[Retro Games] Get hyped with nostalgic classics! Fun games that bring back memories
Retro games have a charming, heart-thumping allure that comes with nostalgia, don’t they? The beeping sound effects and pixel-art worlds continue to captivate many people even today.
Perhaps you, too, have found yourself more absorbed by simple yet profoundly designed gameplay than by complex controls or flashy graphics.
This time, we’ll introduce you to the heartwarming world of retro games.
Encountering wonderful titles that let you relive the excitement of the past will surely inspire new ways to enjoy yourself.
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[Retro Games] Get hyped with timeless classics! Fun games that bring back memories (1–10)
Final Fantasy IV
This is the fourth entry in the Final Fantasy series, a flagship title first for Square and later for Square Enix.
Starting with this installment, the hardware shifted to the Super Famicom, and you could feel advancements in both the system and graphics.
A key point is that this game introduced real-time combat with the Active Time Battle system, which clearly had a major influence on subsequent Final Fantasy titles.
While it did feature innovative systems, it’s often assessed as still being in its early stages in that regard, so it’s generally regarded as a work that excels more in its story.
Metal Gear Solid
Released for the PlayStation in 1998, this entry holds a pivotal place within Konami’s Metal Gear series.
While it retains the core stealth-infiltration gameplay of evading enemy detection, the fully 3D presentation heightens immersion and tension.
Its cinematic, hard-edged storyline is another key draw: considering each character’s motives as you play helps you sink deeper into the game’s world.
With memorable characters and a wide array of weaponry—blending real-world arms with fictional tech—this title packs in countless points of interest.
Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
Released by Capcom in 1991, this is the third entry in the Ghosts ’n Goblins series, and the fact that it came out on the Super Famicom is a notable point.
The biggest change due to the new hardware is the graphics, which make the variety of weapon actions and the atmosphere of each stage feel more immersive.
The series is known for its notoriously high difficulty—sometimes even called brutal—and while Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts is said to be set to a lower difficulty compared to earlier titles, it’s still considered quite challenging.
It’s a game where you can really feel the satisfaction of mastering delicate controls, such as reading stage gimmicks and executing precise movements.
[Retro Games] Get hyped with classic masterpieces! Fun games that bring back memories (11–20)
MOTHER 2: Giygas Strikes Back
Released for the Super Famicom in 1994, about five years after the previous title, Mother, this work drew attention for having copywriter Shigesato Itoi in charge of game design and the scenario, and it is often praised for its compelling story and worldbuilding.
While its development—filled with various parodies—and its distinctive characters are entertaining, it also presents an unsettling atmosphere and plot developments that stoke anxiety.
For better or worse, it’s a game that leaves a deep impression on many people.
Night of the Sickle Weasel
Released by Chunsoft in 1994 for the Super Famicom, this title appeared as the second installment in the Sound Novel series following Otogirisō.
Its system—reading through the text while choosing branching paths to gradually approach the truth—along with the story’s gripping tension, drew a lot of attention.
You can also feel the strong emphasis on the scenario, with mystery writer Takemaru Abiko handling the script.
The branching endings and the development into various scenarios make it a memorable work with plenty of replay value.
Super Puyo Puyo
Within the series of falling-block puzzle games Puyo Puyo developed by Compile, the installment released for the Super Famicom is Super Puyo Puyo.
The Puyo Puyo series became a hit thanks to its system of matching and clearing same-colored pieces and aiming for chains through strategic stacking, establishing itself as a puzzle-game staple alongside Tetris.
After appearing in arcades and on various platforms, its release on the widely adopted home console Super Famicom may have helped accelerate the series’ success.
Packed with charm—including the distinctive characters from Compile’s Madou Monogatari—it’s a captivating title.
Bomberman 2
Among Hudson’s flagship Bomberman series, Super Bomberman 2 was released for the Super Famicom in 1994.
Although it is the ninth entry in the series, it’s considered a title that influenced later games, introducing elements like the Five Dastardly Bombers—who would reappear in subsequent installments—and sudden-death rules in battle mode.
The game also tests your strategic thinking: how you defeat enemies in Story Mode and how you battle other players in Battle Mode.
And beyond the strategy, the exhilarating, over-the-top explosions deliver a satisfying sense of catharsis that’s a big part of the game’s appeal.