Rygar 1986
Why it still holds upEven now, a one hit death and a single chained weapon make every jump and throw a commitment.
1980s games that still hold up
Games
Rygar 1986
Why it still holds upEven now, a one hit death and a single chained weapon make every jump and throw a commitment.
Pac-Man 1980
Why it still holds upA maze chase with four different pursuers still has plenty to figure out.
Alien Crush 1988
Why it still holds upTwo flippers on each screen, a choice of ball speed and secret tables to find are still all there is to learn.
Rampage 1986
Why it still holds upA city knocked down by up to three friends still makes for shared chaos today.
Psycho Fox 1989
Why it still holds upSwitching animals to fit each obstacle still gives a simple platformer variety today.
Tennis 1984
Why it still holds upA set of tennis against the computer or with a partner is easy to start today.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure 1989
Why it still holds upBecause there are several ways to finish it, a second run is still tempting today.
Populous 1989
Why it still holds upEach level is still a matter of changing the land, with powers that reshape the world and no units to order.
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders 1988
Why it still holds upIt is still an adventure played as a team, with the world's oddest places to send them.
Boulder Dash 1984
Why it still holds upEvery move loosens rocks and frees creatures, so a cave still changes while you work it out.
Spy Hunter 1983
Why it still holds upA spy car with a machine gun and a gearshift still has its place today.
Joust 1982
Why it still holds upOne button and one rule, the higher lance wins, are still quick to understand.
The Revenge of Shinobi 1989
Why it still holds upA somersault that is both jump and attack still keeps the action sharp today.
R-Type 1987
Why it still holds upEven now, a charged cannon and an orb you place yourself make each stage a puzzle of positioning.
Ghostbusters 1984
Why it still holds upRunning the business instead of starring in the film still gives it a flavor of its own.
Dragon's Lair 1983
Why it still holds upAnimation that you play by remembering every danger still runs today exactly as it did in 1983.
Super Hang-On 1987
Why it still holds upChoosing a continent, a song and a turbo burst is a quick way to start a ride, and that is still true today.
Batman: The Video Game 1989
Why it still holds upWall jumps and three weapons to choose from still make a stage worth planning today.
Missile Command 1980
Why it still holds upEvery shot is a choice about where to place a fireball with limited missiles, which gives each level a clear problem to solve even now.
Super Contra 1988
Why it still holds upCommitting to one gun is still rewarded, since you upgrade a weapon by taking the same pickup again.
Road Fighter 1984
Why it still holds upA clock and a fuel gauge raced at once still keep every drive busy today.
Pole Position 1982
Why it still holds upOne lap to qualify and one race against the clock still make the rules clear at a glance.
Commando 1985
Why it still holds upYou still have to think about where to stand, with a grenade that goes only one way.
Battle Chess 1988
Why it still holds upToday, a real chess game with a fight for every capture keeps the rules familiar and the board lively.
Donkey Kong Junior 1982
Why it still holds upDodging enemies from vine to vine still holds the attention.
Circus Charlie 1984
Why it still holds upEach act asks for one clear task, which makes it simple to pick up today.
Kid Icarus 1986
Why it still holds upThe mix of side scrolling, vertical and dungeon levels still varies what each world asks of you.
Ghosts 'n Goblins 1985
Why it still holds upA knight who loses his armor in two hits still keeps every fight tense.
Final Fantasy II 1988
Why it still holds upGrowing a character through the weapons and spells used, and opening talks with keywords, still gives you things to try.
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels 1986
Why it still holds upA harder run through eight worlds is still a challenge that draws players to it.
Double Dragon 1987
Why it still holds upGrabbing an enemy while a friend does the punching is still a teamwork move worth trying.
Golden Axe 1989
Why it still holds upMagic that clears the screen, fed by thieves you chase down, still makes it a brawl worth playing today.
Hudson's Adventure Island 1986
Why it still holds upRunning against health that keeps draining still makes every stage a race today.
Pitfall! 1982
Why it still holds upA jungle trek against the clock, with treasure scattered across it, is still a goal that is easy to grasp today.
Final Fantasy 1987
Why it still holds upA journey from town to dungeon that the rest of the series grew from is still worth seeing today.
Mega Man 1987
Why it still holds upChoosing your own order of stages is an idea that is still a good one today.
Galaga 1981
Why it still holds upEven now, rescuing a captured ship for double the firepower is a goal worth chasing.
OutRun 1986
Why it still holds upChoosing your own road at each fork is still a reason to take another drive.
Metal Gear 1987
Why it still holds upEven now, sneaking through a base unarmed still carries its tension.
Super Mario Bros. 2 1988
Why it still holds upChoosing a character with its own strengths gives each stage a second way to be played, even today.
Bomberman 1985
Why it still holds upSetting bombs in a maze is still a plan that rewards patience and timing.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World 1986
Why it still holds upIts 17 stages still alternate between scrolling and single screen play, with puzzles and bought vehicles in between.
Mario Bros. 1983
Why it still holds upEvery round fits on one screen and uses only running and jumping, so it is quick to learn today.
Super Mario Land 1989
Why it still holds upA Mario made for the Game Boy's small screen is still worth seeing.
Excitebike 1984
Why it still holds upAn engine that overheats still makes every boost a decision today.
Donkey Kong 1981
Why it still holds upMario's first appearance in a video game is still worth a visit, with the barrels waiting where they always were.
Duck Hunt 1984
Why it still holds upA light gun and a flying duck are still all it takes.
Metroid 1986
Why it still holds upA world that opens up as abilities are earned still draws players in.