Though the gaming industry has come a long way since it first spawned, with video games constantly becoming more and more detailed, expansive, and beautiful, many gamers would argue that they just don’t make games like they used to.
If you’re experiencing a wave of nostalgia and are looking to play some of your favorite classic video games again, then you’ve come to the right place. Let's look at some of the best classic games available online.
- Oregon Trail
- The Ultimate Doom
- Wolfenstein 3D
- Worms
- Kirby’s Adventure
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Bomberman
- Tetris
- Sonic the Hedgehog
Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail is one of the most successful educational video games in the world, and it blazed a path for the use of video games as a learning tool.
It was a favorite of many people growing up, and it also happens to be one of the most comedic games out there.
At the start of each game of Oregon Trail, you must stock up on provisions. Then, while traveling, you make decisions on when to rest, how much food to eat, and so on.
The game incorporates elements of simulation and requires you to carefully plan ahead.
Core Gameplay
Several landmarks are found along the trail, where players can make decisions, stop to rest, or shop for supplies.
Throughout Oregon Trail, members of the party might injure themselves or fall ill, leading to messages like the one above.
You can play Oregon Trail on Play Classic.
The Ultimate Doom
Released in 1995, The Ultimate Doom refined the elements of the deathmatch and added a new episode of content to the original game.
It was a full copy of the original Doom, with an added fourth episode called Thy Flesh Consumed, as well as nine more levels.
Demons from hell have overrun the planet, and in Doom, you play as the brave space marine who must defeat them and send them back from whence they came!
Now, if you’ve ever played a Doom game before, then you know how much fun it is to rip and tear through hordes of demons.
Thy Flesh Consumed
With Thy Flesh Consumed, new art was implemented, giving the game a fresh new look and feel, though the core gameplay of shooting and killing was still at the heart of the game.
The game also extended the single and multiplayer experience, providing players with more hours of fun.
You can play The Ultimate Doom on Play Classic.
Wolfenstein 3D
Wolfenstein 3D is a first-person shooter that was released on May 5, 1992, for MS-DOS. It’s an epic FPS and the follow-up to the infiltration game called Castle Wolfenstein.
The player walks in the shoes of B.J. Blazkowicz, a spy for the Allies, and the game features six episodes. Each episode features nine levels, with the first eight levels being regular.
The ninth is the final boss level. There is also a secret level that is activated by a hidden switch that can be found somewhere in the first eight levels.
Regular levels are maze-like, or they are large areas with plenty of enemies to shoot down.
The Objective
The goal for the player is to reach the exit elevator, and to do so, they must kill the enemies.
Depending on the level, there are also ‘push walls’ to activate, as well as silver and golden keys that must be found to open up certain doors.
You can play Wolfenstein 3D on Play Classic.
Worms
Worms is one of the most popular turn-based strategy games out there, and it was released in 1995.
It features up to four teams of four worms, and each team’s goal is to destroy the others while battling on a generated terrain.
Each worm has 100 hit points and dies when it is reduced to 0 hit points. The gameplay in Worms is turn-based. Every turn, a player can control one worm from their team.
The worm is able to crawl right or left, or they can jump, but there is a time limit. If a move is not made within that time limit, the turn is forfeited.
Turn-Based Fun
Additionally, if the worm falls from a high elevation, they will lose health, and their turn is ended. If the worm falls offscreen or into the water, it dies.
Every worm can make one attack each turn, using one of the weapons in their arsenal, and they can aim up or down, then fire the weapon.
You can play Worms on Play Classic.
Kirby’s Adventure
In Kirby’s Adventure, the player needs to help Kirby navigate through several strangely familiar worlds.
You’ll need to survive the onslaught of enemies and use the Warp Start to make their way to another adventure in one of the seven worlds.
Most folks will remember pouncing, jumping, running, and flying through the fantastical world of Kirby’s Adventure, defeating weird and crazy enemies.
This is all while using reflexes to take out the big bosses before time ran out. The game was originally available for the Nintendo NES, but it can now be played online.
Cute, But Challenging
While Kirby’s Adventure is quite a cutesy game, that doesn’t mean it’s not challenging.
