Gaming has come a very long way since PONG was released in 1972. At that time, you only controlled a panel on a screen to bounce a ball to your opponent. Created by Nolan Bushnell and Al Alcorn, Pong was a simplified version of table tennis, where players used paddles to hit a square ball back and forth. Pong became the first commercially successful arcade game, launching the video game industry and inspiring the creation of home consoles like the Atari 2600. I remember when we got the Atari 2600 as a kid. The world seemed to be moving to the future and I thought we were finally a part of it. Little did I know it would create a love of video games that would carry through to this very day.
Gaming nostalgia is powerful—one glimpse of pixelated graphics or a few notes of an old-school soundtrack, and you’re transported back in time. Some classic games never lose their magic, and for many, they remain the gold standard of fun. While gaming technology has advanced, there are certain classic titles that remain just as enjoyable today as they were decades ago.
Join me today as I share with you my list of Best Classic Video Games for Nostalgia Lovers!
- What makes a games nostalgic?
- The Best Classic Video Games for Nostalgia Lovers
- The Oregon Trail(1971, PC, 2021, Switch)
- Duck Hunt(1984)
- Excitebike(1984)
- Gauntlet(1985)
- Rampage(1986)
- Contra(1987)
- Punch-Out!(1987)
- Why classic games still matter today
- A trip down memory lane
What makes a games nostalgic?
Nostalgia in gaming is deeply tied to personal memories, emotions, and the sense of discovery that came with playing certain titles in our formative years. For many, classic games evoke memories of gathering around the TV with friends, blowing into cartridges to make them work, or spending countless hours trying to beat that one impossible level. The music, the pixelated graphics, the unique sound effects—these all contribute to the feeling of nostalgia by instantly transporting players back to a specific time and place. A game’s ability to spark joy, excitement, or even frustration in a way that reminds us of our younger selves is what gives it that nostalgic charm. Whether it was the first game you ever played, the one you bonded over with a sibling, or the arcade game that ate all your quarters, nostalgia isn’t just about the game itself—it’s about the experiences and emotions connected to it.
Beyond personal memories, some games remain nostalgic because they were groundbreaking for their time, setting the foundation for modern gaming. Titles like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Pac-Man introduced gameplay mechanics, storytelling techniques, and characters that continue to influence gaming today. Their simple yet addictive designs make them timeless, ensuring they remain just as fun and engaging decades later. These games also benefit from a cultural legacy, being referenced in modern media, re-released on new platforms, or inspiring new indie games with a retro feel. Nostalgia in gaming isn’t just about remembering the past—it’s about revisiting experiences that still feel magical, even years later.
The Best Classic Video Games for Nostalgia Lovers
From simple text based games to 8-bit avatars moving out on simple backgrounds, the 80s understood one thing about gaming, storytelling is everything. Some games are more than just entertainment—they’re time machines that transport us back to the golden days of gaming. Whether it’s the 8-bit music, pixel-perfect graphics, or simple yet addictive gameplay, these classic titles continue to bring joy to players of all generations. From arcade favorites to console-defining masterpieces, the following games have stood the test of time, offering the perfect dose of nostalgia for those who want to relive the magic of gaming’s early years.
The Oregon Trail(1971, PC, 2021, Switch)
The Oregon Trail is an exciting adventure game where you travel back in time to the 1800s and try to lead a group of pioneers across the country. You start in Missouri and have to make it all the way to Oregon, but the journey is dangerous! Along the way, you have to hunt for food, cross rivers, and survive sicknesses like cholera and dysentery. If you don’t plan carefully, your whole wagon party might not make it!
This game is fun because you get to make big choices—do you take the safe road or risk a shortcut? Do you save food or eat more so your group stays strong? Every game is different, which makes it exciting to play again and again. The Oregon Trail is one of the most famous educational games ever made, teaching players about history, survival, and smart decision-making—all while trying not to die from dysentery!
Duck Hunt(1984)
Nintendo was revolutionary, this game was bundled with Super Mario Bros. and the Nintendo Entertainment system. This game made the light gun a household name and gave us a nemesis that still haunts many gamers to the day, the laughing hunting dog. Duck Hunt is one of the most fun and famous games from the 1980s! In this Nintendo classic, players use a special light gun controller called the NES Zapper to shoot ducks as they fly across the screen. The goal is simple—aim, shoot, and don’t miss too many ducks! But be careful, because if you fail, a sneaky hunting dog will pop up and laugh at you.
What makes Duck Hunt so exciting is how interactive it was for its time. Instead of using a regular controller, you actually pointed and shot at the screen, making it feel like you were really hunting. The game had different levels of difficulty, making it fun for both beginners and expert players. Even today, Duck Hunt is remembered as one of Nintendo’s most iconic and entertaining games, perfect for anyone who loves a simple but challenging shooting game!
Excitebike(1984)
Excitebike is a fast and fun dirt bike racing game where you speed across bumpy tracks, jump over ramps, and try to beat the clock! You have to be careful, though—if you hit too many obstacles or overheat your engine, you’ll crash!
