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10 Iconic ’80s Games That Just Aren’t Fun Anymore

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Grew up during the 1980s, a time when technological advancements accelerated at an incredible pace, leading to intricate video games with well-structured narratives and expansive gameplay options. The transformation from early ’80s games to those produced towards its end is quite noticeable when compared. Regardless of the varying technical aspects among the games from that period, they can still be enjoyed given the right context.

To put it simply, while certain ’80s video games still feel fresh, others like Donkey Kong and SimCity haven’t quite managed to withstand the passage of time. These classic titles have a significant history and were groundbreaking when they first came out, but their appeal has diminished over the years and are worth revisiting infrequently at best.

Release Date – Circa Feb. 1989

  • Developer and Publisher: Maxis

SimCity represents a city-construction simulation game devised and distributed by Maxis, under the guidance of game designer Will Wright. In this game, players are assigned the role of urban planner, constructing a city right from its foundations. This includes managing financial resources effectively, utilizing natural resources wisely, and ensuring a prosperous, thriving population to fuel ongoing expansion and advancement.

Initially, it launched as the pioneering game in the now-legendary SimCity series. Subsequent games enhanced the original significantly. Given this context, it’s evident that the original SimCity seems rather constrained by today’s standards. Regrettably, it hasn’t aged as gracefully as one might expect, particularly when set against later installments and contemporary city-building games such as Cities: Skylines.

Release Date – Oct. 5, 1987

  • Developer and Publisher: Lucasfilm Games

Maniac Mansion is a point-and-click adventure game that was developed and published by Lucasfilm Games. This game tells the story of a group of college students, headed by Dave Miller, who decide to infiltrate the peculiar Edison mansion to rescue Dave’s girlfriend Sandy Pantz after she gets kidnapped by Dr. Fred Edison. Under the control of an evil meteor, Dr. Fred is trying to develop a zombie army and conquer the world.

Title such as Maniac Mansion significantly boosted the popularity of its genre back in the 90s and was instrumental in building Lucasfilm Games’ prestige. However, later studio productions improved upon this foundation, offering smoother mechanics and more coherent puzzle designs. In comparison, Maniac Mansion has a narrower focus and frequently presents puzzles that can be challenging to solve, giving it a somewhat outdated feel compared to its subsequent releases.

Release Date – Circa Sept. 1982

  • Developer and Publisher: Activision

Pitfall!” – A Trailblazing Platformer

In a nutshell, “Pitfall!” is a groundbreaking platformer produced and distributed by Activision. This game represents an influential milestone in its genre. The main character of this thrilling adventure is Pitfall Harry, a daring treasure hunter. He’s navigating through a lush jungle teeming with perils like scorpions, tumbling logs, and, you guessed it, the ominous “pitfalls” – obstacles that must be dodged to ensure survival and triumph.

It’s undeniable that Pitfall! left its mark on video game history, especially given its status as a groundbreaking title from an independent developer like Activision. Yet, when considering its longevity, it may not have aged quite as gracefully as some would prefer. Modern gamers might find the platforming controls to be somewhat rigid compared to contemporary standards, and the overall challenge doesn’t offer the same depth that later platformer games possess.

Release Date – Aug. 15, 1987

  • Developer and Publisher: Intelligent Systems and Nintendo

Metroid is an action-adventure video game, initially developed by Intelligent Systems and later published by Nintendo. It’s the beginning of a much-loved series and is set somewhere in the 21st century. The story revolves around Samus Aran as she combats the Space Pirates, who are under the leadership of Ridley. They have seized control of a research facility that has long been owned by their adversaries, the Galactic Federation.

The original Metroid game was almost groundbreaking for the Metroidvania genre due to its non-linear progression and multiple playable paths. Yet, the structure could have been better developed compared to later versions of Metroid or newer Castlevania series games. To put it simply, the original Metroid has a few too many idiosyncrasies in combat and control, which can make the overall experience seem less polished according to modern standards.

Release Date – Nov. 30, 1982

  • Developer and Publisher: Namco and Atari

players aim to overtake other cars and must finish a complete lap before time expires to keep playing.

