Retro Gaming Rewind: From Mario to Prince of Persia – A Nostalgic Look at the Iconic Titles of the '80s
Relive the golden age of gaming with classics like Mario, Contra, and Pac-Man—iconic '80s games that defined a generation and still bring joy today.
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Ask any '80s kid about retro games, and you'll see their eyes light up! While Gen Z has grown up with PlayStations and endless gaming apps, we had a limited but cherished collection of wonders that we still adore today. Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most popular retro games you can still play now.
The '80s marked the "golden age" of both arcades and home consoles, a decade when video games exploded in popularity. Back then, it felt nothing short of a miracle to witness these digital marvels.
As a child, I discovered my inner gamer as I became completely obsessed with these emerging titles. Some of the most notable games from the 1980s included Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Tetris, Duck Hunt, Super Mario Bros., Contra, and Prince of Persia.
Accessibility was a different story back then. With no mobile phones and gaming consoles being a luxury, playing these games often meant a trip to the local cafe. I remember paying around ₹2 for an hour of gameplay, huddled with my brother and a queue of other eager kids, all waiting for our turn. While many girls in my circle preferred playing "stapu" or with dolls, my passion for gaming always led me to that cafe.
As video games gained even more traction, consoles became more affordable, and we finally got one at home. I even remember playing Prince of Persia on my black and white computer, losing myself for hours on end. Pure madness! Raise your hand if you've ever played Mario for six hours straight!
Today, the gaming landscape is vastly different. You can download hundreds of games on your mobile phone and other devices, with endless options at your fingertips.
But nothing beats the pure joy of those flickering CRT displays and hours of fun from a bygone era. Let's dive into some of my personal favorites that remain classics:
Pac-Man (1980)
Released in 1980, Pac-Man quickly became one of the most popular games of all time, known for its simple yet addictive gameplay. It emerged as the top-grossing arcade title of the '80s worldwide. In this maze-chase game, you control Pac-Man, whose goal is to eat all the dots while avoiding the infamous ghost gang: Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde. Clear all the dots, and you advance to the next level. Get caught by a ghost, and you lose a life. Lose all your lives, and it's game over!
Donkey Kong (1981)
In 1981, game designer Shigeru Miyamoto introduced Donkey Kong, a formidable rival to Pac-Man. Selling over 15 million ports, it became a massive hit in both North America and Japan. The original series featured two games: Donkey Kong, where you play as Mario, and Donkey Kong Jr., where you control Donkey Kong Jr. In both, your goal is to dodge obstacles and navigate four challenging levels.
Players jump over barrels, climb ladders, or swing on vines to progress. Mario uses a hammer to smash obstacles, while Donkey Kong Jr. drops fruit from vines to clear his path. You earn points by collecting items, destroying obstacles, and completing levels quickly. Starting with three lives, you lose one if you fall or touch an obstacle.
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
"Tudu tu tudu tu…" – that iconic Mario theme song was a common sound from homes once gaming consoles became affordable. Even today, a colleague from the '80s in my office has it as his mobile ringtone, proving the enduring love for this game!
Mario and Luigi have become two of the most iconic characters in gaming history. Originally released in 1985, Super Mario Bros. later evolved into both 2D and 3D versions, where players progress by collecting items and defeating enemies. Power-ups always made the gameplay even more exciting.
Super Mario Odyssey launched for Nintendo Switch in October 2017. In 2021, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury was re-released on the same console, while Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a 2D side-scrolling game, was introduced in 2023.
Interestingly, there have been three movies based on the Super Mario Bros. franchise: Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! (a 1986 anime film), Super Mario Bros. (a 1993 live-action film), and The Super Mario Bros. Movie (a 2023 animated film).
Contra (1987)
Before PUBG and Free Fire Max, the action-packed Contra was the first love for many. It may not have had the lifelike characters or fancy graphics of today's games, but it still kept us glued to our screens.
I always envied my brother, who played better than me. Since I found it a bit challenging, I leaned more towards games like Mario Bros. and Prince of Persia. For the uninitiated, this 1987 game was developed for arcades by Konami. In 1988, it was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System and later ported to various computers.
The run-and-gun game became one of the top four highest-grossing dedicated arcade games of 1987 in the US and achieved commercial success worldwide. After the original, several Contra sequels were released. The game also featured a two-player mode, letting one play as Bill and the other as Lance.
Prince of Persia (1989)
This was one of my absolute favorite games, and I remember spending hours playing it. I still brag about being the only one among my friends and siblings who finished the game and united the prince with the princess. That cute hug moment at the end felt like a huge celebration for me! Oops, I got carried away down memory lane! Nostalgia aside, here’s what the game was all about.
Prince of Persia was created by Jordan Mechner and first published by Broderbund in 1989. It was followed by Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame in 1993.
Since then, numerous installments have been released by various developers, with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown being the latest, launched in 2024. Two more titles are already in the pipeline for 2025 and 2026. The franchise also inspired a film adaptation.
Today, graphics are astonishingly impressive, and lifelike characters elevate the gaming experience to new heights. But for me, nothing truly compares to the joy of those flickering CRT displays and countless hours of pure, innocent fun!
What are some of your favorite retro games from the '80s? Share your memories with us!