One of the best parts of Excitebike is that you can make your own race tracks and design crazy jumps and obstacles for extra fun. The game has awesome racing action, and the more you play, the better you get at balancing speed and control. Whether you’re trying to win races or just do cool stunts, Excitebike is an exciting game that never gets old!
Gauntlet(1985)
Gauntlet is an awesome dungeon adventure game where you fight your way through dangerous mazes full of monsters, traps, and treasure! You can play as one of four heroes: a strong Warrior, a fast Elf, a powerful Wizard, or a tough Valkyrie. Each character has special abilities to help defeat the evil creatures that try to stop you.
What makes Gauntlet super fun is that you can play with up to four friends at the same time! You have to work together to collect keys, find food, and battle waves of ghosts, demons, and skeletons. The game even has a creepy voice that warns you when you’re in trouble—like when you’re running low on health (“Wizard needs food badly!”). With its fast action, teamwork, and endless levels, Gauntlet is a classic that makes every player feel like a hero!
Rampage(1986)
Rampage is an awesome monster game where you get to be the bad guy! You play as a giant ape, lizard, or wolf, and your goal is to smash cities, climb buildings, and destroy everything in sight! The more you crush, the more points you get—but watch out! The army will send helicopters, tanks, and soldiers to stop you.
One of the coolest things about Rampage is that you can play with friends and destroy cities together! You can punch buildings, eat people, and even smash each other for fun. The game is wild, silly, and full of action, making it one of the best monster games ever! If you ever wanted to be a giant creature on a rampage, this is the perfect game for you!
Contra(1987)
Contra is an action-packed shooting game where you play as a super soldier fighting against evil aliens and enemy soldiers. You run, jump, and shoot through dangerous levels filled with explosions, flying bullets, and powerful bosses. The game is fast, exciting, and full of non-stop action!
One of the coolest things about Contra is that you can play with a friend, working together to blast enemies and survive each level. It’s also famous for the Konami Code (↑↑↓↓←→←→ B A), which gives you extra lives to help you beat the super-hard levels. With its awesome weapons, crazy battles, and fun teamwork, Contra is one of the best run-and-gun games ever made—perfect for anyone who loves a challenge!
Punch-Out!(1987)
Punch-Out!! is an exciting boxing game where you play as Little Mac, a small but tough boxer trying to become the champion of the world! To win, you have to fight big, crazy opponents like Glass Joe, King Hippo, and Bald Bull. Each boxer has their own moves and weaknesses, so you have to dodge punches, land big hits, and time your attacks just right!
One of the most famous fights in the game is against Mike Tyson (or Mr. Dream in later versions), who is super strong and really hard to beat! The game is fun because it’s all about skill, timing, and learning how to outsmart your opponent. With fast action, funny characters, and exciting fights, Punch-Out!! is one of the best boxing games ever made!
Why classic games still matter today
Classic video games are more than just fun memories—they laid the foundation for modern gaming. Many of today’s biggest franchises, like The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Super Mario, started in the 80s and set the rules for game design that developers still follow today. Whether it’s the tight controls of platformers, the challenge of arcade shooters, or the deep exploration of RPGs, classic games created timeless gameplay mechanics that remain just as engaging today. Even modern indie games borrow from retro classics, proving that simple, well-designed games never go out of style.
One of the biggest reasons classic games still hold up is their focus on storytelling and imagination. Unlike modern games, which rely on high-definition graphics and voice acting to tell a story, older games had to be creative with limited technology. Through pixel art, chiptune music, and minimal dialogue, classic games built entire worlds that players could explore and interpret for themselves. Games like Metroid and The Legend of Zelda didn’t spell everything out—instead, they encouraged discovery and mystery, making the player feel like a true adventurer. The emotional connection players had with these games came from their ability to fill in the blanks with their own imagination, making the experience personal and unforgettable.
Classic games also remain influential because of their pure, focused gameplay. Unlike many modern games that have long tutorials, microtransactions, or overly complicated controls, classic games were easy to learn but hard to master. You could pick up a game like Pac-Man or Tetris in seconds, but it would take skill and practice to truly excel. This balance of accessibility and challenge is something many modern games struggle to achieve. Because of this, classic games are still played, remastered, and celebrated today—not just for nostalgia, but because they offer a gaming experience that remains fun, rewarding, and timeless.
A trip down memory lane
Classic video games are more than just a trip down memory lane—they are the building blocks of modern gaming and remain just as fun and engaging today as they were decades ago. Their timeless gameplay, innovative storytelling, and simple yet challenging mechanics continue to inspire new generations of players and game developers. Whether you grew up playing these games or are discovering them for the first time, they offer a pure, rewarding gaming experiencethat reminds us why we fell in love with video games in the first place. So, whether you’re blasting aliens in Contra, racing through obstacles in Excitebike, or smashing buildings in Rampage, classic games prove that great gameplay never gets old!
These classic games remind us why we fell in love with gaming in the first place. Whether it’s nostalgia or discovering them for the first time, they continue to provide endless fun.Which classic game brings back the best memories for you? Let us know in the comments!
Gay in the CLE 