Back then, Pole Position stood out with its pseudo-3D graphics, offering players an exhilarating feeling of speed and rivalry. Yet, over time, certain aspects of the game have become less appealing. For instance, the controls may seem excessively slick, especially when navigating sharp turns, making accurate maneuvering challenging. Moreover, the limited number of racetracks reduces its appeal for repeated play compared to today’s standards.

Release Date – Aug. 22, 1987

  • Developer and Publisher: Nintendo

1987’s “The Legend of Zelda,” published by Nintendo, marked the beginning of a series that would become one of gaming’s most recognized titles. The initial game focuses on a young hero named Link, who embarks on a mission to save Princess Zelda from the clutches of the malevolent Ganon during his conquest of Hyrule.

The Legend of Zelda is justifiably renowned for its time, but when stacked against later installments in the series, it doesn’t hold up quite as well. The game has elements that weren’t universally accessible and the gameplay may seem somewhat rigid by today’s standards. Its limited arsenal of weapons and ambiguous progression can make a modern replay a bit challenging.

Release Date – Circa June 1988

  • Developer and Publisher: Sega

Altered Beast is a beat ’em up arcade game created and distributed by Sega. In

In the ’80s, Altered Beast was known for being a tough game where players could dismantle enemies. Yet, compared to modern games, it appears rather unimpressive. Its combat system is overly basic and can be easily anticipated, with difficulty levels that often feel annoying rather than stimulating. As an arcade game, Altered Beast is quite brief, offering limited opportunities for extended play or replay value.

Release Date – Circa June 1988

  • Developer and Publisher: Konami

Metal Gear is a stealthy action-adventure game created and distributed by Konami, initially released in the U.S. under the Ultra Games brand. The story revolves around Solid Snake, a young FOXHOUND operative, who is tasked with penetrating an enemy jungle to find and eliminate Metal Gear, a tank armed with nuclear capabilities. Success relies heavily on stealth, as head-on conflicts usually result in defeat.

Back in the day, I was utterly captivated by the debut of Hideo Kojima’s legendary Metal Gear series – a title that ultimately paved the way for the epic Metal Gear Solid franchise we all know and love today. Yet, revisiting the original Metal Gear, I have to admit, it doesn’t quite stand the test of time compared to its successors. The stealth mechanics are still raw, and the gameplay, particularly in the NES version, feels a bit clunky and unpolished. While later installments significantly improved upon this formula, diving back into the original Metal Gear can feel less than gratifying for fans like me.

Release Date – July 31, 1981

  • Developer and Publisher: Nintendo

Donkey Kong is a classic arcade platformer, created and distributed by Nintendo. It serves as both the inaugural title in the Donkey Kong series and the broader Mario franchise. The game’s narrative revolves around the character Mario (originally named Jumpman), who embarks on a mission to save Pauline from Donkey Kong, navigating various perils such as tumbling barrels during his journey.

Initially designed as a spin-off of the popular character Popeye, this game retains some traces of its past. At times, it seems like it was created with another set of characters in mind. The platforming mechanics, for instance, are rather rigid compared to contemporary standards, offering limited control over Mario’s movements. In contrast to later installments in both the Mario and Donkey Kong franchises, the controls appear somewhat unpolished, making a modern playthrough more challenging.

Release Date – Circa Oct. 1980

  • Developer and Publisher: Namco and Midway

Pac-Man represents an engaging maze game originally developed and distributed by Namco (with Midway overseeing distribution in the U.S.). The basic idea revolves around a character called Pac-Man, who moves through a labyrinth, gobbling up pellets while dodging ghosts that are hot on his heels. However, when he finds and consumes special power pellets, the tables turn, allowing Pac-Man to chomp down on those pesky ghosts for a short while.

Despite being a timeless gem with a significant role in video game history, even the iconic Pac-Man isn’t exempt from the influence of time. This transcends the technical constraints of the early 1980s, as its sequels, particularly Ms. Pac-Man, offered more intricate and diverse maze layouts. In contrast, the original Pac-Man can appear overly simplistic and repetitive, which may diminish its appeal in today’s gaming landscape.

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2025-05-14 06:48

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