Probably, no console manufacturer lost the initiative worse than Sega did after it slayed the dragon known as the Nintendo Entertainment System. In 1992, on the heels of a gambit that saw Sega bundle the Genesis system with Sonic the Hedgehog.

In a previous post, I discuss some classic games that you know and probably played, but that you should give a second look in the 2020s. Here I’ll discuss a trio of all-but-forgotten retro video games.  You may well have missed these games the first time around, but fear not! They’re all worth a play even today – read on to find out why. 3. Ikari Warriors Have you seen a Rambo movie? Okay, then you get the idea. Like the probably more famous NES game Commando, Ikari Warriors is a top-down, vertically scrolling shoot-em-up about foot soldiers. Unlike that game, your character in Ikari Warriors has a bandana and a friend. Co-op! On the NES! Co-op games were a rarity, and that makes Ikari Warriors a lot of fun if you’re looking for an 8-bit shmup fix. Ammo was limited, which is an interesting twist for the genre, plus you can...

The 1980s was a great decade because it aspired to that which it was not. It thought it was the future, and it wasn’t; it claimed the stock market would make everyone rich, and it didn’t. And after all the promises of wild monetary wealth and servant robots, all the 1980s mostly delivered were a bunch of “Rocky” sequels and a plasma globe from the Sharper Image. But aside from the kitsch—and the ‘80s produced a substantial amount—it will go down as a period of time notable for great optimism, great music and, of course, great video games. This was the time of the arcades and the rise of the home video game console; and for those of us who grew up during this era it was our decade, rendered in 8 bits. With that in mind, here is a list of games that defined a generation. Pac-Man There isn’t much...

Lately, the game Pokémon Legends: Arceus on the Nintendo Switch has been all the rage. For older fans, it is a source of nostalgia, while for those new to the franchise, it is an opportunity to go back to the older generation titles. So, we decided to help you board the nostalgia train with this list of 5 best 90s Pokémon video games. Nintendo has had huge successful franchises in the form of Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., and Metroid some of the best-selling games before they released Pokémon. But what set Pokémon apart from the rest was not only was it released as a game, but a year later an anime adaptation was aired.  This created a cult following for the game, as people wanted to become the protagonist of their own story and be the very best Pokémon trainer. This cultural phenomenon gave way to the massive success...

The Dark Knight is without a doubt one of the most beloved comic book characters and pop culture icons of all time. Over the decades, Batman’s brooding nature, ace detective skills and colorful gallery of villains has become second nature to most of us. Before Rock steady nailed the definitive Batman experience in the Arkham series of games, there were a lot of games that put players in the Caped Crusader’s shoes. Unfortunately, most of them were pure garbage and shamelessly attempted to cash in on Batman’s popularity. Fear not, though, dear reader. We went through the archives and found a whole slew of great batman games. The Batman games that are a lot of fun to play, even today. Strap on your pointy ears, and let’s begin! Batman (1991) from the Sega Genesis There have been a lot of Batman games on the Genesis console (there are more than one...

In 1995, console gaming was on the cusp of a new era. 16-bit systems went the way of the buffalo as 32-bit became the new standard. Suddenly, home gaming could become so much more than side-scrolling platformers. Naturally, the console wars of this era were as brutal as a cannon fight between rival pirate ships. Each new console that came out was either a huge success or a complete failure. At this time, Sega released the Sega Saturn console—their 32-bit successor to the Sega Genesis. Sadly, due to some horrible marketing decisions by Sega, the Saturn crashed and burned right out of the gate The real tragedy is that Sega had an incredible selection of Saturn games already in development. Some of these are the best 90s games ever, and they’re not available anywhere else. To prove that Sega Saturn is the best failed console, we’ve listed the best Sega Saturn games...

Over the last 40 years, dozens upon dozens of home video game consoles have been released across the globe. Some, like the NES, retailed for affordable prices ($89.99), while others, like the TurboGrafx-16, were prohibitively expensive ($399.99).  Then there’s SNK’s Neo Geo system Which was in a league of its own. The machine’s exorbitant $649.99 price tag (and this was in 1990 dollars) ensured that the only folks who could get their hands on it likely wore monocles and smoked cigarettes out of ivory holders fashioned from African elephant tusks. However, even after its release, the Neo Geo didn’t depreciate all that much in price. Today, gamers can still spend hundreds of dollars on an original system, and its used games are some of the priciest around. So what’s responsible for this gouging? Here are some reasons why the Neo-Geo and its catalog of titles was, is, and will always be...

