The world has been treated to many great video game consoles over the years. There are some pretty modern ones, but there's something special about the classics, especially if you grew up with them. Unfortunately, though, if you've kept those old systems and they still work, you may be tired of the games on them. After all, it's not like developers are still creating new titles for systems that came out years ago.
Thankfully, there are modern games that have some similarities to past titles. In some cases, they are similar to the types of games that specific consoles became known for. Here are some examples.
Atari 2600
Game You Must Play: Crossy Road
Atari 2600 Retro as they come. The system is known for titles like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Frogger. So, it is famous for its range of games which are much simpler than the mainstream games released today.
However, you can still get simple titles these days, especially on mobile. An example is Crossy Road, a game that borrows heavily from Frogger in that your objective is to make it across roads and rivers without dying. This means dodging cars and trains, while avoiding drowning.
Nintendo Entertainment System
Game You Must Play: Shovel Knight
The most famous games on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) were the first few Super Mario Bros. titles. The first and third, in particular, were classic 2D side-scrolling platformers. A more modern game in the genre is Shovel Knight.
That said, it doesn't look very modern, as it uses a retro 8-bit art style that makes it look like a game on the NES. However, it is a bit smoother than those classics and manages to separate itself from them with the help of a shovel. Unlike Mario, who just jumps a lot, the hero of this game has a shovel for both digging and attacking.
Sega Genesis
Game You Must Play: River City Girls
Beyond the Sonic titles, the Sega Genesis was known for its collection of 2D beat 'em up games, including Streets of Rage 2, Golden X 2, Altered Beast, and more. Games like those have generally gone out of style, but some great ones still exist, like River City Girls.
The game focuses on a pair of women who must fight their way through numerous enemies to rescue their kidnapped lovers. Not only does it offer a similar combat style to those Sega Genesis beat 'em ups, but it also has a pixelated art style reminiscent of games from that era.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Game You Must Play: Sea of Stars
Many great RPGs were released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Some examples include Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy 6, and Secrets of Mind. The recent Sea of Stars is clearly inspired by those titles and other SNES-era RPGs.
This is mainly because it's a 2D RPG with an isometric camera and pixel art, so it definitely looks like you're playing one of those classic games. It might just be a solid turn-based RPG about a pair of heroes trying to save the world.
Nintendo 64
The game you should play: Super Mario Odyssey
With games like Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64, and Banjo-Kazooie, the Nintendo 64 really helped establish and popularize the 3D platformer genre. Therefore, it's only natural that fans of the console would be interested in a great 3D platformer like Super Mario Odyssey. In this game, the titular hero is trying to save Princess Peach from Bowser once again.
This time, he needs to explore all kinds of unique and interesting kingdoms using his special airship that is fueled by the power moons you collect. Helping him on his adventures is a special hat called Cappy that lets you control various objects and creatures.
Nintendo GameCube
Game You Must Play: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The GameCube was known for a wide variety of games. It does not belong to a genre or series. However, some of the most highly regarded games on the system were the Legend of Zelda titles, as the console was home to both Wind Waker and Twilight Princess.
For a more modern Zelda experience, there's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It's an incredibly deep and expansive Zelda game that gives you plenty of freedom to go about whatever you see fit. This is helped by the fact that you can build all kinds of structures with very few limitations.
PlayStation
Game You Must Play: Signalis
The original PlayStation was the launching pad for many video game series, including big horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Since then, the horror genre has changed a lot. However, one modern game that is a bit of a throwback to those titles is Signalis. It's a 2.5D survival-horror title that emphasizes resource management and puzzle-solving.
One area in which it differs from Resident Evil and Silent Hill is that it is a sci-fi horror game. So, you play as an android, known in the game as a replica, as you search around a creepy facility looking for answers to what happened there.
Xbox
The game you should play: Destiny 2
While the original Xbox was home to a bunch of different games, there's no doubt that the first two Halo titles really helped establish the Xbox brand. So, you can argue that the current Halo Infinite is the best game for those who love those original Halo games.
However, another option is Destiny 2. After all, this is a first-person shooter made by Bungie, which was also the developer of the first few Halo games. It's not exactly Halo, but it's a fun sci-fi shooter with an emphasis on PvP and PvE multiplayer. The biggest difference is that it's a live-service game, so it keeps updating with new content.
PlayStation 2
Game You Must Play: Grand Theft Auto 5
PlayStation 2 was known for all kinds of games. However, among the most influential of them all is the trio of Grand Theft Auto games, including GTA 3, San Andreas, and Vice City. They helped popularize the open-world genre and inspired many other games. So, it makes sense for console fans to experience Grand Theft Auto 5.
After all, it builds heavily on the mechanics of the PS2 GTA games, but with better gunplay, a more detailed world, and more realistic-looking character models. Also, the writing and characters are great, especially when it comes to the protagonist trio. Throughout the game, they must stay friendly with the government and pull off a series of heists.
