--- title: The Old School Game Vault – Retro Video Game Blog - Page 18 description: Explore the retro gaming world with The Old School Game Vault. Read expert articles, collector guides, and reviews on classic Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, and Xbox games - Page 18 canonical_url: https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog language: en-GB date: 2025-12-08T20:34:12Z notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog. markdown-tokens: 1451 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. [ ![Timeline of Nintendo console releases from NES (1985) to SNES (2091) showing units sold and release years](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/Nintendo-Console-Sale-Timeline.avif) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/console-generation-behind-gaming-strategy "Why Gaming a Console Generation Behind Saves You Hundreds") Staying current is great, but being behind is fantastic. Gaming a generation behind saves money and dodges launch chaos. [ ![Joel is compared to traditional video game heroes. This illustrates the evolution of protagonist morality.](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/video-game-protagonist-comparison.avif) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/gaming-ethics-last-of-us "Why The Last of Us Made Joel Gaming's Most Complex Protagonist") I like Joel, but I also don't. I'm glad he found happiness, yet I'm furious about how he did it. This mix is what makes The Last of Us one of gaming's most complex stories. [ ![Fire Emblem The Sacred Stones GBA box art – tactical role-playing game for Game Boy Advance](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/Fire-Emblem-Sacred-Stones-.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/626-video-game-sequels "Video Game Sequels & Remasters: Balancing Nostalgia & Innovation") Explore reviews, strategies, and insights on retro video game sequels and remasters, highlighting how classic franchises like Fire Emblem, Mario Kart, Call of Duty, and Final Fantasy balance nostalgia with innovation. [ ![Mega Man Robot Masters character selection screen from classic NES games](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/best-retro-mega-man-games.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/10-best-retro-mega-man-games "The 10 Best Mega Man Games: My Personal Ranking") Discover the Mega Man games that shaped action gaming. From the retro platforming of the NES era to modern updates, these titles have left a lasting impact. [ ![Final Fantasy VII original vs remake – Cloud Strife character comparison in classic and modern RPG gaming](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/Nostalgic-Video-Games-that-dont-age-FF7.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/624-retro-video-gaming-hard-to-play "Which Old Games Are Worth Revisiting? Nostalgia Isn't Enough") I tried replaying Champions of Krynn. I quit after an hour. The split-screen interface was unbearable. But Super Mario still holds up perfectly. Not all old games hold up. After over 17 years in retro gaming, I know which ones are worth a second look and which should stay in the past. [ ![NES Metroid password screen – retro video game save system using alphanumeric codes](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/NES_Metroid_Passwords-system.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/619-retro-gaming-harder "Retro Games vs Modern Games – Why Old Games Were So Hard") Explore why retro games were so hard compared to modern titles, uncovering the design choices, difficulty curves, and timeless challenges that still captivate players today. [ ![Batman NES intro screen – retro video game screenshot from Nintendo Entertainment System](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/Best-Retro-Batman-Games.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/912-3-forgotten-nes-games-you-gotta-try "NES Hidden Gems: Co-op Tanks, Wall-Jumping Batman, and Bo Jackson") My dad called into Swap Shop radio to track down Rygar, I saved paper route money to buy Tecmo Bowl in 1989, and I still own that original complete-in-box copy today [ ![Final Fantasy Tactics War of the Lions cover art with I Quit sign – review on PSP performance issues](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/final-fantasy-tactics-psp-i-quit.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/956-ff-tactics-war-of-the-lions "I Quit Final Fantasy Tactics After 30 Hours: PSP Lag Killed It") A nostalgic yet critical look at Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions for PSP, exploring its tactical brilliance, frustrating performance issues, and better modern alternatives. [ ![Famous video game characters including Mario, Sonic, Pac-Man, Lara Croft, Spyro, and Ryu – iconic gaming mascots from different eras](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/images/Blog_Images/Intro%20Images/why-retro-gaming-is-so-huge.webp) ](https://theoldschoolgamevault.com/blog/articles/753-retro-gaming-is-growing "Why Is Retro Gaming So Popular? 10 Reasons It's Making a Comeback") Buy a used Xbox 360, and you'll get the Red Ring of Death. Order an old NES off eBay? Dollars to donuts it runs like a dream. 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