5 Throwback Games That Should Not Be Overlooked

Homage to the Past

          
        There is a new trend forming in the video game industry, lately, that involves developers creating new games with retro aesthetics. Instead of embracing the ultra-realistic, high-definition graphics that most games use these days, these games decide to revisit the look and feel of the 8-bit generation. The number of these games is growing, but here are five that stand out the most.

VVVVVV--3DS, PC

        Along with N+ and Super Meat Boy, Terry Cavanah's VVVVVV is also one of the forerunners of the "brutally difficult platformer" trend. This game brings Metroid-esque exploration and ridiculously challenging platforming and presents it with the charm and look of an old Commodore 64 game. It's a short game, but offers up plenty for those looking for a more nostalgic experience. 

 

Mutant Mudds--3DS

        Renegade Kid's Mutant Mudds is a charming platformer/shooter that involves the hero, Max, taking down evil, alien mud monsters. It combines the multi-leveled worlds and item collecting of the Super Mario series with the side-scrolling shooting of Mega Man, and is presented in a slightly silly, anime-inspired, pixelated world. The main draw of the game involves how the levels are designed to accommodate the 3DS's 3D effect by having Max jump between the background and the foreground.

Cave Story--Wii, 3DS/DSi, PC

        
        Released all the way back in 2004, Cave Story may be one of the first games created in this retro gaming revival. Developed single-handedly by Daisuke Amaya, this wonderful Metroid styled shooter incorporates everything that was great about the games of the NES days. It has perfect controls, a wide variety of weapons, and a surprisingly deep and dark story. The game was first released on PC and then made its way to WiiWare and DSiWare. The game was then remade for the 3DS using modern graphics, but it lost the original's charm in the process.

    

  
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game--Xbox 360, PS3

        Ubisoft's Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game is the video game adaptation of the Scott Pilgrim  graphic novel series created to help promote the film adaptation of said graphic novel series. Since the graphic novel and the film are both homages to classic video game culture, it would only make sense for the game to be made in the form of a classic video game. The game is a four player brawler made in the style of River City Ransom or Double Dragon. It features many nods to other classic games like Super Mario, Kirby, and Mega Man. The game's art style was created by known pixel artist, Paul Robertson, and the music was given a modern twist by the chiptune punk band, Anamanaguchi. 

Fez--Xbox 360, PS3

        
        Although Polytron's Fez has some modern concepts and aesthetics incorporated, it is very much an old school game at its core. The space-bending mechanic and the use of perception to solve puzzles are relatively new concepts in video games, but the world, music, and difficulty of Fez is truly inspired by the early days. It doesn't hold players' hands like it's expected to by modern gamers, it just gives them a task to accomplish and only helps by giving very subtle clues. It may not have a true 8-bit world, either, but the square world of Fez is obviously taken from those early 8-bit games. Out of all of the games on this list it may be the game that uses nostalgia to its greatest potential.

  

Coming Soon
          
        Those are only five games that bring out the retro style of the NES era of video games. There are plenty more to discover created by small indie developers and by much larger studios. Some fantastic looking games with the retro vibe are going to be released in the near future. Be sure to watch for Mercenary Kings, (which can be helped funded on Kickstarter) Crystal Catacombs, and the ever-elusive Retro City Rampage. Until then, spend time playing the games mentioned in the list above. They are well worth the time.