Toki

Toki

Toki is a great looking update of a classic arcade game, but despite the visual gloss and re-orchestrated soundtrack, it is still as tough as nails. This is not a game for players who demand infinite lives and saves, but fans of the original will get a kick out of this high definition version. Although it is a very short game, it is going to take a while for players to complete it, especially on the higher difficulties.

Gameplay: Tough as nails, but also a lot of fun.

Graphics: The updated visuals look great, but remain true to the original.

Sound: Features some lovely re-orchestrated music as well as the original tunes

Why Is Retro Gaming More Popular Than Ever?

Why Is Retro Gaming More Popular Than Ever?

The gaming industry has evolved at a rapid rate throughout its 70-year history. However, the progressions have occurred at hyper-speeds since the turn of the century. Despite this, a growing number of gamers are turning their hands to games of yesteryear. The popularity of retro gaming has never been greater

Take My Money: 3 Retro Games All Nerds Love!

Take My Money: 3 Retro Games All Nerds Love!

Gaming has always been a popular pastime for the nerd community. Dare I say it, we popularized gaming! All those years spent on retro gaming machines while other kids played different games, constantly being called nerds. Who’d have thought that in 30 or 40 years’ time, video games would be seen as cool?!

Superhero League of Hoboken

Superhero League of Hoboken

Superhero League of Hoboken is a really bizarre and off the wall game, but that’s what made it so entertaining and refreshing back when it was first released. It features challenging battles and plenty of neat puzzles, which still makes it worth playing in this day and age. Some elements of the game have aged better than others, but if you missed out the first time round then you’ll still find plenty of entertainment here. Just keep in mind that the game is a couple of decades old at this point.

Gameplay: Very fun to play and quite unique for its time.

Graphics: Obviously very dated now, but still has plenty of neat elements.

Sound: Once again not bad for its time

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon could easily have ended up as a promotional novelty to tide players over until the release of Ritual of the Night, but thankfully this is not the case. Instead, Inti Creates has crafted a compelling and enjoyable title featuring everything that made the 8-bit Castlevania titles so great. It does veer dangerously close to the Castlevania license at times, but considering how Konami is doing nothing with the series, fans certainly won’t mind.

Gameplay: As close as you can get to the 8-bit Castlevania titles.

Graphics: Captures the 8-bit style perfectly.

Sound: Great, but not quite as memorable as the classic Castlevania tunes

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED]

The Eternal Castle [REMASTERED]

The Eternal Castle [Remastered] definitely looks the part of a game from an era where CGA visuals were the norm, but don’t be fooled into thinking that it is a dusty retro title. Instead, it is a fast-paced and challenging adventure that uses the limited color palette in ways real games from that era could only dream of. The animations are also top-notch, and so is the soundtrack, but the controls can be very challenging if you are not used to this type of game. Overall, it’s a great game if you remember early PC platformers with fondness, but modern players will also enjoy it if they can learn to appreciate the visual style.

Gameplay: Although short, the game is a lot of fun despite some occasionally frustrating bits.

Graphics: The art style looks very primitive in screenshots but has to be seen in action to appreciate the detail and animations.

Sound: The synth soundtrack is incredible

THE VIDEOKID

THE VIDEOKID

THE VIDEOKID is an addictive and nostalgic homage to the eighties in general and Paperboy in particular. It is a lot more chaotic than Paperboy, though, and you will need quick reflexes if you want to make it to the end of your pirate video tape delivering run. It is a pity that the game only features a single level, but the randomized elements along with the huge amount of pop culture references keeps things entertaining. These cameos can become rather distracting, but that’s all part of the challenge. Considering the low price tag on THE VIDEOKID, there’s no reason not to add it to your collection.

Gameplay: Skate around a wacky eighties neighborhood while delivering pirated VHS tapes.

Graphics: The voxel art style looks great and allowed the developers to insert plenty of pop culture character cameos.

Sound: The soundtrack is nice and so is the sound effects, but things can become a little chaotic

Lode Runner Legacy

Lode Runner Legacy

Lode Runner Legacy takes the addictive gameplay of the classic title and spruces it up with some brand new Voxel visuals. In addition to the 150 original levels, the game also includes brand new adventure as well as puzzle levels along with leaderboards. Best of all, Lode Runner Legacy features editors for creating everything from your own levels to custom characters, enemies and items. Fans expecting the newer features that were introduced in later Lode Runner titles might find the game a little too simple for their taste, but everyone who loved the original are in for a treat.

Gameplay: Adventure, Puzzle and Classic game modes along with leaderboards and editors to get creative with.

Graphics: The Voxel visuals are a perfect match for the game.

Sound: Nothing spectacular, but not too obtrusive either

Lode Runner Legacy (Tozai Games, Inc.)

Lode Runner Legacy (Tozai Games, Inc.)

From Donkey Kong and Dig Dug to Gauntlet and Gradius, the 1980s were a golden era for classic video-game franchises. One of these franchises is Lode Runner, which was first released for the Apple II in 1983 and quickly moved on to other platforms. Its action-packed, yet puzzle-oriented gameplay made it an instant hit and even people like Alexey Pajitnov counted it amongst their favorite puzzle titles. Although there hasn’t been a shortage of new releases over the years, the last appearance of Lode Runner was back in 2012 on Android and iOS. Thankfully, this is about to change with the upcoming release of Lode Runner Legacy for PC

Retro Atari Classics

Retro Atari Classics

Not a bad bunch of titles, but the “remixed” visuals is a joke and the touch-screen controls are not not all they could have been. If you are a retro fan, chances are you’ll have most of these titles already so all in all this is a compilation that can be safely ignored.

Gameplay: Some games are more fun than others, but overall the quality is a bit rough.

Graphics: Whoever thought that getting graffiti artists to do the “remixed” graphics made a terrible mistake.

Sound: Faithful to the originals at least