5 Nostalgic Video Games That Defined the '90s

Close-up of a Nintendo Switch showing Mario Kart selection screen, gaming atmosphere in the background.
Photo by Pixabay

The old 8-bit and 16-bit games may have been low on graphics, but they were certainly high on emotions. Every '90s kid has beautiful memories associated with these games.

Close-up of a Nintendo Switch showing Mario Kart selection screen, gaming atmosphere in the background.

Although today we have games with high graphics that make them look real, nothing can compare to the old-school charm.

The days when you would pack your brick game Tetris handhelds in your backpack and play them on the way to school or a road trip were a golden era. In the post below, we will walk on the path of nostalgia and discover the forgotten games that were once our best companions in the 90s and early 2000s.

  1. Super Mario

The list of nostalgic video games has to start with Super Mario. It was launched in 1985 and has been one of Nintendo's best games since then. You may fondly remember returning from school and sitting in front of your desktop or console to play Super Mario. This was a refreshing change for someone who has never played 3D video games.

The game starred Nintendo’s mascot, Mario, who was the central character in the Mario franchise. The franchise currently has over twenty games, with its latest release in 2023. The game is set in a mushroom kingdom where Mario is joined by his brother and other cast members. It involves jumping and running around different platforms and keeping Mario safe from various obstacles.

  1. The Brick Games

Kids from the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s grew up watching different TV shows and playing other games. One such game that individuals definitely have beautiful memories associated with is the classic handheld Tetris. It was a simple, battery-operated handheld device with a monochrome LCD screen and chunky buttons. Long before gaming consoles emerged in the market, all cool kids had this electronic device.

Although most of these devices were unbranded and you could only play classic games such as the “Brick Game” or “999 in 1,” their simplicity won the hearts of many kids. It is a cosy, feel-good game that makes you feel like a child.

  1. Guardian Heroes 

This 2D side-scrolling game was first launched in the 1990s. The best part was the storyline, which kept the players hooked. Based on their actions, players could choose multiple endings. Players could also decide where they would go and what they would do after every level, keeping them engaged throughout the game.

In addition to multiple story modes, it also had a  versus mode where up to six players could compete using one of the main characters. The players could also earn experience points and customise their characters based on six attributes.

  1. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Mario was a classic, but it lacked the thrill that every fast-paced gamer wants. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was the answer to this problem. Sonic had everything! It was bigger, faster, and harder. Sonic was just fantastic, and there is no other way to describe the game.

Video games can teach you life lessons, and Sonic is a prime example of this. The main character in the game jumps, runs, crouches, and is attacked by enemies, which is very similar to how life actually is. How one dodges these obstacles determines who wins in the end.

  1. Kirby’s Dream Land

This game had cute characters with the friendliest personalities. The game’s main character, Kirby, goes through a total of five levels. It is one of the classic 2D video games, where the different levels of the game consist of large rooms connected by doors. The game's goal is to defeat the boss and clear the particular level of the game, and if Kirby touches a harmful obstacle or enemy, he loses his health. The game is simple, but sometimes simplicity has a unique charm.

Conclusion

Although we have many high-graphic games today, there is something special about older video games. They had simple gameplay, which was also their USP. These games are associated with many fond memories, making them a cult favourite among millennials.