make sure to check it out!

Source: Pixabay.com

Online Gaming

Back in the day, playing multiplayer games meant plugging in an extra controller for your friend to play. Playing with people without physically being with them had never crossed our minds, never mind playing with hundreds of people all around the world. However, the past two decades have seen many changes, and now eSports are taking the gaming industry by storm. eSports are multiplayer games which are played competitively online to an audience of hundreds of thousands, and not only are they fun to play, but sponsorship deals mean that successful eSports players could make a fortune just by playing video games! Games such as DOTA 2 and League of Legends are hugely popular among online gamers, and sites such as Twitch TV have huge subscription numbers for people who wish to host and spectate online gameplay. Online gaming has gone global, and it is exciting to see what the future for eSports will hold.

Source: Pixabay.com

Technology has changed the face of gaming drastically since the 1990s, however, there is always room for improvement. With so many exciting advancements being made each year, it is exciting to see what the future has in store for the gaming industry.

In the world of fiction, sometimes the curtain parts to reveal a true conflict. The petty squabbles and sex-drenched tousles so popular with the masses are forced to make way for a truly apocalyptic clashing of forces. The few must take up arms against the many, and great weapons must be brought to bear. The literary cleverness and lace-doily detective bullshit fall into the flaming mouth of Hell and all that remains is the one crossing of swords that has echoed (and will echo) through eternity: humanity vs. anti-humanity. If you wish to leave moral relativism on the curb next to the garbage where it belongs, let’s call it what it is… good vs. evil.

Hence the significance of the Contra series.

Super Contra picks up the guitar where its prequel left it upon the stage, reaches back toward the amp and turns the bitch up to 11. The story continues like so many in classic gaming do: The big evil bad guy (in this case, the nebulous alien force referred to as Red Falcon) has reclaimed a piece of Earth to stage an invasion. This time, it’s not just some piece of God-forsaken jungle. It’s a whole military base, including the personnel. Of course, Earth’s leaders shit their pants and call up the two hardasses who put a stop to the first fiasco: Bill Rizer and Lance Bean.

Lance Bean. Now there’s a name you’d better wear like a bad motherfucker if you intend to be taken seriously, ever. And he does.

Konami released Super Contra in 1988 for the arcade and the NES (titling it Super C for American audiences), also dropping versions for Amiga and DOS. For the purposes of this article, I’ll be looking mainly at the arcade and NES versions.

If you’ve played the original Contra, you’ll find minimal surprises in terms of gameplay when you first leap off the helicopter in Super C. The same basic ideas apply: you’re blasting and trying not to get blasted in turn, while scooping up better weaponry along the way. The action is a bit more intense, and the stakes are every bit as high. Playing with a buddy ups your survival chances, as you’ll definitely want someone watching the rear.

I suppose I was bullshitting you a little bit… Super Contra has some top-down stages that are a little different from the chase-view “base” levels present in its predecessor. Threats come from everywhere, 360 full degrees of danger pressing in… but the added perk of these levels is the presence of “Shells” (read: screen-clearing bombs) that come in handy in a tight spot. They’re sparse, though, so use them wisely.

Graphically, both versions of the game are simply doing more with the same toolset than their predecessors did. This is most evident with some of the boss designs; where you faced down a lot of giant-robot-looking shit in Contra, you’ll be seeing a lot of gnarly bio-monster art here, and it’s stunningly well-done. It’s even a little frightening. The soundtrack shines, and is probably the strongest point for me personally. Konami rarely failed to deliver in this department (which I suppose still rings mostly true today), and Super Contra is no exception. No one likes a lame first level music track, and that’s not a problem anyone has to worry about here.

Super Contra is a sequel where sticking close to the original format was the best possible idea, and it comes off extremely well. It’s every bit as pulse-pounding and intense as its predecessor, if not more so. I give it 8/10.

We normally talk about the literal classics in my articles: games that came out when we were young, that defined our video game experience as we grew into what we are now. However, sometimes I like to shine a deserved spotlight on modern titles that seek to recapture that gold-spun retro feel. They may do it through their setting, their style, even their subject matter. The idea continues to not only sustain itself, but to grow in popularity. Here are the ten games from 2017 that have really stood out in that manner… dare we say, the best of the year.

#10

Door Kickers: Action Squad

Killhouse Games

“exitus acta probat” translation: sometimes you gotta shoot down a fucking door.

A true inheritor of the run-and-gun bloodline, Action Squad is one part squad tactics, one part gunfighting action and two parts high-octane RIDICULOUS. This side-scrolling pixel style number is reminiscent of the earlier Broforce, but its multiplayer and goal-oriented facets are more strongly emphasized. The game has made a deep impact on Steam, even before its full release. Bust down doors, wreck perps, and get wrecked in turn. Action Squad is one of those games where you can’t even get mad when your guy dies, because you’ll be laughing your ass off.

