The best video game of each of the last 4 decades


There were several video games that we grew up playing, and depending on your age you will have a different favorite from that time. We all have games that we put hundreds if not thousands of hours into, and when we look back on them, we only have fond memories even if it makes feel a little old now.

Super Mario Bros. – The ‘80s

The year was 1985 and Nintendo was one of the most successful games of that decade. Released on the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) it soon became a favorite of thousands of gamers. It is often considered to be one of the best games in history thanks to its precise control system and challenging yet accessible gameplay. While the gameplay still holds up now, if you play this game you will be reminded just how far video games have come. This simple platform game will make you feel old as you hear the old school theme tune while running through the 2D pixelated world, smashing boxes as you go.

The best video game of each of the last 4 decades

Crash Bandicoot – The ‘90s

Crash Bandicoot was one of the first games to become a global success on the very first version of Sony’s PlayStation console. Crash could spin around like the cartoon Tasmanian Devil, flinging stuff out of his path as he makes his way through this crazy 3D world he lives in. It is the first in the popular Crash Bandicoot series as players will collect Wumpa Fruit with the help of the Aku Aku masks. It brought a new dynamism to platform gaming as players had the freedom to explore their world a little more than they had been used to before.

Grand Theft Auto III – The ‘00s

This game really launched the sandbox genre that so many people are now familiar with. Set in a living and breathing city, Grand Theft Auto (GTA) III became an instant classic. It allowed players the freedom to choose exactly how they played the game, they could ignore the main story for as long as they wanted. The game was released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, over 15 years ago, and the latest GTA’s in the series have come on in leaps and bounds. The latest in the series, GTA V, featured a vast world in comparison. It will make you feel old when you realize this game came out over 15 years ago, despite many of us remembering it like it was just yesterday.

The best video game of each of the last 4 decades

Rise of the Tomb Raider – The ‘10s

This game came out in 2015 for the Xbox One, and later in 2016 for the PlayStation 4. This reboot will make you feel old if you had the pleasure of playing the original Tomb Raider released in 1996. Gone are the pixelated graphics and clunky mechanics. Now the tombs really feel as though you are there, they are full of atmosphere and tension, while being visually stunning. The game really is a sign of how the industry has changed, with a shift in focus to making them full-scale adventures.

Not only do we play through a lot of exciting and dramatic events, but the cut-scenes are now of the quality you would expect to see in a Hollywood movie. Rise of the Tomb Raider won awards for its gameplay and storyline.

It is amazing how quickly the gaming community has evolved, many of the classic video games now feel dated as graphics and gameplay have become so advanced. Playing some of our old favorites feels as though we are taking a step back in time, even though we remember playing some of these classics like it was yesterday.

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