As the technology of the world continues to progress, so do the video games we play. From MMORPGs to motion detection controllers, video game technology has provided us with greater experiences. Even after games are made, the maker can easily communicate with the players through mediums, such as the internet, and create game updates to ensure an ever progressing experience. Technology has improved the way we play games (graphics, wireless controllers, etc.) and who we play them with (more controller sockets, internet based games); however, I personally feel today’s society has forgotten the games of our youth, games which can provide as much fun as modern games (WOW, Call of Duty, Gears of War) without hindering one’s social life. I Realize that those games don’t “last” as long as today’s technologically improved works of art, but the large plurality of those games in existence provided an infinite amount of strong doses filled with nothing else but pure fun. So, if I were you right now, I would close that computer screen, put down that wireless remote, call a friend over, and play some Mario Kart for old times sake.

First of all, I will try to enlighten you with my constantly dimming knowledge of prehistoric gaming. Depending on your age, you might have been fortunate enough to stumble upon an Atari gaming system. With just a joystick and a button, this device brought a good amount of fun back in the day. Because, I have not touched one of these systems in quite some time, I will talk about two games I remember in fairly good detail. Pong was a game that hit the big screen first, requiring just a joystick, this game made a huge impact. A relatively simple game, Pong has endured through history. Both iPods and Blackberries carry mimicked versions of the original pong. Although I personally hated Pong, its impact on the gaming world has earned it a place in my article. Track and Field, however, was a game which I sincerely loved. I could never forgetting all the various Olympic style events which were depicted in this game, such as the javelin through, the long jump, triple jump, 100 yard dash, and the hurdles. This was probably one of the first games to garner the gaming aspect of the High Score. Therefore, it was a game which created competition between friends. Everyone wanted to have their initials at the top of the world record scoreboard, and even when you lose, there was always something comical to brighten your feelings. For example, when you overthrew the javelin, it would bring down an alien spaceship. In conclusion, even an Atari can provide you with some fun and competition between friends.

Next up on my list, is the beloved Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). This system was a direct predecessor of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Just to be clear on which system I will be discussing, the picture of the SNES can be seen above. Anyway, I will talk about the only two games from this system which I can remember in clear detail: Street Fighters and Super Mario World. Since I have lost my own Super Nintendo, I cannot remember which exact version of Street Fighters I had. So for the sake of convenience, I will refer to the game as just Street Fighters. From what I can remember from my youth, this game was one of the first sophisticated fighting games. As opposed to the gaming aspect of bosses, this game was based on beating equally sized fighters in order to become the ultimate fighter in the Street Fighters world. Just like Track and Field this game had some funny aspects. For example, the “Haedokans” which came with attacks or when Mr. Bison jumps on other fighters’ heads. In the end, the Street Fighters series paved the way for future fighting games. Next on my list was the first Mario game I have ever played: Super Mario World. Although I lost this game when I lost my Super Nintendo, I still have the Gameboy Advanced version of the game, which is practically the same. If you’re a fan of Mario games, I highly recommend the Gameboy version. In my opinion, this was the first modern Mario game. For me, the older Mario games were fun but too simplistic; this Mario game definitely added color to the series with new features like the different yoshies and the ability to fly. Jam packed with diverse levels, bosses, and secrets, this game is sure to provide a great gaming experience. On a final note, the Super Nintendo system was and still is a fairly decent system with a plethora of great games which I failed to mention.

Finally, I will discuss the revolutionary Nintendo 64 and two of its revolutionary games: Super Mario 64 and Star Fox. I realize that there are several games, like Mario Kart, which were far greater than Star Fox, but those two games were two of my personal favorites, hence their existence in my article. First of all, I will talk about Star Fox, one of the best aerial fighting games ever made. Since I was young at the time, I probably bought Star Fox due to the enticing rumble pack that came with the game. Anyways, both the rumble pack and the game were a good buy. The rumble pack brought a new dimension to gaming: the ability to feel the game, and the game brought new dimensions to game plot with multiple paths in reaching the main boss Andros. Just like the Nintendo 64 logo, Super Mario Sixty Four was set in three dimensions, a first for the Mario series. This breakthrough in dimensions came with multiple jump and attack combos. These new features are also coupled with the freedom to choose different levels in different orders, allowing for non-linear game direction. All in all, I missed this game tremendously; I miss sliding down the course with the penguin, I miss jumping through pictures, I miss the endless staircase to get to one of the first Bowsers, and I miss too many things about this game to name. In conclusion, both Super Mario 64 and Star Fox gave and are still capable of giving a great gaming experience, even in comparison with the games with have today.

On a final note, all those games stated above were the games I found relatively great games for their time; so great that I can put down a Wii or Xbox 360 in replacement for one of the above. Now, I realize I missed multiple games and multiple systems worth mention (Donkey Kong, Sega, etc.); however, these were the few games I was fortunate to have bought and or played. The whole article is in reference to my personal favorites through time. I know whether you disagree with the article or not, you have some old games in mind that you could play today. Please feel free to add to my list of good old games with a comment, but do not just list games that sold big; give me some games that you had a connection with. For example, would you put Soulja Boi on a list of good rap artists in history? Just like Soulja Boi’s success, I bet the gaming world is filled with crappy games that just got lucky. So in conclusion, feel free to criticize my games or the games listed by others, but also give us your own favorites.