We were going to start this article with a question. But we already know the answer. No, you’re not interested in getting into the retro shoot ’em up games. We get it. It’s a difficult genre for the uninitiated to break into. For one thing, we mean that literally. Shoot ‘em up games, or “shmups” tend to be very challenging. Also, the 80s and 90s spawned thousands of these games every year. If you’re trying to get into these games now, where do you start? So glad you asked. You start right here, of course. Below are the best SNES shmups that money can buy—or at least some of them. There are several notable mentions that we’ll save for a follow-up article. In any case, you must try these 10 SNES shoot ‘em ups for yourself. 10. Super R-Type Obviously, we couldn’t list the best SNES shmups without mentioning at least...

It should be easier than ever to sell video game consoles online, as retro gaming has enjoyed a huge resurgence in recent years. As adults who grew up in the 80s and 90s look back wistfully on their pre-smartphone, pre-social media childhoods. In those days, Facebook and the iPhone were a long ways from defining an era, but what you can bet on is that most kids had some kind of video game console sitting on top of their old tube TV. And while retro video games are all the rage on the second-hand market, the video game consoles themselves often fetch a pretty on bidding sites too. When You Sell Video Game Consoles: The better the condition, the more you’ll earn We all know the general rules for getting the most for your used goods on the second-hand market: make sure the product is as close to new as possible. That means...

Playing the Best PS1 Hidden Gems.  Somewhere in the world, we imagine there’s a collector who keeps all 7,918 games behind security-enforced display cases. There they remain, day after day, barred from any human interaction. Gee, how fun. So when was the last time you played Koudelka, Top Shop, or Rival Schools on PS1? Just kidding! That was a trick question. If you’re like most gamers, you’ve never even heard of these titles before. And that’s a real shame because these games are true masterpieces of the PS1 era.  Sadly, though, there are loads of hidden PS1 gems like these that were simply overshadowed by other PS1 hits. Of course, this is bound to happen when such games are released alongside historical hits like Final Fantasy VII. . Read on to discover the best PS1 Hidden gems that you’ve been missing. 1. Bushido Blade As a retro gamer, you’ve probably played...

Do you have a Nintendo 64 with games for sale, along with controllers and accessories? We can help you sell them! Or, are you looking to buy N64 games? The Old School Game Vault is the best place for that, too! The only question is, how do you get started? As you may have guessed, we have the answer to this as well. This complete N64 buying and selling guide explains everything you’ve ever wanted to know on the topic. That includes the best and most popular N64 games to know about, plus how to watch out for counterfeits. Whether you’re selling or buying an N64, find all the information you need in this guide. Table of Contents The Best N64 Games What N64 games require a Expansion PakOur Favorite Obscure TitlesHow to Spot Counterfeit N64 GamesThe Worst N64 Games to Watch Out ForWhere to Buy N64 Games and ConsolesWhat You Need To Play an N64Are...

The Nintendo Switch has cemented its status as a cornerstone of the gaming industry since its debut, boasting a diverse array of titles to suit every gamer's preference. However, alongside its widespread popularity, there has been a concerning surge in counterfeit games flooding the market. To aid consumers in identifying genuine Nintendo Switch games, we've compiled some crucial pointers: Nintendo has maintained a commendable track record in combatting counterfeiting efforts. As of the time of this publication, the primary concern within the secondhand market pertains to instances of label swapping and the distribution of promotional display cartridges that lack functionality. Nonetheless, it's foreseeable that counterfeit copies may emerge on platforms like eBay and other online marketplaces over time. Outlined below are key indicators to help discern counterfeit Nintendo Switch games. Whether you're dealing with an outright counterfeit, encountering games with altered labels, or being offered dummy promotional cartridges, these guidelines will...

Everyone loves a classic. There are games, movies and other pieces of pop culture that have stood the test of time and have been enjoyed and cherished by many a generation. Just the same, there is a strange kind of enjoyment that can be derived from watching a movie or playing a game that is just a failure on several fronts. In a weird way, some games are so bad that they’re good. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed many a game that makes you throw up your hands and ask yourself “Why? Why did they do it like this? What were the developers thinking?” Let's have some fun and point out some of the huge turds from the NES Library. Let us begin. King of Kings This game really exemplifies the premise of this article in that it is difficult to understand who this game is meant to serve. Is it...

