It has been an exciting year or so for gamers with the releases of the new PlayStation and Xbox. However, for some, there is a growing demand to play retro games that they experienced for the first time when they were younger. A number of these retro games are now available in bars such as NQ64, which have become some of the most popular niche bars around the United Kingdom. However, which games are among the most popular old-school games that have enjoyed renaissances in arcades?
Excitebike: World Rally
One of the most popular NES games of the 80s was Excitebike: World Rally, and it has grown in prominence once again following the introduction of arcades around the United Kingdom. A renaissance was attempted in the 2000s, but the release of Excitebike 64 coincided with the final years of the Nintendo 64. The game was also revived back in 2009, as it was quietly released on the Nintendo Wii, as a WiiWare title. However, fans are once again able to relieve their childhood all over again by playing this title in many arcades around the world.
Donkey Kong Jr
Donkey Kong Jr was released in 1982 and was the sequel to the very popular Donkey Kong game. However, the main difference was that players instead controlled the opposite character, with Mario being the villain and Donkey Kong Junior trying to rescue his father. The game made its debut in arcades in the 80s, and was later released on a number of home platforms so that fans could enjoy the title from the comfort of their home. Such was the success of the game that it was re-released on a number of occasions. In 2012, it became available to players on the Nintendo 3DS and was also released on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2014.
Pac-Man
Very few could argue against Pac-Man being one of the most popular arcade games of all time. Even throughout all its titles, the principle of the game remained the same, and that ensured that the game never lost any of its popularity. This title is among the most popular at arcades, and has enjoyed various success stories on other platforms. One of the most popular was released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and iOS devices in 2007, as Pac-Man Championship Edition was released. The success of the game ensured that the title was still close to the hearts of fans, and we later saw the releases of Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 and Pac-Man Championship Edition DX.
Mario Bros
Mario Bros was released as an arcade game in 1983, and later became one of the most popular titles. It is still played by adoring fans in arcades to this day. The format of the game sees two plumbers- Mario and Luigi, try and exterminate creatures from the plumbing. The success of the first game immediately led to another arcade release in the form of Super Mario Bros in 1985. Fans can still enjoy both titles on the wide range of online stores available on all consoles.
Thomas Hawthorne is a contributor to Nintendo-power.com, covering a broad range of topics including news, business, technology, entertainment, lifestyle, and current affairs. He focuses on delivering clear, accurate, and accessible reporting that helps readers stay informed about important developments and emerging trends. With a reader-first approach, Thomas aims to provide useful context, balanced insights, and engaging stories that reflect the issues, events, and interests shaping everyday life.