It's time for the fourth blog in the Retro Gaming Blogging Challenge. One thing I've noticed is that I've sort of written myself into a corner. It's hard to move through each topic without mentioning several of the same games. I realize now that I should perhaps have planned which game to use for each post before starting the challenge.
Today we're taking a look at my top 3 retro video games. In no particular order, let's get to it.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Yes, I know. This one was also featured yesterday when I talked about retro video games I have completed. I'll try not to recycle my content so you can read about what was special about completing the game there. I'll focus on what makes it into one of my favorite retro games here instead.
It's all in the memories. This game is fresh in my memory as if the last time I played it was yesterday. One of the things I liked the most about it was the open world. There was so many cool places to explore. It even had a fishing mini-game which for some reason was amazing to me. I could sit for hours just to try and catch the biggest fish.
The time travel aspect was always something fascinating to me. You basically had two worlds to explore in the same game. If something was blocked you could try coming back as adult or young Link to see if anything was different. Although, the future was scary due to the ReDeads.
The progression system was huge as well. Both through collecting the six medallions as well as unlocking new skills and tools that allowed you to explore more of the world. I think my favorite was the hookshot which allowed you to pull yourself towards certain things if they're heavy enough, or vice versa if they're lighter items.
Speaking of items this game has a lot. This is also part og what made it so good. There's even different kinds of equipment which affected Links look. The goron tunic was my favorite. Having a red Link, as opposed to the classical green, was just so cool. I also really digged the masks.
This game holds a special place in my heart and it can't go unmentioned.
Source: Zelda Gamepedia
Super Mario 64
Another classic. It's a classic for a reason. It's just that good and it would be a blatant lie to make this post without putting it up here.
Even though Ocarina of Time was the first 3D game I experienced this was the first I actually played. Good old Mario whom I loved so much from the first video game I ever owned. He looked so cool in 3D. Almost real.
Source: Super Mario Boards
Okay maybe not real but it's pretty darn good for its time.
Collecting stars was immensely fun. Opening up new worlds was so cool. I was always curious to find out what kind of painting would be hiding behind each door. And truth be told, each and every world was really cool.
I have so many fond memories of all the worlds. Climbing up and defeating King Bob-omb in the Bob-omb Battlefield. Later unlocking the wing cap to fly around with. I was terrified of the eels, apparently called May Rays, in Jolly Roger Bay. The race with the Big Penguin in Cool, Cool Mountain. Being eaten by the Mad Piano in Big Boo's Haunt. The list goes on.
As was the case with Ocarina of Time I was first introduced to this game though a friend, albeit not the same one. I vividly remember spending many hours on the floor of his living room. I was even so rash as to ask his dad if I could come in and play even when my friend wasn't at home. Unsurprisingly i wasn't allowed.
I've played this game several times since. I played it on my own Nintendo 64 that I got some years later. I played it again when it was re-released for the Nintendo DS. I'm planning to play it once again when I buy the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection for the Nintendo Switch. I'm really looking forward to playing Super Mario Galaxy as well as I never owned a Nintendo Wii and thus didn't get to play it.
This one really is special and it's no coincidence that it's been praised for being both one of the greatest and most important video games of all time.
Source: Super Mario Wiki
Pokémon Stadium
As a kid I was all about Pokemon for a period. Even when we became "to old" for Pokemon I would still not let it go. There was no stopping me from playing my Pokemon games even after reaching junior high.
To really get the most out of Pokemon Stadium you needed the transfer pak. This would allow you to connect your game boy games from the first generation of Pokemon games. With this you could upload your Pokemon to Pokemon Stadium and use them to battle. While you could already connect to your friends Game Boys via a game link cable it was nothing against fighting your friend on the TV with 3d graphics.
The game featured several game modes. You could do standard battles with a set of rules. There was the stadium mode which saw you fighting your way through a set number of leagues. The gym leader castle had you fighting all of the gym leaders from Kanto as well as the Elite Four before ending at your rival. If you managed to beat these two game modes you got the chance to face off against Mewtwo himself which was huge for me as a kid. He was without a doubt the coolest Pokemon.
The big one however was the Game Boy Tower which allowed you to play the game boy Pokemon games on the big screen. It basically functioned as an emulator as long as you had the aforementioned transfer pak. You could also unlock the ability of playing the games at 2x and 3x speed for doing various tasks within the main game in Pokemon Stadium.
Pokemon Stadium was also the first game in which I experienced a sort of new game+ mode. If you managed to beat Mewtwo you could unlock what was called "Round 2" which allowed you to play the main game modes again but at higher difficulty. This would also allow you to unlock Mew. While not as cool as Mewtwo, Mew was also quite special.
Source: Bulbapedia
There they are. My top three favorite retro games. This is quite a special list as it basically sums up my childhood.
This was the fourth entry in the Retro Gaming Blogging Challenge which means there are ten more entries to go. Look out for the #retrogamingchallenge tag to catch' em all!
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