Even though video game giants like Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft continue to release their "latest and greatest" hardware in the form of the Xbox Series X, the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 5, retro gaming is continuing to grow.  Happily, the last five to ten years has seen the maturing video game industry solve all of these problems in various ways, bringing the first true retro renaissance to the field of video games and to gamers young and old. The ten main factors detailed below have combined to make it easier and more enjoyable than ever to play old school games.  An interesting fact is that retro gaming Isn't growing only with people who are old enough to remember the original "Final Fantasy" or people who were around when specials about "Super Mario Bros. 3" aired on prime-time television. Retro gaming is also growing among the younger generation of gamers -...

Ever since the advent of the VCR, it’s been a tradition for kids to pop in some horror flicks when Halloween night rolls around. But a new generation is here, one that grew up playing console video games, and one that saw the rise of the “survival horror” genre. So it makes you wonder what horror game character would make the best movie? As you can see, we've thought about that already It only makes sense, then, that Halloween tradition accommodate video games as much as movies. Who knows, with the rise of  technologies like VR, maybe gaming will become so immersive that one day soon it will render scary movies obsolete. In the meantime, here are some scary games perfect for Halloween night. First-person shooters, platformers, side-scrollers, shoot-em-ups—these are just a few of the many video game genres out there. Add all those sub-genres into the mix, and you have...

Retro gaming has become a popular hobby for all kinds of gamers. Some want to revisit classic video games from their youth to relive the nostalgic magic. Others want to play these video games they've never had the chance to play before. Whichever way, it's now easier than ever to buy these games & retro gaming consoles online and enjoy some of the most amazing games from the past.  From decades past and present from Atari to Nintendo, these consoles and games make for great buys for a gaming enthusiast, but they can also make for unique Christmas gifts for anyone in your life that loves gaming. If you want to enjoy some retro goodness, here are 10 of the best retro game systems you can buy & enjoy right now. Before We Start, Let's Define: Retro Gaming & What defines it Retro gaming has been around for a long time,...

Long before Will Smith was slapping grown men on live television, he and Jazzy Jeff taught us that “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” And it’s true. There's always an unavoidable gap between one generation and the next. Those who grew up in the 80s played Nintendo and wondered why their dads were so fascinated by baseball. Kids today watch TikTok videos and wonder why parents do anything that requires more than 34 seconds of their attention. But, once in a while, we find those rare activities that both generations can enjoy together. Case in point, the following guide lists the best NES games to share with your kids. These games nourish your child’s mental development (seriously) while bridging the generation gap. Plus, they’re addictively fun for all ages. Enjoy these games together for some glorious, 8-bit family bonding. 1. Super Mario Bros 1-3 You can’t go wrong with a classic. And few...

As we look forward to a generation of consoles that will not be backwards compatible with older game discs, it’s gotten me thinking about the different ways in which old games have proven to have a variety of extra lives. We replay them on enduring or refurbished original platforms We constantly buy video games and sell them all the time, we download them digitally through current-gen marketplaces, and we discover and enjoy them as in-game Easter eggs (playing Maniac Mansion in its sequel, Day of the Tentacle, for instance, Zork and Dead Ops Arcade in Call of Duty: Black Ops III, or several Atari games in Black Ops 2). In a broader sense, old games live on through sequels (Thief 4!) or reboots (Tomb Raider), in the futuristic yet 80s-game-obsessed novel Ready Player One, and as the subject of more and more movies (from The Wizard and Super Mario Brothers to...

Everyone who grew up playing the NES is familiar with the concept of blowing into an NES cartridge to make it work right? So here is a breakdown of what this looks like, and why or why not it works. You slide in the cartridge, push it down to lock it in place, then power on the system. But the screen is full of glitchy blocks that look like messed up letters and shattered fragments of Mario.  You take out the cartridge, blow into it, put it back in, and turn on the NES. Now the screen is filled exclusively with the color purple. You take it out again, blow into it again, put it back, turn it on, and repress the urge to scream curses at your NES. Nope. Now the screen is flashing back and forth between the purple screen and the first 1.5 seconds of the game intro....

The Legend of Zelda series epic is one of the most epic game series of all time. With more than 51 million games sold worldwide, it's won a place in the hearts of many gamers. The '90s were an exciting time for Zelda fans, with numerous titles released in this decade. You can find these games, figures, and more on Poggers. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past  (1991-1992) The Legend of Zelda: a Link to the Past is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo entertainment system. It is the third installment in the Legend of Zelda series and was released in 1991 in Japan and 1992 in North America and Europe. The plot of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past centers around Link's quest to rescue Princess Zelda from Ganon's clutches. The gameplay builds upon the exploration elements of its...