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The 4 Retro Gaming Classics & Their Modern Counterparts

Simon Slangen — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:00:45 +0000

People like the feeling of nostalgia, and that’s a fact. The fun of reliving old experiences is simply undeniable. Even when death arrives, people hope to see their past flash before their eyes.

This is one of the reasons we never let go of those classic retro gaming classics like Pong and Space Invaders. The fact that I’ve got an eleven year old sister who knows all about Pacman (way before her time) just confirms my theory.

But even more interesting than solely reflecting on the past is to compare it with the future. I’m not talking about a Zelda versus inFamous comparison here, but about a comparison with the modern remakes of those classics we all hold so dear in our hearts. If you’re curious what people did with Pong (amateur acts of love, not corporate franchise milking) in the last 35 years, or with Breakout in the last 30, read on.

(1) Pong

Starting chronologically, Pong was released in 1975 and was considered one of the first real computer games available to the public. In that time, people would gather around an arcade machine the size of a decent fridge to steer your bar across the screen. This was before artificial intelligence, so it was a social experience, and one that gamers could keep up for hours. Pong was the prelude to all we have today, and it’s interesting to see what it has become.

Pwong 2

Pwong 2 is a flash game, created by JGames. You can play with a friend, or against the computer on several difficulty levels. And believe me, it gets difficult.

This Pong adaptation takes a different turn (pun intended) by putting multiple balls in the game, allowing you to shoot paddles sky high and introducing special upgrades like curved, bigger and sticky paddles. This classic game gives you everything, except a moment to catch your breath.

(2) Breakout

Breakout is similar to a one-sided Pong game, trying to hit and break away all up-lying blocks. This game was the first game in color, even while they were still using black and white screens, as they’d overlayed the screens with colored strips of cellophane.

The game was considered to be one of the most influential arcade games ever, and rightly so. Even these days, it’s a game you’ll find on nearly every cellphone, and sometimes even on iPods.

Uber Breakout II

What would you get when you bring Breakout back to the drawing table. Twice. Uber Breakout II! This game literally takes a whole other turn with the franchise. You control two dependant paddles on the edge of a circle, while trying to hit all of the bubbles inside.

This classic game not only asks you to be agile, but also requires you to have the reflexes of a cyborg. Because of the shape of the bubbles, the ball can fly nearly everywhere, so you better be ready. And then they introduce special bubbles.

(3) Space Invaders

Space Invaders was a forerunner of modern day shooters. That’s right, next time you play Counter Strike or Crysis, you can think back to these blocky guys.

The concept was rather simple. Shoot down all the descending aliens, but don’t let them shoot you. It was one of the first games involving a computated enemy, and although there was no real artificial intelligence, those blocky alien guys were deemed creepy as hell.

Space Mutants – From Space

Space Mutants – From Space keeps most of the original gameplay intact. When looking at the imaginary changelog, most notable are the increased fluency and the updated graphics of the game.

However, this Space Mutants game also comes with an upgrading system to customize your little tank. With the points earned by shooting our alien friends out of the sky, you can reinforce your armor, increase your speed, and so on.

If you enjoyed Space Invaders back in the old days, you should certainly give this one a try. Even ported to current-day technology and with an integrated upgrading system, it’s still more than obvious whose grandson you’re playing with.

(4) Asteroids

In Asteroids, you need to score as many points as possible by destroying the rocks that would otherwise hit and crash your ship. Shooting big rocks, result in slightly smaller rocks, and before you know it you’re flying through an asteroid minefield.

This highly entertaining game was released on arcade machines in the late seventies and was an instant hit. You can play the classic version of the game here.

Asteroids Revenge III

In Asteroids Revenge III, you play with an asteroid who was living the quiet life – the interstellar dream – when spaceships arrived and started shooting down his friends and family. Powered by revenge, this asteroid will try to serve justice, and crash these evil spaceships.

Asteroids Revenge III certainly is an entertaining game, not the least because of the concept. When you proceed in the game, you’ll receive speed upgrades and will be able to control a whole bunch of asteroids.

Good remakes, or do you prefer the originals? Tell us what you think in the comments. Also, to find out how to download flash games and how to play Kongregate games offline.

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High-End Gaming From Your Browser Via InstantAction

Simon Slangen — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:00:32 +0000

These days, flash games still make up the major part of in-browser gaming. True, there are some real beauties here, but the platform has known its golden years.

The dawn is breaking. We’ve seen upcoming services that allow high-end 3D gaming from within your browser. In the past, we took a look at the Unity webplayer and Quake Live.

More of these 3D webgame portals pop up, websites where you can play great games on the go, wherever you are. One of those places is InstantAction.

InstantAction

InstantAction is the place to play high-quality in-browser games, and the slick interface makes it incredibly easy to join up with friends, or find a room that fits your needs. With a constantly growing user base of already over a million registered users, the popularity of InstantAction is obvious.

The best thing about InstantAction games is that you can play them anywhere, anytime. No need for big downloads and long waiting times.

All you need to download is a browser plugin and some basic files – altogether a few Megabytes – and the rest is streamed to your system. Supported browsers are Firefox 3, Internet Explorer, Safari 3 and Chrome. All games work on both Windows and Macintosh computers. Sadly, Linux isn’t supported yet.

