Memorable memories.

Oh boy! Do you like nostalgia? No? Well too bad! In this months post I will mostly be reminiscing about old school games I've had the most fun on and that I can easily remember. It's gunna be a top five maybe ten, depends how well my memory serves me!.....Turns out its ten!

10. Black and White- PC. 

This game I remember playing on our family PC in 2000/2001 (if - ironically -my memory serves me right). I remember thinking at the time the game was huge and how crisp the graphics were! I loved playing it and been given the ultimate dilemma... Monkey, tiger or cow? Naturally the obvious choice was the cow, I mean what's weirder than a giant cow throwing a villager into the sea? That's right, nothing. For its time, the games morality choices genuinely made me think about what I'd do. Trying to get that perfect balance of power and the love of the people is something I just couldn't master.   


 

9. Secret of Monkey Island - PC. 

 I remember unwrapping this game and getting a wheel where you had to match the face on the screen when you loaded the game to get the code/ password for making it start, which as a kid I thought was ingenious! I think this was one of the very first games I'd played on the PC and remembering it just brings back good memories and the trial and error of matching everything with anything since I had no idea what to do at that young age. Then when they re-released it as the special edition and you could select the original graphics was just awesome! And finally the best part was the witty dialog which all these point and click games seemed to have at the time.







 8. Dynasty Warriors 2 - PS2.

 I didn't actually own this game. When the PS2 came out this was one of the games my neighbour got and I spent many a night round his till stupid o'clock in the morning attempting to kill everyone on the map. It's more about the memory of playing this with my buddy or my brother and feeling like an ultimate force, wiping out everyone who stood in our way. But there was one thing that put the fear in me...Lu Bu. If anyone has played this version of Dynasty Warriors, you will remember that Lu Bu was fucking nails! At the battle for He Lao gate (once again, memory is probably wrong) is where you encounter him first. All I remember is trying to kill him, Lu Bu not even flinching by my feeble hits, and him chasing me round the map until I died. But let me tell you, a mass of fist pumps were thrown when I did kill him! Ya Done Son!

7. Tetris - Gameboy. 

  

Surely everyone remembers the first time turning this on and hearing that classic tune and watching the blocks slowly tumble down? I sure as hell do! It was like a family game, you could pass it round and see who could get the highest score on one of the fast levels. I can still image my dad screaming at the screen when his triangle piece ruined his entire game, ending his "perfect run". Here's a link to that amazing music that just fits perfectly into this gem. 





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFlN1NMua5o

 

6. Super Mario Bros - NES. 
Once again, those first seven notes that every child of this generation and more have implanted into their mind. This is one of the games that started it all. Its learning curve was just right and if you died you knew it was your fault. I liked accidentally finding one of the secret pipes and being happy with myself for my lucky stumble! I honestly don't know what else to say about this absolutely classic game. It is one of my favourites but the next five are the ones that I've spent the most time on.












  5. Fable: The Lost Chapters - PC.

 Whilst this was only released in 2004, and it is the most recent from all in the list, it still deserves to be in this spot. From the dialog that the N.P.C's say as you pass or during quests, to the combat system, to watching your hero grow and become either an angel or a demon of the world. It truly was, and still is an epic game (possibly still my favourite out of all the fables. Sooo happy the anniversary is this year!). Once again the choices in this made me think about what to do! And if my brother's reading this (which he should cause he's a fan!) it has one of the most memorable and annoying quotes in any game.
"Your health is low. Do you have any food? Or potions??" FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU...






 4. Pokemon - Gameboy.

 Pokemon is quite possibly the game I've spent the most time on as a kid. I remember my brother and I using the gameboy link to get all the starter pokemon and just fucking, shit, up! I think I even remember my team (Obviously first three, then Gyarados, Raticate, Pidgeot). Pokemon is one of those games where you can get lost in the world, trying to (pardon the cliche) "catch em all!" Then when you caught one that you thought was different you could test it. That sense of freedom in the game where the player makes the choices is a big thing for me. And when you own the gym badges, a sense of pride in yourself and your Charmander for clawing the shit into an Onix. Even after beating the Elite Four, the game still managed to surprise you with your Rival (Buttucks) turning up for one final battle. Honestly this game was, and still is, an epic quest, and definitely deserves this spot. The next are possibly my all time favourite games though and hopefully you'll agree. 

3. Final Fantasy 7 - Playstation.

 Final Fantasy 7 was the first game I'd had on my own Playstation waaay back in '97. The way the game opened up its world slowly but still managing to keep it story driven and is one of my favourite things in video games today. Once again, like Pokemon, the choice of who was on your team, was given to the player and each time I spoke to someone about FF7 the team always changed. The summons were something else as well. Admit it. The first time you used Odin or Knights of the Round, it blew your small mind didn't it!? OH or when you got the Golden Chocobo and wondered across the ocean to GET Knights of the Round and Mime. It felt amazing! Or when you eventually take down Ruby and Emerald, the sense of accomplishment is overwhelming. The list goes on. The story, granted, is long winded, but it manages to keep drawing the player in more and more as it goes on. Even the music, be it battle music or the boss fight music, is imprinted in my mind. Final Fantasy 7 definitely left a mark on my childhood and I still play it even to this day. For those that haven't played it...DOOOOO ITTTTTT!

2. Donkey Kong Contry - SNES.

  

For those who know of JonTron (which should be uuuurvybody!!) you know how much he loves this game. Well, he isn't alone...I fucking love this game! The SNES may be one of my favourite consoles I have owned. The colours were vibrant. The games were fun and original, and this is just one of those games. The introduction just brings a smile to my face. I loved the animals you could use to help with the levels. I loved and hated the barrels levels. Riding in a mine cart was a mass amounts of fun. The backgrounds for each of the different types of worlds were unique as well as the music, especially the eerie music when you were in the mines or tunnels. Then there was the boss battles, where the background was surrounded by banana's, were done as a steady learning curve. Finally there's King K. Rool, the final boss. It was a pattern boss but I didn't mind, I was young and it's aimed at kids so it makes sense to. The music that accompanied it was classic. Starting as a jaunty sea tune, then slowly turning into a serious battle theme. And you have to remember, this was made using very little space on the SNES cartridge. Donkey Kong Country is definitely one of my favourite childhood games, only to be topped by this....




....
Wait for it!



 
1. Super Mario World - SNES.

 That's right ladies and gentlemen! Super Mario World, once again on the SNES. The music. Perfect. The colours. Perfect. The introduction to Yoshi. Perfect! I spent a helluva long time on this epic. When you first get the cape and fly around the levels it is an awesome feeling. Fighting the bosses and watching the animation of how Mario destroyed the castle is witty and funny. When you finally found star road all by yourself, especially at a young age, you felt smart. The game is just full of memorable parts and seeing Bowser in a flying clown was unreal! Maybe I love this because I managed to complete it without any help from anyone at that age. Or maybe it's because it was one of the first games I actually completed fully. Whatever it is, Super Mario World is my favourite game from my childhood and has given me the most memories which make me feel young again. 


If anyone has any comments, maybe your team on FF7 or Pokemon, let me know! Or tell me what your favourite old school games are. Cheers!


O.E.G.