#9

Shadows of Adam

Something Classic Games, LLC

This is home. This is where you belong.

If you are one of those diehard fans of the classic Super NES era JRPGs, then this is a must-have for you. Rich, lush pixel graphics combine with a strong soundtrack and a killer storyline to recapture the magic of the genre the way it was when games still came in cartridges. Shadows of Adam also features a refreshing AP combat system, which encourages economical and clever battle strategy outside of the time-honored “thwock and be thwocked back” method. Definitely recommended for RPG fanss who love the classic formula but could do with a bit of a twist.

#8

CrossCode

Radical Fish Games

Only one example of the stunning visuals you will encounter in CrossCode.

And then there’s THIS neo-retro RPG masterpiece. The best way I could describe this one would be: if all those classic SNES RPGs smoked an undiluted hit of action and stuffed their backpack with all the great bells and whistles that have become part of the RPG genre from then to now… but still stayed true to the form you first knew. CrossCode is the story of a mute girl who logs into an MMO from the future, but there’s more to it than that (PLAY IT). The game’s got talent trees, side quests, a slick story, and incredibly sick 2D graphics in the JRPG style. You won’t just be engaging in live full-action combat (a step up from the one thing that could be considered boring about the old school source material), you’ll be solving puzzles and exploring a huge game world. There’s tons to suck in old school RPG fans and action junkies alike.

#7

Flint Hook

Tribute Games, Inc.

The game’s selling point can be summed up in two words… SICK. MOVES.

This side-scrolling action plunderfest is a real gem with a lot going for it. Flint Hook combines incredibly fun gameplay elements with undeniably old-school audiovisual elements to provide an addictive time sink worthy of any gamer’s thumbs. The levels are procedurally generated, which means the game’s replay value is through the roof. There’s nothing not to love about Flint Hook; playing as a space bounty-hunter with a neat array of gadgets and an endless supply of daunting challenges makes for one hell of a fantastic voyage. There’s also a ton of achievements worth unlocking, since nearly all of them give you something tangible and/or equippable in the game. Tribute Games has really crafted a great example of game design with this one!

#6

Orbt XL

Nickervision Studios

This barely does it justice. Peep this video of someone rocking hard. You’ll get the idea.

An addictive yet easy to pick up game, eloquent in its simplicity, Orbt XL makes the list not only for its popularity but for its sheer playability. While it’s not a full-on immersive experience, this space-themed bit of retro goodness will keep you occupied. Moving the little moon in between orbital zones to keep it clear of the incoming projectiles gets harder and harder, making Orbt XL a game you can never “win…” but you will constantly be trying to one-up yourself (and your friends) in the pursuit of a higher and higher score. A test of guile and reflexes, this one is worth checking out if you consider yourself a true daredevil.

#5

Ubermosh Vol. 5

Walter Machado

A lurid rave party of dayglo splatter.

Ubermosh is a series that’s been rolling like thunder since 2015, and 2017’s Volume 5 is the best one yet. Brutal gameplay simplicity packaged in 90s-bright cyberpunk vividness and festooned with blood and blast-marks. Pure poetry. With a soundtrack every inch as brutal as the game itself and a fast pace of high-impact bloodshed, Ubermosh is as gruesomely wonderful as I am trying to make it sound. What’s even better? It’s dirt-cheap on Steam. Scoop it up.

#4

Crawl

Powerhoof

Eldritch as fuck. Best believe. 

It’s no secret that I love roguelikes, dungeon crawlers, or whatever you’d like to label them. They tend to be unforgiving and dark… hideously entertaining. Crawl is no exception. In fact, it’s kicked the bar up a few notches. It has a delightful Lovecraftian overtone, executed beautifully in unspeakable pixel art with a haunting 8 bit soundtrack to match. The coolest part is multiplayer; your friends control the very monsters assaulting your well-being and sanity in the depths of this ghastly dungeon. Only so much can be said. The unearthly delights of Crawl must be seen.

#3

Thimbleweed Park

Terrible Toybox

Yes, that is a clown getting electrocuted. It gets even better.

When you have a look at Thimbleweed Park, you will instantly be reminded of all those classic LucasArts story-games. In fact, it’s made by Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, the minds behind the classics Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island! It starts out as a murder mystery… but you’ll quickly find it to be much more than that, a journey into the supernatural, the absurd, and the unbelievable. Set in 1987, Thimbleweed Park tells a set of connected stories that require you to control 5 playable characters while navigating the narrative. Overflowing with brilliantly made puzzles and twists beyond Shyamalan’s wildest dreams, Thimbleweed Park has real staying power as a return to the adventure game format. It exceeds expectations.

