To talk about the best retro video games & merchandise, we first need to define when a video game is considered retro. The consensus on the elements of a retro video game are its pixelated graphics, simple gameplay and its release having been between the 1980s and the 2000s, while for a vintage video game the threshold is 1990s or earlier. All original retro video game merchandise related to certain franchises is valued highly by aficionados: be it their toys, promo-tees mint-condition cassettes and discs, themed employee merch of that time or any other game-themed vintage or retro gaming merchandise produced at the time. You will see several of them in this blog.
So, we have compiled a list of the best retro video games. Get ready to take a dip into nostalgia that is going to take you straight back to that distant day you ended up skipping school due to rain and decided to spend it playing games on your PlayStation while your mother prepared your favorite snacks.
List of Cult Classic Retro Video Games
Donkey Kong
About the game
Donkey Kong was a Nintendo Arcade game released back in 1981. The franchise effectively introduced the genre of side-view jumping games and inspired a plethora of arcade retro video games during that time. It also single-handedly saved Nintendo’s operations in America from bankruptcy at the time.
The retro video game revolved around a giant ape who kidnaps Lady (later named Pauline), making her a damsel in distress who had to be rescued by a carpenter called the ‘Jumpman’. *Drum Roll* This character is what became the famous plumber with the red hat and blue overalls, Super Mario. It’s ironic that the character was named after one of Nintendo’s landlords in America, Mario Segale, who stormed in to collect his money from the company when it was struggling to even manage its rent.
Donkey Kong’s Retro Video Game Merchandise
As you can see below, all Donkey Kong merch goes really hard and has a liminal vibe to it. It goes for good money and is extra sought after if it is deadstock. The tee in the middle is a rags find by yours truly.
Super Mario Bros
About the game
While the first edition of the iconic Super Mario Bros series was released in 1985, the first time that Mario and his brother Luigi (appearing as plumbers from New York) starred in a game was in 1983 in Mario Bros., tasked with defeating creatures rising from the sewers of their city. It is easily one of the most important events in gaming history.
Since then, the beloved red plumber has appeared in over 200 games since its inception, evolving into a cult-classic icon of the gaming industry for especially the millennials. Mario Kart has also been a part of the childhoods of many Gen-Z. Mario’s signature phrase “It’s-a-me!” has made it recognizable among even those not affiliated with the gaming industry.
Super Mario Retro Video Game Merchandise & Collectibles
You will find all sorts of Super Mario merchandise selling for crazy prices, be it employee uniforms, watches, bags, toys, clothing, shoes you name it. The franchise has just left that sort of legacy over the years and to this day continues to do that. This article talks about how an unopened 80s’ Super Mario Bros’ retro video game cassette sold for a whopping $114,000!!
Sonic the Hedgehog
About the game
Sonic The Hedgehog debuted back in 1991 on the Sega, becoming the company’s mascot to compete with Nintendo’s extremely popular Super Mario. This retro video game franchise revolved around a blue hedgehog that runs at super speeds and strives to foil the plans of his arch-nemesis, Doctor Eggman. The game turned 30 years old 3 years ago and the blue hedgehog has still held its charm over the years.
The franchise saw an extremely vast array of Sonic games and their versions released on many consoles and arcades, following Sega’s exit from the market in 2001. One particular game that holds immense nostalgic value for our writer is Sonic Rivals, released on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2006.
Sonic’s Retro Video Game Merchandise
Retro sonic merchandise like the tees shown above are extremely sought after by retrogaming enthusiasts. Even newer Sonic-themed merch like the Puma shoes shown above have an aesthetic appeal. You can also find high value promo tees, jackets and hats like Sonic x CocaCola for example.
Crash Bandicoot
About the game
With the advent of Sony in the gaming industry with their legendary PlayStation 1 in 1994, the company quickly realized the need for a mascot for their console like Nintendo’s Mario and Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog. So, in 1996, enter: Crash Bandicoot. It is a story about a genetically enhanced orange Bandicoot whose time on Wumpa Islands is often interrupted by his creator and the game’s antagonist, Dr Cortex.
For Gen Z, Crash Bandicoot has become what Super Mario is for the millennials. The series included many iconic games early on on the PS1, PS2 and the PSP. While new games are still released, the franchise is not as popular as it used to be initially and is admittedly overshadowed by Sonic and Mario. Retro video games like Crash Tag Team Racing and Crash: Mind Over Mutant released in the 2000s are still memorable.
Crash Bandicoot’s Retro Video Game Merchandise
Again, there is just something about the retro video game T-Shirts that is just very aesthetically pleasing to the eye. All the prints shown are found on vintage Crash Bandicoot T-Shirts and sell for good money.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA San Andreas)
About the game
“Grove Street – Home”, this game gave us one of the most iconic quotes in gaming history. And then, “All we had to do was follow the damn train, CJ!”, is another iconic quote whose humorous appeal continues stays alive to this day. Countless boys became men on the streets of San Andreas given the ending of the game (no spoilers). Not to mention the Ten Green Bottles in Los Santos:)
GTA San Andreas turned 20 years old this year and has left a legacy just as big, if not bigger than the other games. GTA revolutionized open-world game play through this iteration and had a significant impact on the culture of its time. Its fanbase still stays strong with many still asking for a remastered version of this retro video game. It was just that good. Its vivid locations, memorable dialogues and unique missions have enabled the game to permanently engrave itself in the hearts of its OG players.
