The evolution of consoles and computers is so fast and intense that many games end up being left behind for not keeping up with this powerful development. However, they are still great classics!
They helped build the different genres – even before the existence of the internet and the possibility of online games. Every now and then, they appear on the new consoles, which make the party of older gamers.
With that in mind, we’ve selected a list of 7 classic games from the 20th century. To give you an idea, it has Tetris, Sonic, Pac Man and more! Curious to find out? So, keep reading.
1. Tetris
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)Source: Wikimedia Commons
Few games go through time this way, gaining new versions for different devices. The history of this Russian game is full of curiosities that surprise us every day.
The first is that, after being created in 1984, Tetris has been distributed to different platforms by Nintendo. Alexey Pajitnov, its creative designer, only regained the rights to his creation in 1996.
That year, Pajitnov launched Tetris Company and expanded the game around the world, in different formats. The game became a book, movies, game show on TV and, finally, took on a large space in pop culture.
The game logic is very simple! Intelligence and skill in handling pieces of different formats are central points to complete the victory of the game.
2. Serpent
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)Source: Wikimedia Commons
Serpent, whose English name is Snake, is better known as “Nokia’s snake game”. That’s because it was one of the only mobile games available on the Finnish company’s model, released in 1998.
However, the history of this game is older. The initial version appeared in a 1976 game called Blockade.
The player initially controls a small and thin creature, and must drag it across the screen so that it collects food and grows. The two rules are: do not hit the snake on your own body or on the sides of the screen.
3. Pac-Man
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pac-Man falls into a category of old games similar to Tetris. Created in a time before the big consoles, the title has Japanese origins, being one of the most perpetuated games in pop culture around the world.
Released in 1980, its logic is also simple. You must eat all the dots inside a closed mazewithout allowing the colored ghosts to reach you.
When the player eats large flashing dots, the “Powe Pellets” turn blue, and you can temporarily eat them too, earning bonus points for doing so. If the ghosts catch you, it’s game over.
The inspiration for creating the character was the image of a pizza without a slice. However, to give it a more sophisticated look, Toru Iwatani – creator of Pac-Man – says that kuchi, the Japanese character for mouth, also influenced him.
4. International Superstar Soccer
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Long before FIFA and PES – now eFootball – shared the reign of online football, Konami made history with International Superstar Soccer. After all, ISS had to exist so that other football games could mark an era with their advanced technology.
In an era before the agreements for the use of brands and real names of players, the ISS had a party for children and teenagers with stars like Allejo (Bebeto), Gomez (Romário), Redonda (Maradona), Fidrini (Del Piero) and Peace (Fig).
The gameplay was funny, but this was normal football, with two teams dueling over who could score the most goals. With special codes, you could turn the referee into a dog and some game bugs allowed bicycle goals from midfield, among other absurdities.
5. Sonic
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)Source: Wikimedia Commons
Both Xbox and Playstation tried to prevent new generations from hearing about Sonic only in emulators for consoles.
Sonic is from the time when console-only games started to become a trend. Thus, those who had a Super Nintendo would only play the game in an arcade or at a friend’s house with a Mega Drive.
The premise was simple: control Sonic running at high speeds, collecting rings to improve his health, jumping and dodging obstacles on the way. The goal? Defeat Dr. Robotnik, a scientist who imprisoned animals in robots and wished to obtain the Chaos Emeralds.
6. Super Mario World
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)Source: Wikimedia Commons
You know what we said about Sonic up there? In Super Mario World, the premise is similar. Despite not being the first title in the franchise, it was responsible for making it famous among Super Nintendo owners.
Developed by Nintendo itself, the game put the pair of plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, to save Princess Mushroom from Bowser. He was the main villain of the game, along with his henchmen, the Koopalings.
In Super Mario World, the player has to go through the stages until reaching the pole at the endjumping, collecting flowers that give superpowers, coins, eating mushrooms that give momentary protection and, above all, not being defeated by enemies.
This game introduced Yoshi to the franchise – which is why fans considered him the best of the entire series.
7. Streets of Rage 2
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)Source: Wikimedia Commons
Thinking of old fighting games is like thinking of Streets of Rage 2. Much of what we know in terms of fighting games comes from the game developed by Sega for the Mega Drive.
The evolution to the previous title was immense. In the game, you could choose from four characters (Axel Stone, Blaze Fielding, Max “Thunder” Hatchet and Eddie “Skate Hunter”) to fight Mr. X and defeat his criminal organization, the Syndicate.
It was possible to play in pairs in the arcades, which was very useful in the most difficult levels, especially when you had to face the bosses of the levels. It is considered one of the best games ever made for the Mega Drive.as well as one of the greatest for video games of all time.
And you, which of these classic 20th century games do you miss? Enjoy and share with your friends. Keep an eye on Voxel for other nostalgic gaming stories!
