Many of us grew up with some kind of portable gaming system and have fond memories of friends huddled around us as we tried to beat that next level of Super Mario Bros or Donkey Kong. No need to resort to lingering memories any longer – the Nintendo Switch has resurrected some of these classic games so that all of us Nintendo owners can rekindle that excitement and childlike wonder. Let’s take a look at some of the retro games that are about to take up all of your free time.
- Super Mario 64 (1996)
This stylish classic takes us back. Before all the classic online games we know and love, this was the game to play. As the first Super Mario game to feature 3D gaming, the traditional Super Mario gameplay is combined with fun visuals and a new world to explore. The player (represented by the classic character, Mario) explores Mario’s world in the game and collects power stars. Gathering enough power stars grants the player entry into Princess Peach’s castle and unlocks the final level – a Bowser-Mario face-off. If you can get through this classic antagonist of the Mario franchise, Princess Peach is released from captivity, and you are the hero of your own story!
- Mario Kart 64 (1996)
The kart racing video game that stole our hearts, Mario Kart 64, is the second game in the series and was released for the Wii console (what a throwback, right?). This upgrade from the original included 3D computer graphics and the capability to host four players at a time. Players choose their kart racer from a list of eight classic Mario franchise characters and take on the kart track for 16 laps of bridges, walls, pits, and more. One of the greatest video games of all time, we know that you are just as excited as we are to grab a Nintendo Switch console and play a few rounds.
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
This Zelda classic is an action-adventure game that you could never put down. In the third game in The Legend of Zelda series, players play as Link and must save Hyrule, defeat the demon king Ganon, and rescue the descendants of the Seven Sages. With new weapons, like the Master Sword, and the inclusion of parallel worlds, this advanced game was a total upgrade and landmark game in Nintendo’s history. Get excited about this one, folks!
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992)
Follow Sonic the Hedgehog as he defeats enemies and fights bosses in an effort to stop Doctor Robotnik from stealing Chaos Emeralds, which are needed to power his space station. With faster gameplay, multiplayer capabilities, and a larger map to explore, players raved about these advancements when Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released. It is still one of the best in the business.
- Donkey Kong (1981)
When this classic arcade game entered our homes, the world changed for the better. Players are represented as the beloved character, Mario, as he overcomes all kinds of obstacles, from ladders to platforms on construction sites, to save Pauline from the giant gorilla Donkey Kong. This game was one of the highest-grossing games in the market when it came out, and we can see why. With its advanced plot, cutscenes, and multi-stage gameplay, players are sucked into the Donkey Kong world, and it’s hard to find your way out. It’s very exciting that this game has made a new appearance on the Nintendo Switch for us to enjoy once more.
- Super Mario Bros 3 (1988)
One of the greatest video games of all time, Super Mario Bros. 3 changed the game forever with its new additions and plot twists. In this game, players control the two Mario Brothers, Mario, and Luigi, who are on a quest to save Princess Toadstool and the rulers of the seven kingdoms from the ruling antagonist, Bowser. One of the new twists, however, is that the brothers can not only use stomping and magical items but flight and sliding down slopes as well. The game also introduced Bowser’s children (the Koopalings) and a world map for players to transition between levels. Adding this game to the Nintendo Switch platform was an exciting day for all retro gamers that enjoyed rescuing Princess Toadstool back in the O.G. days.
Make your way over to the Nintendo Switch Library and rediscover your favorite retro games (or try them out for the first time). Just ask any adult that indulged in a ’90s childhood, and they’ll tell you – these games are addicting!