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Classic Games: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How to Play Them

Video games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. They have evolved from simple pixelated graphics and bleeping sounds to immersive 3D worlds and realistic soundtracks. But while modern video games offer amazing experiences and possibilities, there is something special about classic games that still captivates many gamers.

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Classic games are video games that are based on older or obsolete systems, or that imitate the style and gameplay of such games. They are often referred to as retro games or old-school games. Classic games have a unique charm and appeal that stems from their nostalgia value, their innovation and originality, their simplicity and accessibility, and their social interaction potential.

There are many examples of classic games from different genres and platforms. Some of them are arcade classics like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Frogger, Galaga, Asteroids, Centipede, Pole Position, Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat, Tetris, Puzzle Bobble, Metal Slug, Dance Dance Revolution, Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, etc. Some are console classics like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, Castlevania, Metroid, Sonic the Hedgehog, Kirby, Pokemon, Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, EarthBound, Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Grand Theft Auto III, Halo: Combat Evolved, Super Mario Galaxy, etc. Some are computer classics like Adventure, Zork, The Oregon Trail, Lemmings, Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, Quake, Half-Life, Myst, The Sims, Diablo, StarCraft, Warcraft III, Baldur's Gate, Fallout, etc.

History of Classic Games

The history of classic games is a fascinating and diverse story that spans decades and continents. It is impossible to cover every detail and milestone in this article, but here are some of the most important events and trends that shaped the evolution of classic games.

The 1950s and 1960s: The Dawn of Video Games

The first video games were not created for entertainment, but for scientific and educational purposes. Computer scientists and engineers designed simple games and simulations on minicomputers and mainframes, such as tic-tac-toe, chess, checkers, tennis, lunar landing, missile defense, etc. These games were mostly played by researchers and students, and were not widely accessible to the public. Some of the earliest examples of video games are OXO (1952), Tennis for Two (1958), Spacewar! (1962), and The Oregon Trail (1969).

The 1970s and 1980s: The Golden Age of Arcade and Home Console Games

The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise and fall of the arcade and home console markets, as well as the emergence of some of the most iconic and influential games in history. The arcade industry boomed with the popularity of games like Pong (1972), Space Invaders (1978), Pac-Man (1980), Donkey Kong (1981), Frogger (1981), Galaga (1981), Centipede (1981), Pole Position (1982), Street Fighter II (1991), Mortal Kombat (1992), etc. These games attracted millions of players and generated billions of dollars in revenue.

The home console market also flourished with the introduction of systems like the Magnavox Odyssey (1972), Atari 2600 (1977), Intellivision (1979), ColecoVision (1982), Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) (1983), Sega Master System (1985), Sega Genesis (1988), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) (1990), etc. These systems allowed players to enjoy games at home, with better graphics, sound, and gameplay than the arcade counterparts. Some of the most famous console games are Super Mario Bros. (1985), The Legend of Zelda (1986), Mega Man (1987), Castlevania (1987), Metroid (1987), Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), Kirby's Dream Land (1992), Pokemon Red and Blue (1996), Final Fantasy VII (1997), Super Mario 64 (1996), The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998), Metal Gear Solid (1998), Resident Evil (1996), Grand Theft Auto III (2001), Halo: Combat Evolved (2001), Super Mario Galaxy (2007), etc.

The 1980s also witnessed the 1983 video game crash in the United States, which was caused by a number of factors, such as market saturation, low-quality games, competition from personal computers, and lack of consumer confidence. The crash nearly destroyed the American video game industry, and led to the rise of Japan as the dominant force in the global video game market.

The 1990s and 2000s: The Technological and Cultural Shifts in Video Games

The 1990s and 2000s marked a period of technological and cultural shifts in video games, such as the introduction of CD-ROMs, 3D graphics, online gaming, handheld devices, and retro-styled games. These changes brought new opportunities and challenges for the video game industry and the gamers. CD-ROMs enabled games to have more storage space, better sound quality, and cinematic cutscenes. Some of the first CD-ROM games were Myst (1993), The 7th Guest (1993), Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger (1994), etc. CD-ROMs also allowed games to have full voice acting, such as in Star Wars: Rebel Assault (1993), The Dig (1995), Grim Fandango (1998), etc. 3D graphics revolutionized the way games looked and played, creating more realistic and immersive environments and characters. Some of the pioneers of 3D graphics were Wolfenstein 3D (1992), Doom (1993), Quake (1996), Super Mario 64 (1996), Tomb Raider (1996), Half-Life (1998), etc. 3D graphics also enabled new genres and perspectives, such as first-person shooters, third-person shooters, stealth games, survival horror games, etc. Online gaming opened up new possibilities for multiplayer and social interaction, as well as new business models and distribution methods. Some of the early online games were MUDs (multi-user dungeons), MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games), and FPSs (first-person shooters). Some of the most popular online games are World of Warcraft (2004), Counter-Strike (2000), Halo 2 (2004), Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007), League of Legends (2009), Minecraft (2011), Fortnite (2017), etc. Handheld devices made video games more portable and accessible, allowing gamers to play anywhere and anytime. Some of the most successful handheld devices are Game Boy (1989), Game Boy Advance (2001), Nintendo DS (2004), PlayStation Portable (2004), Nintendo 3DS (2011), PlayStation Vita (2011), Nintendo Switch (2017), etc. Some of the most famous handheld games are Tetris (1989), Pokemon Red and Blue (1996), Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992), The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (1993), Pokemon Gold and Silver (1999), Advance Wars (2001), Mario Kart DS (2005), Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! (2005), Nintendogs (2005), Animal Crossing: Wild World (2005) etc. Retro-styled games emerged as a response to the increasing complexity and realism of modern video games, as well as a homage to the classic games of the past. Retro-styled games are games that mimic or pay tribute to older games in terms of graphics, sound, gameplay, or theme. Some of the most notable retro-styled games are Cave Story (2004), Braid (2008), Super Meat Boy (2010) Shovel Knight (2014) Stardew Valley (2016) Celeste (2018) etc.

Types of Classic Games

Classic games can be categorized into two main types: vintage retrogaming and modern retrogaming. These types reflect different ways of playing or creating classic games, depending on the preference and motivation of the gamer.

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Vintage Retrogaming

Vintage retrogaming is playing or collecting original hardware and media from older or obsolete systems. Vintage retrogamers are often motivated by nostalgia, curiosity, or appreciation for the history and culture of video games. Vintage retrogamers may also enjoy the challenge and novelty of pla