About GTA San Andreas Merchandise
Since the game is not as old as the other franchises, you are not going to find many similar inspired GTA-themed vintage clothing. However, these GTA San Andreas x Carhartt jackets are downright collectors’ items. Story has it that these were gifted to GTA developers and employees in 2004 when the game was released.
Timeless Retro Video Game Favourites
Undeniably, the following retro video games are extremely popular but we separate them from the ones we have discussed so far given the incomparable legacies left behind by the former. Retro video game merchandise of the following titles is usually not as highly sought after but some can still go for good money.
Spyro
The Spyro franchise started back in 1998, created to be the second PlayStation mascot after Crash Bandicoot. It was a platform game with the main protagonist being a small purple dragon, Spyro, tasked with freeing his fellow dragons from crystal prisons scattered around the world. Its distinct visuals have ensured the game stayed memorable to the OG players to this day. If you didn’t get a chance to play the original retro video games of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, you can play their N’Sane and Reignited trilogies, respectively. These are remastered versions that were released on later consoles and garnered praise.
Tekken
Tekken has left a legacy in 1v1 combat retro video games, with its first iteration releasing in 1994. It was developed by Namco (now Bandai Namco) for Arcades to compete with Sega’s ‘Virtua Fighter’ and alongside made available to play on PlayStation consoles, and later Xbox as well.
With its mix of many memorable characters (the main character being Kazuya and later on also Jin Kazama), fun combat and the story revolving around the King of the Iron Fist tournament and the conflict between the Mishima family, the franchise has made its place in the hearts of the OG gamers and is still going strong to this day, with Tekken 8 just having released. Playing Tekken 5 on the PSP was especially memorable.
Dragon Ball: Budokai Tenkaichi series
For the majority of anyone who had any remote connection with anime while growing up, or loved going through Cartoon Network in the evening, it is impossible for the Dragon Ball franchise to not have been a big part of their childhood. Since the series has been around since 1989 and continues to this day, many games have been released and continue to be released.
The Dragon Ball: Budokai Tenkaichi and Shin Budokai series saw some iconic retro video games released during the 2000s which hold good nostalgic value for many Gen-Zers. Its vibrant character designs and vivid special moves combined with the pixelated graphics were incredibly fun and pleasing to watch.
Underrated Retro Video Game Gems
GTA: Vice City Stories
“Not only is this the greatest game on PSP, it also leaves a large percentage of the PS2 back catalogue looking ordinary” – PlayStation 2 Magazine (UK). Personally, this is the most underrated game I have ever come across. While some might argue it is not as iconic as Vice City and San Andreas, it really deserves to be regarded as one of the greatest retro video games of the 2000s.
The game was set as a prequel to GTA Vice City, with its events occurring in 1984, roughly 2 years before the events of Vice City. This game also introduced the element of “Empire Building”, which allowed the main character Victor to take over properties from enemy gangs and operate businesses on them. With an engaging and emotional story line, an improved Vice City, memorable characters and certain gameplay mechanics that were truly innovative at the time, it should be a must-play in all retrogaming catalogues.
Bomber Man
The Bomberman franchise debuted in Japan in 1983. While the gameplay is seemingly simple (yet extremely fun), the plot is intense. The game is based around a “Bomberman” who made bombs day and night in an underground facility, but he longed for freedom and decided to escape when he heard that robots who manage to reach the surface become human (giving me major Eren Jeager vibes).
The many iterations of this retro video game over the years included both single player campaigns and multiplayer modes and often incorporated grid-based gameplay. Many generations have gotten to enjoy this eponymous character and his bomb-making skills, but perhaps due to its unconventional gameplay it hasn’t been given the love or recognition it deserves.
Some More Retro Video Game Merchandise
If you come across any retro video game employee apparel or uniform like the ones above, snatch it with your eyes closed. The above shown set in purple ended up selling for about $1000!! Retro video game cassettes are also incredibly sought after and sell for crazy money. Retrogaming bags, too.
Conclusion
So, as you must have experienced in the article, the world of Retrogaming is incredibly rich with its vibrant characters, aesthetically pleasing pixelated visuals and at times the absorbing liminal sceneries. It tells us that it has always been about the joy, fun and creativity that these pixels bring to us and not the complexity and HD graphics. Honor the legacy of gaming’s past by diving into this world and reliving the booming era of the best retro video games.
If you are also an admirer of vintage cartoons alongside retro video games, feel free to check out this article! Will be having more soon. Happy gaming!🎮