Five influential video games that stood the test of time
Gamers might arguably be living a golden age. From true-to-life graphics to ever-so-engaging storytelling, many recent entries have elevated video games to art. Whether on PC or next-gen consoles, the gaming medium has come a long way. But the glorious state of affairs that gamers are currently enjoying would never have come to be without pioneers paving the way. And while inspiring countless successors, many such games have barely aged a day. So, which video games left the most enduring mark on the industry? We’ve picked five game changers to delve into or revisit.
Credit: Enrique Vidal Flores- Unsplash
Super Mario Bros (1985)
Few games, if any, can sit at Super Mario Bros’ table and claim they’ve changed the industry in such a profound way. Released for the Famicom in Japan, the first entry in the Super Mario series almost single-handedly ended the arcade supremacy to push home consoles into the mainstream.
With its goofy yet lovable characters, intuitive controls, and unparalleled playability, Super Mario Bros would influence virtually every game designer that followed. This classic Nintendo platformer also spearheaded the most popular and best-selling franchise in the history of gaming. And Mario has long become a pop culture icon more recognizable than Mickey Mouse himself.
The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Metroid Prime. All these timeless gems share a common creator. Hence, it is no wonder why Shigeru Miyamoto is widely considered the most influential game director of all time. But Miyamoto also brought to the world the one game that laid the foundations of the adventure genre.
Departing from standard RPGs, The Legend of Zelda introduced real-time combat in a massive nonlinear world full of mysterious dungeons. More momentous, perhaps, the game pioneered a save function that would become a staple of gaming down the line. And while many subsequent installments like Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild have taken the series to the next level, the original Zelda remains a strong retro title to revisit.
GoldenEye 007 (1997)
First-person shooters have proven a prolific genre as of late. But in more ways than one, GoldenEye 007 walked so modern FPS titles could fly. Developed in the wake of the eponymous James Bond flick, GoldenEye 007 was supposed to be a straightforward shooter akin to Virtua Cop.
Yet this Nintendo 64 classic pioneered features that would revolutionize the genre. A pinnacle of stealth gameplay, the game popularized headshots from a distance and unlockable multiplayer characters. The first multiplayer entry on Nintendo’s iconic 90s home console also set the golden standard for capable computer AI. GoldenEye 007 is still universally praised as one of the most memorable games ever. All the more reasons to dust off that vintage N64 cartridge, thus, or get your hands on a PS3 or Nintendo DS port.
Tetris (1984)
520 million. That’s how many Tetris units have been sold physically and digitally across the globe, according to The Tetris Company. Developed by Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov, this timeless puzzler enticed multiple generations with its simple yet addictive gameplay.
The most ported video game in history, variations of this classic puzzle game have been made on over 65 platforms while modern twists are still being released. And even the iGaming industry has put a spin on the formula with online casinos like VegasSlotsOnline boasting several Tetris-themed slots. From Red7’s Tetris Extreme to WMS’s Tetris Super Jackpots, gamers can enjoy a range of innovative slots for free. All games are mobile-compatible for players to have fun on the go. Better yet, top online platforms include a range of classic table games like poker, Blackjack, and roulette.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2001)
Visual novels were an essentially Japanese passion until Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney rejuvenated the genre globally. When creator Shu Takumi pitched the idea of a crime mystery interactive novel, few believed in his vision.
Deemed too hand-holdy, if not downright out of fashion, point-and-click games were a declining breed. But Capcom still greenlighted this one-of-a-kind Gameboy Advance game following a rookie attorney defending his clients in court. Blending detective-like investigative phases and epic court sessions full of twists and turns, Ace Attorney struck a brilliant balance between linear storytelling and immersive gameplay. And the worldwide success of the game on Nintendo DS reignited the flame for the visual novel genre, inspiring top-selling series like Danganronpa and Zero Escape.