#2

Null Vector

Optical Override

Soak it all in. This is as 80s as it gets.

Null Vector blasted off in August and blew a lot of retro gamers’ minds. It’s a roguelike, but it’s unlike any roguelike I’ve seen. Represented in absolutely delicious faux-3D early 80s arcade style, this hybrid has a tie to shoot-em-ups as well. Null Vector places you in control of a fully customizable ship for your journey through its neon world. There is a real difficulty to this one; it keeps you going at it through some really rewarding but challenging play. Two things I love the most about it: it’s still in early access so it’s only going to get better, and it’s currently FREE on Steam. Go get it and start blasting through your 80s dream in a whole new way.

#1

Cuphead

StudioMDHR Entertainment Inc.

It is heaven and hell in one beautiful package.

Oh my god, Cuphead. So much has already been said. This is the game that kicked the gaming world directly in the ass this year. Not only is Cuphead a visual masterpiece, but it is everything a retro-style game should be in terms of play. It’s got chops to go up against the most brutal run-and-gun classics; it’s Contra on steroids with a priceless coating of retro-cartoon glaze that multiplies its appeal. This is a hard game, but we like a challenge, don’t we? It is rare for a game to have this level of visual appeal AND be punishing in all the right ways. Cuphead has put StudioMDHR on the map, and it’s made me hope we see a lot from them in the future.

On the subject of the future… we have so much coming your way in 2018. Get ready! NewRetroWave and NRW Gaming will be bringing the fire… We’ve enjoyed bringing you the dream in 2017, and may we dream in even brighter neon colors in 2018. Happy Holidays, and we will see you next year!

We normally talk about the literal classics in my articles: games that came out when we were young, that defined our video game experience as we grew into what we are now. However, sometimes I like to shine a deserved spotlight on modern titles that seek to recapture that gold-spun retro feel. They may do it through their setting, their style, even their subject matter. The idea continues to not only sustain itself, but to grow in popularity. Here are the ten games from 2017 that have really stood out in that manner… dare we say, the best of the year.

#10

Door Kickers: Action Squad

Killhouse Games

Read them the riot act. Or just demonstrate. Whatever.

A true inheritor of the run-and-gun bloodline, Action Squad is one part squad tactics, one part gunfighting action and two parts high-octane RIDICULOUS. This side-scrolling pixel style number is reminiscent of the earlier Broforce, but its multiplayer and goal-oriented facets are more strongly emphasized. The game has made a deep impact on Steam, even before its full release. Bust down doors, wreck perps, and get wrecked in turn. Action Squad is one of those games where you can’t even get mad when your guy dies, because you’ll be laughing your ass off.

#9

Shadows of Adam

Something Classic Games, LLC

Yeah, we got tricks.

If you are one of those diehard fans of the classic Super NES era JRPGs, then this is a must-have for you. Rich, lush pixel graphics combine with a strong soundtrack and a killer storyline to recapture the magic of the genre the way it was when games still came in cartridges. Shadows of Adam also features a refreshing AP combat system, which encourages economical and clever battle strategy outside of the time-honored “thwock and be thwocked back” method. Definitely recommended for RPG fanss who love the classic formula but could do with a bit of a twist.

#8

CrossCode

Radical Fish Games

Just one example of the incredible visuals in this game.

And then there’s THIS neo-retro RPG masterpiece. The best way I could describe this one would be: if all those classic SNES RPGs smoked an undiluted hit of action and stuffed their backpack with all the great bells and whistles that have become part of the RPG genre from then to now… but still stayed true to the form you first knew. CrossCode is the story of a mute girl who logs into an MMO from the future, but there’s more to it than that (PLAY IT). The game’s got talent trees, side quests, a slick story, and incredibly sick 2D graphics in the JRPG style. You won’t just be engaging in live full-action combat (a step up from the one thing that could be considered boring about the old school source material), you’ll be solving puzzles and exploring a huge game world. There’s tons to suck in old school RPG fans and action junkies alike.

#7

Flint Hook

Tribute Games, Inc.

You have a hook shot and you can slow down time. If you can’t have fun with that, I don’t even know you.

This side-scrolling action plunderfest is a real gem with a lot going for it. Flint Hook combines incredibly fun gameplay elements with undeniably old-school audiovisual elements to provide an addictive time sink worthy of any gamer’s thumbs. The levels are procedurally generated, which means the game’s replay value is through the roof. There’s nothing not to love about Flint Hook; playing as a space bounty-hunter with a neat array of gadgets and an endless supply of daunting challenges makes for one hell of a fantastic voyage. There’s also a ton of achievements worth unlocking, since nearly all of them give you something tangible and/or equippable in the game. Tribute Games has really crafted a great example of game design with this one!

