FatYoshi’s Top 10 Retro Games

Sometimes you overhear kids at your local EB Games mention how old school Final Fantasy VII is. All I can do is silently chuckle in my head. Gamers that grew up in the 1990s and 2000s are certainly a different breed than those who spent countless quarters on Pac-Man. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing my games in high definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound but there’s a certain appeal for the games of old that younger gamers may never appreciate or understand. Luckily, with WiiWare, PlayStation Store, Xbox Live and the newly launched DSWare, there’s plenty of opportunities for older gamer to relive their childhood. And for the younger gamers who are curious enough to venture into finding out why their parents love their retro games, there is a treasure trove of gems to be had!

This top 10 list works with #1 being my favorite retro game of all time. “Retro” in this list is limited to the SNES generation and older.

(1) Secret of Mana (SNES)

In my books, this game is one of the best for co-op play. Before the advent of online FPS fragfests or the introduction of the N64 console, multiplayer was mostly limited to two persons sitting side by side on the sofa. Secret of Mana took advantage of the SNES Multitap allowing 3 people to play this terrific action RPG. While the story in SoM isn’t ground shattering, the gameplay was one of the best in its generation. Many fond memories of my sisters and I completing this game.

(2) Chrono Trigger (SNES)

Featuring over 10 different endings, memorable characters, a compelling storyline and fantastic gameplay, this game has it all. Not to mention a soundtrack of which I still listen to on occasion when I am feeling nostalgic. The game takes place in different eras where the characters will go back as far as the prehistoric and forward to a future akin to I, Robot. The combat system uses the innovative Active Time Battle system which found its roots in Final Fantasy IV. Magic and special techniques are handled through a system called “Tech”. Later in the game, double and triple techs can be linked to created visually stunning and powerful attacks. Which reminds me, I still need to pickup this game on the DS.

(3) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)

A graphical monster of its time, LttP truly showed what the SNES hardware was capable of. This was the first Zelda game I ever played so it has a special place in my heart along side Ocarina of Time. The Light and Dark worlds allowed for some interesting gameplay elements where the player can only progress by accomplishing “mirror” objectives. As with all Zeldas, this game features tricky puzzles and epic boss battles.

(4) Final Fantasy IV (SNES)

The first 16-bit Final Fantasy also happens to be my first Final Fantasy I ever played and completed. An engaging storyline with lovable characters that drive the plot, this game had no troubles making a lasting impression on me. FF IV features a revamped battle system called Active Time Battle (ATB) that other games in the franchise will later use. For those who abhor the 2D pixels, do yourself a favor and pick up the 3D remake on the DS.

(5) Final Fantasy VI (SNES)

With SquareSoft learning and unlocking the potential of the SNES hardware a few years after FF IV, FF VI is one of the prettiest RPGs in the 16-bit era. The graphics isn’t the only thing that was improved. The combat, while still turn-based adds unique skills and attacks for each character. For example, with Sabin, you can input a combo via the gamepad to pull of special moves. The plot and storyline is fantastic with an excellent musical score that exceeds FF IV in my opinion. Here’s hoping Square-Enix will treat FF VI to the same 3D remake. Who else would like to see a fully re-orchestrated opera scene? Definitely me.

(6) Super Mario World (SNES)

The game that premiered the next generation of 2D graphics also introduced new gameplay elements such as Yoshi mounts, the ability to throw objects up and set them down, the spin attack, the ability to retain power up items and check points. Definitely a far cry from the first game where Mario can only run and jump. Super Mario World is especially special for me in that it was the first SNES game I finished. I later replayed the game and managed to complete the Star Road and Special Zone which is some of the most frustratingly difficult platforming I ever done.

(7) Super Mario 3 (NES)

Super Mario 3 is a perfect example of how well programmers learned the NES hardware. A fantastic game to bid farewell to the NES in North America as gamers were getting ready to play Super Mario World on the SNES the following year. New to the series is an overworld navigation map and the ability to obtain animal costumes giving abilities such flight. I remember borrowing this game from a childhood friend and kept the game for a year before returning it to her. Sorry Sandi, the game was just too damn good!

(8) Snow Bros. (NES)

Snow Bros. is a niche title that had its start at the arcades. Later, when I found out the game was being ported to the NES, I was ecstatic. That said, the gameplay is not new. In fact, I would dare say it’s almost a ripoff of Bubble Bobble. Instead of trapping enemies with bubbles, enemies would be trapped in a ball of snow. Elements such as walk speed, weapon damage and weapon range increases are identical to Bubble Bobble. However, the main difference is the boss battle you would face at the end of each zone versus the one boss battle at the end of Bubble Bobble. Having those epic boss battles made the game more epic and challenging in my opinion. As I sit here typing this paragraph, I’m feel a twinge of regret for selling off this title. Here’s hoping this game will make a come back as a downloadable title one day.

(9) Super Mario Bros. (NES)

The game that started it all for Nintendo. Bundled along with Duck Hunt, I was never able to finish this game as a child. But like most kids, I was completely enthralled with the game and spent hundreds of hours repeating the same stages over and over in the quest to rescue Princess Toadstool. The visuals and sound may not have aged well but the gameplay continues to live on in the hundreds of platformers now available. I did finish the game many years late in my adulthood when the game was reintroduced as Super Mario Bros. Deluxe on the Game Boy Color.

(10) Contra (NES)

Contra was bloody hard. Even with the 30 lives code (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A – the infamous Konami code) I had troubles progressing in the game. But I practiced and learned. Over and over. It got to the point where I played this game so much that I was able to complete the game with one life. So I can definitely attest to the fact that anyone with way too much time on their hands can master anything! What made the game cool was the availabe weapon powerups. The Spread weapon was my favorite. As with Super Mario 3, Contra was a borrowed game from a friend and although we have lost contact many years ago, I would like to apologize to David for taking so long to return the game!

Have your own top 10 list? Agree or disagree with FatYoshi’s list? Leave a comment below or in the forum!