Some of the levels are notoriously difficult to get past, but the reward of finally beating the boss and making it to the Warp Star was a feeling unlike any other.
You can play Kirby's Adventure on Play Retro Games.
Donkey Kong
In Donkey Kong, you are responsible for helping a certain red-hatted Italian plumber avoid big barrels that a massive gorilla can’t stop throwing at him.
The goal is to make it to the top of each level safely, but that’s certainly easier said than done.
You will need to keep your eye on Donkey Kong. He’s one tricky monkey, and he won’t hesitate to throw a variety of different barrels at you.
You’ll need to jump, run, and dodge to make it through each level unscathed.
A Game Like No Other
Donkey Kong was unlike any other Mario game out there. It featured unique and interesting gameplay that kept players entertained for hours on end.
It’s sure to keep you busy as you try to make it past each level without being crushed by barrels.
You can play Donkey Kong on Play Retro Games.
Pac-Man
Of course, we couldn’t compile a list of classic video games without including perhaps the most recognized arcade game on the planet.
In Pac-Man, you play as a tiny yellow shape that has an insatiable hunger for white dots, as well as a rivalry with some colorful ghosts.
Immerse yourself in the remake of this classic title, and take Pac-man on yet another crazy journey to eat all of the tantalizing treats.
You also need to avoid those pesky ghosts that can’t seem to leave him alone. Pac-Man is a true test of your strategy and reflexes.
High Scores
If you’re looking for a game to try and get a high score in, then Pac-Man is the perfect choice.
Gameplay is simple and easy to master, and the game itself will provide you with hours upon hours of mindless, relaxing fun. There are also plenty of iterations for you to try out.
You can play Pac-Man on Play Retro Games.
Bomberman
Bomberman is a maze-based, arcade-style video game that was originally released in 1983.
The game spawned a long-running series of games with plenty of iterations and installments that build upon the core gameplay that the original Bomberman introduced.
Iit quickly became one of the most played games of all time.Bomberman’s titular protagonist is a robot that has to find his way through a maze while staying away from various enemies.
Doors that lead to further maze rooms can be found beneath rocks that need to be destroyed with bombs. Bombs can also be used to damage and destroy enemies.
Keep Going
There are several items that Bomberman can use to improve his bombs, like the Fire ability, which increases his bomb blast radius.
When he reaches the surface, Bomberman will become human, but it’s going to take you 50 levels to get there, so prepare yourself for hours of explosive entertainment.
You can play Bomberman on Retro Games.
Tetris
We couldn’t possibly leave Tetris off of this list. At one point, it was the most played game in the world, and it’s clear to see why.
The gameplay is extremely simple but highly addictive, and the music is so catchy that it still worms its way into our heads today.
In Tetris, the goal is to complete lines by manipulating puzzle pieces of varying shapes, called tetrominoes, which are lowered onto the playing field.
Lines that are completed disappear, and the player is rewarded with points while also being able to fill the empty spaces left behind.
Matching & Matching
The game ends when the playing field becomes entirely filled by tetrominoes. The longer the player can delay this inevitable outcome, the more points earned.
In multiplayer games, the goal is to outlast the player’s opponent. It’s easy to see how people got lost for hours playing Tetris.
You can play Tetris on Retro Games.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Last but certainly not least, we have the most beloved blue hedgehog in the world - Sonic the Hedgehog.
This game was initially released in 1991, and it is the first installment in what would go on to be an extremely expansive series.
Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2D side-scrolling platformer, with gameplay focused on the titular character’s ability to run extremely quickly.
Levels include slopes, springs, loop-the-loops, and high falls, taking advantage of the fast movement to send the player flying around the levels.
Core Gameplay
The levels are filled with robotic enemies that Dr. Robotnik has trapped animals inside of.
You can free these animals by destroying the robots, but this is not a requirement. You do, however, have to avoid running into spiked walls and falling into bottomless pits!
You can play Sonic the Hedgehog on Retro Games.
Summary
If you’re looking to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of your favorite classic video games, then be sure to check out the ones mentioned in this article.
There’s nothing like feeling like a child again.
