September 12th is a crucial day for gamers as it is National Video Games Day.
It is a day to remember the many games over the years.
This day is also the appropriate time to mention games that revolutionize the industry today with their game mechanics.
Pong
Released in 1972 by Atari, this game is simply table tennis but on an arcade machine with two dimensional graphics.
Created by Alan Alcorn, it was the first commercially successful video game and kicked off the massive video game industry.
Pac Man
This 1980 arcade game is very simple: Eat the dots inside a maze while avoiding four coloured ghosts.
It was groundbreaking in every way as it was the first maze-themed game alongside characters with personalities.
Tetris
Another straightforward game where you have to rotate falling blocks to form lines and clear off your screen to get the highest score possible.
The puzzle genre was born thanks to this 1984 game created by Alexey Pajitnov, a Soviet engineer.
It is considered the highest selling video game of all time and the first to be played on a hand held device.
Super Mario Bros
This iconic platformer lets you control Mario or Luigi, two plumbers that have to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser in the mushroom kingdom.
It is featured highly on the best of all time lists with its precise controls, and innovative side scrolling stages.
It spawned numerous sequels and characters that became Nintendo mascots.
Doom
This 1993 game sees players control a space marine who must face never-ending waves of demons from Mars to Hell.
It is nicknamed the father of first-person shooters, with its level design, addictive gameplay and the introduction of modding and multiplayer.
Metal Gear Solid
Solid Snake, a special ops soldier infiltrates a nuclear weapons facility to eliminate a threat from an evil special forces unit called Foxhound.
This 1998 PS1 game from Hideo Kojima prioritizes on stealth to sneak past enemies and avoid being caught.
A masterpiece that gave birth to the stealth genre and introduced cinematic cutscenes, complex storytelling and superb voice acting.
Grand Theft Auto 3
After being left for dead by his girlfriend, the silent Claude embarks on revenge by climbing up the ranks of a criminal underworld.
Released in 2001 by Rockstar Games, it was a game changer as it gave players the freedom to explore an open world 3D environment.
The player can perform main and side missions, drive plenty of vehicles, and play mini-games scattered around the city.
It also sparked controversy due to its violent content and mature plot, in which you are able to kill anyone you see.
World of Warcraft
Set in an open world fantasy universe, this heavily online game lets players create their own character.
They can explore many areas, participate in various quests, fight monsters, and make new connections along the way.
Blizzard’s game revolutionized online gaming and its longevity is still impressive to this day attracting millions of players online.
Wii Sports
A launch title for Nintendo’s Wii console in 2006, this game lets you play five sports: Tennis, Bowling, Baseball, Golf, and Boxing.
It was the first game to introduce motion controls by using the Wii remote and mimicking the actions used in these sports.
You can love it or hate it, but you cannot deny that it is a significant game.
It is the ultimate social gathering game with friends or family.
Minecraft
This sandbox game released in 2011 is about freedom and hasn’t aged at all.
You can craft and build anything from the raw materials and items you find in this gigantic three-dimensional world.
11 years after its release, millions of players still log in to create their next big project.
They wouldn’t have done so without this game.
To all the gamers out there, make sure to not miss Playcon happening at the MFCC Ta Qali between 30th November and 3rd December.
What is your favourite video game of all time? DM us and let us know!
