# Your Favourite Retro Video Game (Best For its Time) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 12, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883 "2025-01-12T20:04:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/1 "2025-01-12T20:04:08Z")
Obviously technology continues to improve video game graphics. I recently had opportunity to play the old school game _Ultima IV_. It strikes me that given the memory and technological constraints of the time, it is a perfect game. Great story, groundbreaking and widely copied characteristics, amazingly complex, both fun and surprisingly good graphics and sound. (This must have been done before, but my search too is weak, and maybe not recently.) **But what is your equivalent?** ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/2 "2025-01-12T20:08:39Z")
Space Wars, mid-70s. One of the first, after Pong. Nothing beats it. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/3 "2025-01-12T20:48:25Z")
The _Syphon Filter_ games on the PS1 were perhaps my favorite franchise that I’ve ever played. Close runner up, the original _Sim City_. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/4 "2025-01-12T21:03:39Z")
_Super Mario Bros. 3_ for the NES was an amazing game, but it was without save states in its original form, and is a **looooong** game. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/5 "2025-01-12T21:06:05Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > _Super Mario Bros. 3_ for the NES Agreed. > [@Disinfectus](#): > > the original _Sim City_. Agreed. I have a t-shirt with the OG _Sim City_ cover art on it the comments I get from millennials when I’m out running errands are legion. My contribution: _Heart of Africa_ for the Commodore 64. Oh. And the original _Tomb Raider._ It’s now available as a digital download for the Switch and yes, I bought it on day 1. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/6 "2025-01-12T21:07:20Z")
Does Lord of the Rings Online count?! It’s over 13 years old … but is still going. 🕶 (The current plan is to move the Servers from 32 bit to 64 bit.) ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/7 "2025-01-12T21:24:44Z")
I think a lot of the arcade games from the 80s and also Commodore 64 games hold up very well. They had little computing power to work with and therefore few opportunities to wow with graphics. So they had to design playable games. On the Commodore 64 I’d venture to say I’m the best Dino Eggs player in the world. I’ve been playing it since I was 12 or so, and still do. Using an emulator, it can be played for free, [offline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-play-my-games-offline-epic/1012848), and without hassle. It’s still challenging, unforgiving and I can play while listening to podcasts. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/8 "2025-01-12T23:27:42Z")
I have a PacMan cocktail table with over 60 arcade games from the 70s and 80s. The only games I haven’t gotten sick of are Scramble and Phoenix. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/9 "2025-01-12T23:30:59Z")
I still have a lot of love for several arcade games from the '80s: - Tempest - Star Wars (the first arcade game, with X-Y graphics, like Tempest) - Gyruss (essentially Galaga, but in a circle) - Gauntlet - Cyberball (futuristic American football, with robot players and an exploding ball) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/10 "2025-01-12T23:57:38Z")
I was mostly into **Punch Out!** , **Karate Champ** , and **Out Run**. Those were my go-tos for the arcade. For the NES, my big ones were: - **Dragon Warrior** : This was my introduction to JRPGs. I was obsessed with it back in the day, but honestly, it doesn’t hold up that well now (at least IMHO). - **Ultima IV** : Yeah, the interface was dumbed down compared to other versions, but it was still a fantastic game. - **Super Mario Bros. 3** : I’m not usually into platformers, but I have to admit, this one was something special. On the C64, I spent a ton of time with: - **Zak McCracken and the Alien Mindbenders** : Made by the _Maniac Mansion_ guys. I loved _Maniac Mansion_, but Zak was even better for me. - **Rocketball** : Basically a C64 take on the movie _Rollerball_. - **Archon** : A great mix of strategy and action. Like a chessboard version of **Mail-Order Monsters** (another classic.) ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/11 "2025-01-13T00:15:26Z")
Phantasy Star 3. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/12 "2025-01-13T00:16:00Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Star Wars (the first arcade game, with X-Y graphics, like Tempest) To clarify: the first _Star Wars_ arcade game. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/13 "2025-01-13T00:26:00Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > _Super Mario Bros. 3_ for the NES was an amazing game, but it was without save states in its original form, and is a **looooong** game. It remains my favorite Mario game of all time and it’s still a blast to play. Asking me to narrow down my list of beloved retro games to one single favorite is a Sisyphean task I’m simply not up for. Back in 2017, I bought a Nintendo Switch and was able to play the original Legend of Zelda game for the first time in about 30 years. I still had fun with it. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/14 "2025-01-13T00:55:16Z")
I loved, loved, loved what I knew as [Warsong](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langrisser:_The_Descendants_of_Light). ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/15 "2025-01-13T00:59:36Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Obviously technology continues to improve video game graphics. I recently had opportunity to play the old school game _Ultima IV_. I say that noone has the right to call themselves a “gamer” unless they’ve beaten Ultima IV as a shepherd. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/16 "2025-01-13T01:01:44Z")
For SNES: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Super Mario World Super Mario All Stars Super Mario Kart Yoshi’s Island Donkey Kong Country ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/17 "2025-01-13T01:29:49Z")
[Tenchu Stealth Assassins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenchu:_Stealth_Assassins): I just like sneak-around-and-kill-people games with lots of gimmicks, and this was a big early one for me. The [original Armored Core trilogy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armored_Core#Armored_Core). [SunDog: Frozen Legacy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SunDog:_Frozen_Legacy): The game was basically the embryonic version of space trading and simulation games. Trade between planets, drive around _on_ planets, meet in bars for information and black market equipment, replace and repair damaged or less powerful components in your ship, etc; lots of stuff that’s familiar these days, just much simplified and with much more basic graphics. [Star Control II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_control_ii) ---
**Author:** ![StringsandHammers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stringsandhammers/32/17933_2.png) [@StringsandHammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StringsandHammers)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/18 "2025-01-13T01:42:19Z")
Street Fighter II. Blanka was one of my go to fighters, nothing was more satisfying than eating an opponents face then when they tried to attack you back you electricuted yourself… Between those 2 moves you could lock them up for a good 30 seconds… ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/19 "2025-01-13T01:42:56Z")
Centipede. At the frat house we had an early arcade model with the big track ball. I wasn’t that good at it but I enjoyed it. What I really liked about it was the way the colors on the screen changed with every level. The longer someone played, the more interesting color combinations appeared. I’d just stand behind a better player to watch the colors! ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883/20 "2025-01-13T01:44:24Z")
For best for its time, I’ll go with the OG **Final Fantasy** on the NES. It doesn’t hold up in its original form, but it was groundbreaking. For best for its time that also still holds up, even in its original form on SNES, I’ll go with **Final Fantasy IV**. It’s one of the best JRPGs, even when compared to current games. Honorable mention to **Suikoden** , which despite my avatar doesn’t compete with Final Fantasy IV. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-retro-video-game-best-for-its-time/1012883.md?page=2)