#6

Orbt XL

Nickervision Studios

A screenshot barely shows you anything. Have a look at this short video of gameplay to get the real idea.

An addictive yet easy to pick up game, eloquent in its simplicity, Orbt XL makes the list not only for its popularity but for its sheer playability. While it’s not a full-on immersive experience, this space-themed bit of retro goodness will keep you occupied. Moving the little moon in between orbital zones to keep it clear of the incoming projectiles gets harder and harder, making Orbt XL a game you can never “win…” but you will constantly be trying to one-up yourself (and your friends) in the pursuit of a higher and higher score. A test of guile and reflexes, this one is worth checking out if you consider yourself a true daredevil.

#5

Ubermosh Vol. 5

Walter Machado

Your every sense will tingle with the power of Ubermosh. And death. Lots of death.

Ubermosh is a series that’s been rolling like thunder since 2015, and 2017’s Volume 5 is the best one yet. Brutal gameplay simplicity packaged in 90s-bright cyberpunk vividness and festooned with blood and blast-marks. Pure poetry. With a soundtrack every inch as brutal as the game itself and a fast pace of high-impact bloodshed, Ubermosh is as gruesomely wonderful as I am trying to make it sound. What’s even better? It’s dirt-cheap on Steam. Scoop it up.

#4

Crawl

Powerhoof

Eldritch as fuck. Make no mistake. When you crawl into Crawl, you’re inviting madness and death. Bring a friend!

It’s no secret that I love roguelikes, dungeon crawlers, or whatever you’d like to label them. They tend to be unforgiving and dark… hideously entertaining. Crawl is no exception. In fact, it’s kicked the bar up a few notches. It has a delightful Lovecraftian overtone, executed beautifully in unspeakable pixel art with a haunting 8 bit soundtrack to match. The coolest part is multiplayer; your friends control the very monsters assaulting your well-being and sanity in the depths of this ghastly dungeon. Only so much can be said. The unearthly delights of Crawl must be seen.

#3

Thimbleweed Park

Terrible Toybox

Yes, that is a clown electrocuting himself. It gets even better.

When you have a look at Thimbleweed Park, you will instantly be reminded of all those classic LucasArts story-games. In fact, it’s made by Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, the minds behind the classics Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island! It starts out as a murder mystery… but you’ll quickly find it to be much more than that, a journey into the supernatural, the absurd, and the unbelievable. Set in 1987, Thimbleweed Park tells a set of connected stories that require you to control 5 playable characters while navigating the narrative. Overflowing with brilliantly made puzzles and twists beyond Shyamalan’s wildest dreams, Thimbleweed Park has real staying power as a return to the adventure game format. It exceeds expectations.

#2

Null Vector

Optical Override

Null Vector: the absolute sickness.

Null Vector blasted off in August and blew a lot of retro gamers’ minds. It’s a roguelike, but it’s unlike any roguelike I’ve seen. Represented in absolutely delicious faux-3D early 80s arcade style, this hybrid has a tie to shoot-em-ups as well. Null Vector places you in control of a fully customizable ship for your journey through its neon world. There is a real difficulty to this one; it keeps you going at it through some really rewarding but challenging play. Two things I love the most about it: it’s still in early access so it’s only going to get better, and it’s currently FREE on Steam. Go get it and start blasting through your 80s dream in a whole new way.

#1

Cuphead

StudioMDHR Entertainment Inc.

A THOUSAND TIMES YES! This shit is crazy and you are straight dumpster-napping if you haven’t given it a go! It will punish you like the flames of Hades, but that’s pretty fitting for part of the game’s theme, isn’t it?

Oh my god, Cuphead. So much has already been said. This is the game that kicked the gaming world directly in the ass this year. Not only is Cuphead a visual masterpiece, but it is everything a retro-style game should be in terms of play. It’s got chops to go up against the most brutal run-and-gun classics; it’s Contra on steroids with a priceless coating of retro-cartoon glaze that multiplies its appeal. This is a hard game, but we like a challenge, don’t we? It is rare for a game to have this level of visual appeal AND be punishing in all the right ways. Cuphead has put StudioMDHR on the map, and it’s made me hope we see a lot from them in the future.

On the subject of the future… we have so much coming your way in 2018. Get ready! NewRetroWave and NRW Gaming will be bringing the fire… We’ve enjoyed bringing you the dream in 2017, and may we dream in even brighter neon colors in 2018. Happy Holidays, and we will see you next year!