In spite of the growing popularity of all the amazing games in iTunes, you still have that soft spot for the earliest games, usually the ones you played in the arcades like these top 20 retro games:
Hyper Snake
You know, you never really had a mobile phone unless it comes with the Snake game. We thought it has already gone extinct until we find it in the most unusual places: YouTube. While waiting for the entire clip to load, you can actually play the game using the same warning: don’t bite your tail if you don’t want to be dead. Best of all, there’s an upgraded version of it called the Hyper Snake, which you can already download in iTunes. It maximizes the accelerometer of your mobile device, using your own hand gestures to tilt and control the snake’s movements.
Space Invader
Perhaps at the height of so-called alien invasion and man’s dream to further conquering space, Space Invader came about, and it was such a huge hit in the arcades. These days, you don’t have to find an arcade shop before you can play the game. Simply download it straight into your mobile device. It may cost around $5, but childhood memories are priceless.
Pac-Man
Definitely the most celebrated old-school game is Pac-man. In fact, it’s the predecessor of the Snake, which also became popular during the 1990s. If you miss running away from ghouls and eating cherries for extra points, go grab this game from iTunes. This is around $6, very expensive, but it’s the price to pay for having one of the best arcade games in history ever.
Dig Dug
Before there was Temple Run, there was Dig Dug. Though you don’t have to run away from demonic monkeys, you have to avoid as much as you can all those nasty creatures as you dig your way to freedom. Do it fast and you’ll get handsome points.
Wolfenstein 3D
Here’s the truth: single-person shooting games are actually old school. Want some proof? Check out Wolfenstein 3D. It’s as brutal and merciless as the new games, as it compels you to shoot your enemies in close range or point blank. Yeah, talk about exhilaration and deep thrills.
Commodore 64 Games
Commodore 64, when it was released, was somewhat deceiving. Moms and dads were eager for them because of the different great “computer applications,” while you, on the other hand, were bouncing for joy because of the many games that came along with it, such as Space Taxi and Boulder Dash. This cost around $5, which isn’t bad considering the number of other classic games you can find in it.
Doom
Before there were Plants vs Zombies, there was Doom. Although the graphics weren’t as visually tasty as today, the game’s premise was already enough to send chills up and down your spine: kill those demons that had crossed from the other side to Earth. Of course, right now, it has received a much better graphic treatment, which makes it all the more powerful and gruesome.
Streets of Rage 2
Don’t know where to put that stress? Play Streets of Rage 2! There you get to be the good buy and even a hero as you beat all those scumbags in your virtual neighborhood. You can try MMA fighting or get your hands on some useful tools such as pipes and knives. It’s bloody, it’s hell, and it sweats off all your frustrations.
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy was a successful brand. It even had a couple of movies based on the story. However, back then it was very limited, since you could only play it in Nintendo DS. These days, you can already download it in your iPhone or iPad and continue being enthralled by this wonderful action-packed RPG.
Myst
Myst is a very simple game: you simply have to point and click on the items on the screen. However, it became a huge hit despite being its limited release (it was designed for Mac), because of its another component: interaction. The game is composed of many scenes with several items you can engage in, such as journal you have to read.
Solitaire
Do you remember the time when Internet wasn’t so popular yet? You normally kill boredom by playing this very classic game: Solitaire. It’s one of the simplest we’ve seen, but still we can’t get enough of it for the simple reason we want to win every time. We can’t stop until we reach our goal, and nothing seems more gratifying than seeing all cards turned up.
CD Man
Though a lot of us are Mac fans, we secretly wish we also had Windows PC so we can play all those cool DOS games, you know, the ones that appear after the entire screen has turned black. CD Man was one of those noteworthy DOS games. However, there’s no need to use any keyboard or joystick to enjoy it.
Mad Dog McCree
The 1990s gun-slinging Wild, Wild West protector is back, and it has found an incredible home in your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. The vicious bandidos have instilled a lot of fear in an otherwise-quiet town and have kidnapped the mayor and his daughter. It’s your time to show them who’s the real boss by peppering them with lead once in a while. Precision counts here.
Sonic
Remember Sonic the Hedgehog? Well, you don’t have to miss him anymore as he’s about to bring the same amount of havoc with his ultra speed right in your iPhone or iPad screen. And with a price of no more than $2, you shouldn’t take twice having him in your mobile device.
Pole Position
Some mad competition always happens once you strap yourself into your virtual F1 car during Pole Position. It doesn’t encourage multi-player, which could have been the game even more interesting and engaging, but rising against the machines is enough to make you drive as wild as you can.
Time Crisis
One of the biggest differences between Time Crisis circa 1990s and today is the foot pedal. You have to step on it to reload your ammo or be killed. With our mobile devices, you can ditch away with that and play the more portable game anytime, anywhere.
Zork
Zork is kind of like Temple Run, since you also have to acquire treasures. The only difference is that Zork has more dynamism or character as a game. This is because you have to go through various mazes and meet a lot of challenges before you can be officially called the Dungeon Master.
Mystery in the House
Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys were a rave back then, but they were never really translated to virtual entertainment. Mystery in the House therefore became their computer equivalent. If you like to play CSI, this is the game for you.
Flight of the Amazon Queen
No other game screams Indiana Jones than this one. Imagine, your plane crashes, you’re trapped in an Amazon jungle, and you have to save many voluptuous women. Doesn’t that tell you a lot of the adventure that’s waiting for you?
Flashback
Aliens as government officials, lost memory, and 2142—what could get crazier than that? It’s like straight from a Ridley Scott or Steven Spielberg movie.
We definitely love the retro games. They’re more than just about going old school. Playing these games today brings us back to a time when things could have been more fun, and worries were not yet abundant. These are great times with friends and crushes, overflowing arcade centers, and demand for your arcade right at our own home.
Want to add something in our list? Tell us today!
About Aurora Freegard
