We have seen plenty – and we mean plenty – of remasters and remakes in recent years, especially in the world of video games. Though there is merit in giving new life to something we cherished during our childhood, we have to admit that they are mostly capitalising on people’s nostalgia. Think of it: They wouldn’t remake a game they knew no one would buy.
If you agree with us, then we would like to assure you that we are doing the exact same thing (sorry, not sorry). But, revisiting a part of our childhood is something that a remake can’t compare with; sure, you may notice it has aged poorly, but in that process, it has gained a new charm that adult you may appreciate. With that out of the way, here are five nostalgic games we believe will send you straight back to your childhood.
SimCity
Before we made digital versions of ourselves that we could live vicariously through, we first had to contend with the hurdle of building a sustainable city. SimCity is, as the name suggests, a city builder, and the one we are most familiar with. It often takes itself seriously as you have to balance everyone’s needs and wants, but the humour and wacky scenarios that the Sim franchise is known for are not lost. Even though the simpler Sims game has taken the spotlight from its predecessor, this game has received different versions, proving that the love for the original game concept still exists.
Donkey Kong Country
When we talk about platforming games, the first thing that comes to mind is Mario, a thought that is justified as it is considered to be the big daddy of the genre, but we’d like to go against the grain and say Donkey Kong Country is far superior. This 2D platformer boasted 3D graphics that were stunning at the time of release but still hold up even today. It also had tight controls that rewarded precision but weren’t too punishing for slight errors, making it enjoyable for people of all skill levels.
And the music – holy sh*t, it’s incredible. The people who made the music were absolute geniuses who could make amazing tunes with monkey and gorilla grunts alone. And if that song had a bass line, it would reach a whole different level. If the music can send you back to your childhood, what more can the actual gameplay do? Keep in mind that this trend of intense platforming and solid soundtracks is consistent for first 3 games – from the 90s.
Spider-Man (2000)
Remember back in the day when a big franchise released a movie and it always came with a video game tie-in? Most of them fall flat on their faces, but the 2000s Spider-Man game was simply built differently. Before the incredible recreation by Insomniac Games, it had to live up to the hype and immersive gameplay that this version had to offer; the 2000 version of the game served as the foundation for all Spider-Man games to come.
It had an impressive story and tons of iconic characters and cameos. It was one of the first superhero games that nailed how a superhero game should play, and even though it has been two decades, other video game developers proved that they couldn’t catch lightning in a bottle the same way this game did.
Counter-Strike
Many of us remember how we got into the genre of competitive shooters in the first place, and how many of us are still in it today. Counter-Strike was the game that many of us cut classes for just to get one more game in. The somewhat simplistic idea of point and shoot, mixed with the intense action, is what got us hooked – a game that was easy to learn but hard to master.
And as we approach the much-awaited sequel to this old gem, many of us are going back to the place where it all started (see: the map known as Dust 2). Even though this game is almost 25 years old, people still have fond memories of it, and it has a dedicated fan base.
Insaniquarium
Don’t let the cutesy appearance fool you; this game means business. Before Neopets and the like, there was this beast. For those who are unfamiliar with the game, you take care of an aquarium full of fish and make sure they eat well to remain healthy. They drop coins so you can purchase upgrades and more fish in order to progress through the level, and that’s mainly the gameplay. Also, you have to kill aliens that teleport into your tank to eat your fish. The game’s simple and addictive gameplay was the reason it made it on this list.