The Games

Mostly focusing on multiplayer entertainment, InstantAction currently hosts about eight games, ranging from platforming to third person action.

Fallen Empire: Legions

This game comes as a successor to Starsiege: Tribes, a great sci-fi shooter game of times past.

Play with up to 32 people online in this Third Person Mech Shooter. Jump and fly around the levels, and be sure to keep your finger on the trigger.

Marble Blast Online

This platformer, in which you play a huge rolling ball marble, is the latest in the Marble Blast series. The online InstantAction version features tons of different and challenging maps.

Play with up to 8 people, and participate in this race against the clock to catch the most gems.

Galcon

A Real-Time Strategy game, where people send ships to conquer planets around them. The number on the planet indicates the needed number of ships to take it over. Once in your possession, this planet will facilitate ships as well.

The game can with up to 8 people at a time. Fly around the miniature universe and try to beat the other players to the punch.

Rokkitball

Rokkitball – as the name silently hints – is best described as soccer with big-caliber weaponry. Shoot a mechanical ball across the arena and try to score. If this is the feature of sports, count me in. Play this team-based game with up to 8 people.

Ace of Aces

Based on an old retro game, this flying simulator based on World War II will literally sweep you off your feet. Conquer the skies in a multi-player dogfight and rewrite history.

Zap!

An arcade-shooter, in which you control a powerful triangle plane. Shoot down the other ships, before they do the same to you.

Five game modes can be played in this multiplayer arcade game, including capture the flag and Zone Control.

Think Tanks

Also available via Xbox LIVE Arcade, this cartoony tank shooter can help to take some pressure off. Blow other tanks wide across the levels, and victor on the grassy hills.

With up to 8 players, you can participate in Deathmatch and Scrum – which is basically soccer with tanks.

Lore: Aftermath

Another Mech-based shooter. Get face to face with other Mechanized Assault Vehicles or MAVs. Choose your weapons, customize your MAV and get rolling.

Before heading off, check if your computer is up for the job. Below are some basic specifications.

System Requirements

PC/Windows (XP or Vista)

DirectX 9.0c (Windows XP) or DirectX 10 (Windows Vista™)
Processor: Pentium® IV 2.2 GHz, Core® 2™ Duo 1.6 GHz, AMDAthlon™ 2.08 GHz or better
RAM: 512 MB of available system memory
Internet Access Required

Mac OS X (10.4.11 and above)
Intel® chipsets only
RAM: 512 MB of available system memory
Internet Access Required

These are the base requirements, these might vary depending on the specific game. You can check the game-specific requirements here – also for GPU information.

What are you waiting for? Give InstantAction a try and let us know what you think about it, in the comments.

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5 Sites To Play Old Computer Games Once Again

Lee Mathews — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:13:06 +0000

I don’t know about you but I’m not much into fancy-pants 3D first person shooters. I can’t be bothered to build a massive gaming rig, blow $500 on a video card, and figure out what custom weights give me the best mouse response.

I’ve got a WII, and I love it, and one of the big reasons I do is for the emulation. Sadly however, I can’t bring my WII to work or to the coffee shop down the street – but I can bring my laptop, jump on their WiFi and fire up these four awesome sites for a quick old school gaming fix!

VirtualApple (Apple II and Apple IIGS)

I don’t know about you but every now and then I get a craving to hunt square rabbits, hire unfit workers, make them walk too far and then lose three days because I’ve got scurvy. Virtual Apple always satisfies my Oregon Trail fix; but don’t other classics like John Elway’s Quarterback, Crystal Castles, and Max Headroom (don’t lie, you remember Max Headroom).

c64s.com (Commodore 64)

My family’s first computer was the UPS-brown Commodore 64, so this one really takes me back. I even remember “modding” the case to the newer, more angular style when it came out. Yikes. Thrill to such Commodore favorites as Zork, Wizard’s Lair and Pakacuda. The site has all the titles categorized by genre and features screenshots – further underscoring the real graphical prowess of the C64!

Virtualnes.com (Nintendo Entertainment System)

vNes has a huge catalog of NES cartridge titles available for play on their site via a Java-based emulator – 765 of them to be exact. I’ve noticed a few problems with slowness on a few titles, but all in all it’s an excellent place to play old games online and satisfy your urge to jam on Super Mario Brothers, Zelda, or one of my favorites: Ivan Stewart’s Super Off Road.

Playnes.net (Nintendo Entertainment System)

Another big catalog of NES titles, but you’re able to register which gives you the ability to save states in the games you’re playing. You can even open other people’s states – meaning that when your buddy gets stuck trying to battle through the ninjas, you can swoop in, rescue the President, and prove just how bad a dude you really are.

GetBack.Com Arcade

Unlike the rest of the sites I listed, GetBack isn’t strictly a gaming site. It’s kind of a “throwback culture” site. The upside is that they do have several games in their arcade that you can play, like Intellivision Backgammon and River Raid.

What about you? Where do you go to satisfy your vintage gaming urges? Let us know!

(By) Lee Mathews is a blogger who writes to share downloads, links, and tech advice with other slightly frustrated users at Unsightful.com.

Did you like the post? Please do share your thoughts in the comments section!

New on MakeUseOf ? Get cheat sheets and cool PDF guides @ www.makeuseof.com/makeuseof-downloads/

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