Its been nearly two decades since the ’90s but video game developers are fast latching on to the nostalgia of yesteryear to entice a new millennial audience that is purchasing every and anything throwback. Here’s a collection of newly released and upcoming video games that taps into what made gaming in the ‘Nineties’ so awesome.
Crash N. Sane Trilogy
Crash Bandicoot came out in 1996 on the PS1. The original three games are now being remastered for PS4, releasing this year. Skylanders’ developers Vicarious Visions is tasked with reinvigorating the dormant marsupial franchise for the modern era and every indication has shown that it’s a hit out the gate. As its been over two decades, additional refinements such as a remastered soundtrack, cinematics, and improved save systems are sorely welcomed.
Yooka-Laylee
Banjo-Kazooie and ex-Rare developers are working on the spiritual successor Yooka Laylee as Playtonic Games. Having a successful Kickstarter in the sum of 2.1 million, the excitement for a new platformer in the vein of collecting things has never been more louder. The dynamic duo of Yooka and Laylee must thwart the plans of corporate overlord Capital B and players only have to wait until April 11 for the full experience. If you can’t wait, you can check out Michael’s preview here.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Released in 1997, Final Fantasy VII changed RPGs forever. Credited as one of the games that brought the JRPG genre to the West, Final Fantasy VII holds a special place in the hearts of many 90’s-born gamers. Boasting a complex story full of some of the most memorable characters of all time, it’s no surprise that people are chomping at the bit for a remake. With JRPGs currently in something of a limbo, perhaps Final Fantasy VII can save the genre once again.
Sonic Mania
Sonic Mania features remixes of past Sonic levels and with SEGA giving the reins to its passionate fan-developers, the result is a return to roots 2D Sonic game that hopefully breaks the cycle. Sonic Unleashed here’s looking at you. The nostalgia factor is a big selling point in 2017’s Sonic Mania and from what’s been shown so far, this might finally be the one.
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Ocarina of Time was probably the greatest Zelda game ever so it’s only a matter of time before Nintendo takes the franchise to a new dimension by adding crafting, survival elements in Breath of the Wild. This is also the first mainline Zelda game to feature fully voiced dialogue. You can ignore the CD-i games.
Super Mario Odyssey
1996’s Mario 64 brought the series to the 3D for the first time. Super Mario Odyssey looks to its past to capture the charm with classic platforming and refinements with the addition of hat throwing. For the next look at the open world Mario game, Nintendo has stated that attendees of E3 2017 will have the first hands-on.
Digimon World Next Order
Nostalgia is a powerful beast, but not as powerful as a Wargreymon. Digimon, the unfairly placed second banana to the Pokémon series, premiered in the late 90’s to the joy of kids (including myself) everywhere. As the original Digimon are as iconic as they come, it only makes sense for Digimon World: Next Order to flaunt the most nostalgic Digimon for all 90’s kids to see. Digimon truly are the champions.
Power Rangers Mega Battle
What’s more 90’s than the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers? A bunch of teens with attitude that split their time between battling otherworldly monsters and hanging at the Youth Center, yeesh. Conveniently released near the upcoming movie, Power Rangers Mega Battle harkens back to the days of Nick at Nite and Tang, even if the core game is Rita Repuls-ive.
DUSK
There’s something real special about the style of 90’s shooters, from DOOM to Quake, but for some reason we’ve moved away from that to a much slower paced, realistic type of game. DUSK developer, David Szymanski, is looking to recapture that memory with a game that so clearly flaunts its inspirations while adding modern touches, such as sliding, to spice things up. The insane speed, hard hitting music, frantic combat, and classic level design of DUSK is everything I’ve been wanting from a shooter for years and it’s finally here.
The Disney Afternoon Collection
Few things are as nostalgic as Disney programming from the 90’s, as anyone who watched DuckTales or Darkwing Duck can tell you. The Disney Afternoon Collection is a compilation of some of the best and most nostalgia-inducing Disney games from yesteryear, such as Ducktales, and Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers. Life can be like a hurricane, but these classic games are here to stay.
