Looking back through 2016, the year was a great one for old school gamers, as retro gaming was brought to the forefront on several occasions.
Here are the top retro gaming stories of 2016 that prove old school games still have what it take to hang with the latest titles.
Final Fantasy IX Arrives On Mobile
Final Fantasy IX, the classic Square Enix RPG released in 2000, was unexpectedly launched for the iOS and Android in February, opening Zidane and his team's story to a wider audience.
In addition, Final Fantasy VII, which was released for the iOS in August 2015, finally arrived for Android in July, allowing players to relive Cloud and his journey to save his planet.
Original Pokémon Games Released On Nintendo 3DS
Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue, and Pokémon Yellow were pushed out for the Nintendo 3DS, with the ports able to be purchased through the portable gaming console's eShop.
Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue, which were first released in 1998 as the original games that launched the franchise, still look great, and their port to the 3DS helped pave the way for the popularity of mobile app Pokémon GO.
Capcom Announces Mega Man Mobile
Continuing the arrival of old games in new platforms is the Mega Man franchise. Capcom said that the first six Mega Man games, which were originally launched between 1987 and 1993, will be released for iOS and Android devices in January.
The move by Capcom could be a prelude to the developer's plan of reviving dormant franchises. There is a chance that new games for Mega Man, Darkstalkers, Onimusha, and other series are in the works, but with Mega Man Mobile, there is also the possibility that old games from these franchises will be relaunched.
Crash Bandicoot Remastered
At E3 2016, it was revealed that Crash Bandicoot will be remastered for the PlayStation 4. The titles that will be receiving the upgrade are the original Crash Bandicoot game, Crash Bandicoot 2, and Crash Bandicoot Warped.
It was then later revealed at this year's PlayStation Experience event that the Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy will not be a simple remaster though, as the bundle will feature a massive graphical overhaul while also adding new gameplay features.
The Hype For The NES Classic Edition
The biggest retro video game story of 2016 is the NES Classic Edition, which has taken the world by storm.
The mini console, which has a retail price of $60, offers old school gamers a chance to once again play 30 games from the Nintendo Entertainment System. Reviews on the device were great, but unfortunately, Nintendo has fallen short in keeping up with the massive demand for the NES Classic Edition, leading to frustrating supply shortages. About 200,000 units of the device were sold in the United States in November, and with supply for the NES Classic Edition simply not enough for the holidays, the hype surrounding it will likely extend into the next year.
What's Next In 2017?
Will 2017 bring forward as many treats as old school gamers received this year? We could not say for sure, but it is definitely something to look forward to.
