Top Nine Old School Games
Published August 31, 2007
So many great games are coming out in the tail end of 2007, that we are in danger of forgetting the classics, games that built this industry, games that have entertained millions and will continue to do so whenever anyone decides to give an old school game a try. Here are nine of my favorite titles that every gamer needs to play at least once.
9. Legend of Zelda
I know, I know, not on Xbox 360™. Still, it's one of the greatest, most engaging RPGs of all time.
8. BioShock
Creepy, beautiful, classic.
Hold on a mo'. How can BioShock be old school? It just came out. Well, ten years down the road, this will be an old school game, and people will still be talking about it.
7. PAC-MAN
PAC-MAN continues to evolve.
There's the original PAC-MAN, there's Ms. Pac-Man, there's Pac-Man™ World 2 and Pac-Man™ World 3, and of course, just this year, PAC-MAN Championship Edition™ was released. That's a long career for a character that's little more than a yellow dot. Old school gameplay at its best.
6. Grand Theft Auto III
Violent, disturbing, yes. Great gameplay, also yes.
Unbelievable free-form gameplay in a world that is coherently designed. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy is a stellar deal because it contains three full games: Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. And GTA IV won't be far behind.
5. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
The Chronicles of Riddick™: Escape from Butcher Bay seemingly came out of nowhere and ended up on many gamers' top ten lists for the year. Proof that movie-related games can be good.
4. Lode Runner
Very old school platform traveling, gathering gold, and escaping enemies. One of the first games to contain a level editor. Always fun.
3. Paperboy
The graphics are certainly old school, but the game was fun.
Its wonky perspective is just one of the charming old school aspects of this classic arcade game.
2. Tempest
Fast-paced shoot 'em up action with your ship tied to the rim of a tube. Still a blast to play.
1. Halo 2
The reason we know Halo 3 is going to be so good is because Halo 2 was great.
If Halo® 2 hadn't been a masterpiece, we wouldn't have been so excited over the launch of Halo 3. Play it now before the big game launches in September.
Now that's a list of games, old classics, new legends, and all of them fun from top to bottom. Make sure you experience these old school gems when you can.
Article by Major Nelson
