Retro Video Games: 10 Vintage Video Games from the 80s and 90s

Retro gaming has made a massive comeback in recent years, with people of all ages dusting off their old consoles and rediscovering the classic games they grew up with!

Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a newcomer to the world of retro video games, certain games are simply iconic and have stood the test of time. In this article, we'll look at the 10 most iconic vintage 80s video games and 90s video games.

Our Controller Of Choice: Game Boy Edition Nintendo Controller

 

Super Mario Bros. (1985)

Super Mario Bros. is a classic 80, video game platformer that was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985. It's the game that started it all for Mario, and it's still as much fun to play today as it was all those years ago.

With its simple yet addictive gameplay, iconic characters, and memorable soundtrack, Super Mario Bros. is a true classic that's a must-play for anyone interested in retro gaming. 

Pros:	Cons:
Original game Simple yet addictive gameplay	Doesn't show how many lives the character has in the middle of a level

The Legend of Zelda (1986)

The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure game that was released for the NES in 1986. It's often considered one of the greatest video games of all time, and its impact on the industry cannot be overstated!

The expansive world, challenging puzzles, and iconic music make The Legend of Zelda a true masterpiece.

Pros:	Cons:
Freedom of choice/movement within the game Strong atmospheric design of locations for the time of game release	Some areas within the game are more developed than others

Tetris (1984)

Tetris is a simple puzzle game that was first released in 1984, but its impact on the video game industry has been massive. Tetris is still as much fun to play today as it was all those years ago, its iconic design making it a true classic.

Pros:	Cons:
Classic game with an addictive music score Simple to play	Can get boring when playing continually

 

 

Space Invaders (1978)

Space Invaders is a classic arcade game that was first released in 1978. It's widely considered to be one of the first truly successful video games, and its impact on the industry cannot be overstated.

Its iconic design and memorable soundtrack make Space Invaders a legendary game that's well worth playing.

Pros:	Cons:
Saves player's score to their in-game progression, making the game competitive to beat the previous score.	The colours within the game are quite plain and boring.

 

Donkey Kong (1981)

Donkey Kong is a traditional arcade game that was first released in 1981. It's widely considered to be one of the first true platformers, and it's still as much fun to play today as it was all those years ago.

Pros:	Cons:
Game design Addictive gameplay	Easy to complete the game quickly.

 

Street Fighter II (1991)

Street Fighter II is a fighting game that was released for arcade machines in 1991. It's widely considered to be one of the greatest fighting games of all time, and its impact on the industry cannot be overstated. Street Fighter II has deep gameplay, iconic characters, and a memorable soundtrack, it's a true classic, well worth playing. 

Pros:	Cons:
Engaging design and colours. Strong graphics	Very similar to the original game

 

 

Final Fantasy VII (1997)

Final Fantasy VII is a classic role-playing game that was released for the Sony PlayStation in 1997.

It's widely considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time, and its impact on the industry cannot be overstated, its deep storyline, memorable characters, and iconic music makes Final Fantasy VII an iconic classic worth playing.

Pros:	Cons:
Excellent soundtrack Strong gameplay	The graphics are slightly outdated

 

 

Pac-Man (1980)

Pac-Man is one of the most recognisable video games of all time, and it's still just as much fun to play today as it was when it first came out in 1980. With its straightforward yet addictive gameplay, quirky characters, and iconic music, Pac-Man is a classic that's a must-play for any retro gamer.

Pros:	Cons:
Quick game Easy to understand/play	Can get boring with the same continual gameplay. No specific storyline

Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

Sonic the Hedgehog is a classic platformer that was released for the Sega Genesis in 1991. It's often considered one of the greatest video games of all time, and its impact on the industry cannot be overstated.

With its fast-paced gameplay and iconic design, Sonic the Hedgehog is a true classic.

Pros:	Cons:
Interesting, engaging graphics Quick to play - fast-paced	If you get hit whilst playing, all rings are lost permanently

 

Doom (1993)

Doom is an iconic first-person shooter that was released for PC in 1993. It's widely considered one of the most important video games of all time, and its impact on the industry cannot be overstated.

Pros:	Cons:
Exciting gameplay Strong plotline	Poor visuals/graphics

 

 

Conclusion:

These are just 10 of the most iconic games from the 90s and 80s, but there are many more classics out there waiting to be rediscovered. So why not dust off your old console, grab a controller, and get ready to experience some of the greatest video games of all time?