Whatever your age, it’s almost a certainty that you’ve enjoyed a stint or two on a video game at some point in your life – and whether you were the type of child who just couldn’t sleep at night until you figured out how to make it to the next level on Mario Kart or are the kind of adult who modern games like Call of Duty: Black Ops continue to keep up until today, the chances are that you have a fond memory or two of battling it out on screen to win the ultimate prize.
And if you were never the gaming type? We’re willing to bet that someone in your family was, and seeing the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog or Alex Kid once again is likely to evoke some sort of nostalgia even in you.
Whilst everyone has their own opinion on which games are the best, there are some that you’d be hard pressed to disagree on, and from Final Fantasy to Pac-Man, there are some that we’ll always love.
Despite the fact that the modern games of today are hard to beat when it comes to graphic quality and reaction times, there’s something we can’t help but love about those old-school, 2D games that are reminiscent of childhood.
Is this the definitive list of the most popular video games of all time? It might just be – and with millions of copies sold and names that would spark a moment of recognition in almost anyone, they are the games that have dominated over the last 30 years.
Pac-Man
This ancient arcade game might look incredibly basic to the modern eye, but boring, it was not. Almost everyone who was born in the eighties onwards will be familiar with the much-loved lead character, and as one of the first big games on the block, it has won its place in video game history forever.
Would it be much fun to play now? Perhaps not – but you can’t take away from those childhood memories.
Tetris
Another simplistic game that has been replicated many times since in modern games, Tetris was the frustratingly addictive choice that would leave you seeing floating blocks in your eyes even while you slept.
These days, more up-to-date twists on the game can be seen in the likes of Candy Crush and similar – all of which have proven equally as addictive amongst younger audiences.
Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
There’s no doubt that CS:GO is one of the most popular video games in the world, but the real appeal of this exciting creation is its prosperous e-sports pro scene. With big prizes and millions of fans, it continues to attract countless players each day, with many investing in game cases and skins that are worth a fortune and could prove a welcome nest-egg in the future. These rare items look good and are highly coveted amongst fans of the game.
Each case requires a key to open, which can be costly but could unearth you a prize of thousands of dollars, however, the odds are not great. Even so, there is a safe selection of websites that provides better odds and a wide variety of cases at better prices, making it superior to opening in-game in almost every way and that have been popular with those who are in it to win more than just the game itself!
Wii Sports
Heralding a new and interactive era for video games, Wii Sports was the game that got players off the sofa and burning off some calories in an immersive experience that let them play everything from golf to tennis from the comfort of their living rooms.
There’s no denying that this game marked a huge shift in the gaming industry, and for that it will always be remembered.
Sonic the Hedgehog
A 90s classic which has existed in numerous iterations since, Sonic the Hedgehog was the childhood favourite that stood the test of time, and is still available to be played on consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X today.
It’s come a long way since its Sega Master System days, but in our opinion the original will always be the best.
The Sims
A game beloved by everyone from children to university students, this strategic life simulation game, developed by Maxis, allowed players to engage in the daily activities of a virtual family in a suburban household near a fictional city.
Sound boring? Maybe. But it was also one of the biggest time thieves of all-time, with players finding themselves immersed in this virtual world for hours.
Super Mario Bros
A timeless classic that everyone loves, Super Mario Bros was so popular that it even sparked a smash-hit, live-action film which was released in 1993, and has continued to inspire a range of spin-off games since then.
Mario Kart remains a popular play on the Xbox until today, and will likely be around in some form or another for many years to come.
