Nintendois the oldest gaming company still around having started its journey into gaming in 1889 beginning by creating gaming cards. For this reason, generations have grown up with Nintendo and their games, from their days creating playing cards to the release of their early consoles such as the GameCube, and all the way up until now with the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo has been around providing entertainment for people for a long time.
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For this reason, many gamers feel as though they grew up with Nintendo, finding an element of nostalgia in the older games. Many developers have released games inspired by the nostalgia that Nintendo many brings fans.
6CrossCode
CrossCodeis a 2D RPG game released in 2018 on the switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. The game is heavily inspired by the Super Nintendo Game,The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, the third game in the 29-game franchise, also making it one of the earliest.CrossCode’sretro 8-bit style is reminiscent of old arcade games. However, it is the game’s resemblance toA Link to The Pastthat gives it that particular nostalgic feel for Nintendo fans.
The story-based adventure game is strikingly similar to the gameplay featured in the Zelda games as both are incredibly focused on a storyline and give players the opportunity to adventure, bringing gamers into a fantasy-like world. The game is like a more modern reboot ofA Link to the Pastmaking it a nostalgic play for lovers ofThe Legend of Zelda.
5Stardew Valley
Stardew Valleyis one of the most popular indie games available having sold over 20 million copies across its platforms one of the main ones being the Nintendo Switch. The game is mostly popular for its cozy gameplay and simple tasks allowing players to play at their own pace and enjoy the pretty visuals.
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However, for Switch players who have enjoyed Nintendo for a while, the game has an added sense of nostalgia for an older game that was popular on the Super Nintendo, Wii, and Wii U. Much likeStardew Valley, the game is based on players running their own farm. The creator ofStradew Valley, Eric Barone, was a lover ofHarvest Moonand was heavily influenced by it when creatingStardew Valley.This is why so many gamers who lovedHarvest Moonfind a sense of nostalgia and comfort when playing the game that was inspired by the Nintendo classic.
4Tanuki Justice
Another modern throwback to the iconic older Mario games is the gameTanuki Justice.The game is a platforming game similar to the Mario Wii games, however, with retro graphics giving players a throwback to Nintendo arcade games and the N64 classics. The game’s style is perfect for gamers looking for a bit of nostalgic gaming that will remind them of the iconicMario 64.
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These games have become a staple for Nintendo and are some of the games that define Nintendo classics both for their Nostalgia and what they have built as a franchise with the games that followed. WithTanuki Justice, players can enjoy these classics and remember what it was like playing the original, bringing them that sense of Nintendo nostalgia.
3Yooka Laylee and The Impossible Lair
Yooka Laylee and The Impossible Lairis a platforming game perfect for fans of theDonkey Konggames who are looking for a modern throwback to the Nintendo staple. The game was released in 2019 and features similar 2D platforming and graphics to some of theDonkey Konggames which were released in the 2000s, such asDonkey Kong County 2which was released on the GameBoy and theDonkey KongWii games.
It is clear when playingYooka Laylee and The Impossible Lairthat there are influences fromDonkey Kongthat give it a hint of old Nintendo Nostalgia, and it is a great game for fans ofDonkey Kongto try out on the Switch.
2Cuphead
Cupheadis a 2017 retro-inspired game with a vintage style and enjoyable platforming gameplay. The game has many retro elements such as graphics that resemble old cartoons and platforming gameplay inspired by Super Nintendo’sSuper Mario Bros.
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The game is reminiscent and will remind players of Nintendo classics such asContra and Gradius, Super Mario 3, and older the older arcade games Nintendo released in the 80s includingDonkey Kongand the OriginalSuper Mario.
1Shovel Knight
Shovel Knightis a 2014 gameheavily inspired by the 1987 Capcom gameMega Manwhich was created for and released on the first ever Nintendo console, theNintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game was platforming based, following Mega Man and his struggle against a mad scientist featuring 6 stages and a final boss battle.
The two games share a lot in common including 2D side-scrolling platforming, retro 8-bit style as well as adventure-based gameplay and storytelling. There are also elements of the Mario games with their similar style of platforming.Shovel Knightis definitely a throwback to old Nintendo and will remind players of these old-styleplatforming games with which Nintendo began.
There are a variety of modern games influenced by the Nintendo classics that helped define and make Nintendo and gaming what it is today. All of the above games are available now on the Nintendo Switch store for games looking for that sense of nostalgia or just a fun throwback.
