Retro Games

Games that have a purpose of pushing technology are always in a precarious position. On one hand, if the game succeeds, then it stands a chance of being a trendsetter in the advancements it introduces to the industry as a whole. On the other hand, if it failed, it stands a chance of ruining the technology and deterring others from trying their hand at an idea that may have just been poorly execute

Across history, there is arguably nothing that builds a great product like competition to be the best. This is especially true of the video game industry, where companies like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and others have battled it out across decades to decide who gets to control the living room...

It was today in 1986 that players were given their first ride in the Power Suit and journeyed into the depths of Zebes, all unknowing behind the visor of one of the strongest women in video games.

There have been a lot of weird games in video game history. The 1990s in particular during the heights of the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis were a Wild West of odd and over-the-type titles like your Earthworm Jims, Clayfighters and Boogermans. Did folks know they wanted a game where you play as a dolphin traversing the sea and fighting against extraterrestrials? Absolutely not, but they would have been remiss to not at least try it when it was offered in the form of Ecco the Dolphin. This bizarre title initially hit shelves today in 1992.

The original Hang-On arcade was one such game that brought new attention to the motion control concept and made the idea exciting again back in 1985.

When Donkey Kong came out worldwide, everything started to change not just for Nintendo, but for the industry as a whole.

Arkanoid was more than just a clone. It brought its own world of inspiration to the table and invited arcade goers and consoles around the world into a whole new era of Pong-based single-player action. Today, we celebrate the release of the original Arkanoid arcade machines back in 1986.

Today we’re talking about the beat’em-up that energized beat’em-ups and practically made the term commonplace in the industry. It is, after all, in this month that the original Double Dragon hit arcades.

Believe it or not, I'm on my third copy of Sonic Shuffle. It’s a game I've played so much that the discs show their wear, back when review scores didn't influence purchases as persuasively as rentals and when game reception wasn't trapped in bubbles enforced by online commentary. When I later discovered that this game I loved got hammered with criticism, I was puzzled by negativity I felt was unwarranted. Some insist Sonic Shuffle is a Mario Party rip-off, unoriginal and dominated by fault-ridden gameplay. I see things differently.

Sure Sonic has had some rough times, but there’s no denying the genuine charm of the character and the franchise when it is in proper form. That’s is, after all, why we still care if a new Sonic game is good or bad isn’t it? Today is the day it all started back in 1991. It was today that the original Sonic the Hedgehog hit shelves.