With remakes and remasters of Resident Evil 4 and Metroid Prime Remastered being such huge hits, nostalgia for the old games we used to play has been at an all-time high. The Next Upgrade Editorial Team isn't immune to throwbacks, and it got us thinking about the games we grew up with. Maybe our favorite games will spark you to embark on your own nostalgia trip, too. Check out our choice video games growing up!
Super Mario Bros.
From Nintendo
“I am fascinated with the different worlds Mario is navigating and the obstacles he has to hurdle.” - Matt Balicudiong, Editor-in-Chief
Our Editor-in-Chief has always had a love for the Italian plumber since playing it in the original Game Boy. Lucky for Matt, Mario and Luigi are still going strong, and the franchise’s multitude of games can be downloaded from the Nintendo Store!
Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
From Nintendo
“One of my favorites was The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening just because it’s the first game I ever played on the Game Boy. It started my love for the TLOZ series, and I’m still playing the series to this day!” - Elaine Carag, Managing Editor
You can find the remake of the original Link’s Awakening and other games from The Legend of Zelda series on the Nintendo Store!
O2Jam
From Moby Games Official Website
“Rhythm games have always been my favorite since I was a kid! O2Jam was a popular online rhythm game that gained a dedicated following during its peak in the early to mid-2000s. I loved it for its addictive gameplay and diverse music selection, which made my childhood awesome.” Gracey Maala, Associate Editor
You can still relive the fun on this classic rhythm game on your Android device! Download O2Jam from the Google Play Store for a small fee.
Battle Realms
From Steam
“90’s kids are gonna love this! My favorite video game growing up was Battle Realms. This strategy game won me over because of how easy it was to play and how friggin’ cool it is. The Lotus Clan was—and always will be—my favorite faction, despite all the hate it gets. I even bought it off of Steam a couple years ago, and play it again whenever the mood hits. I toil…” - Karess Rubrico, Associate Editor
You can still play this RTS classic through Battle Realms: Zen Edition via Steam!
Microsoft Encarta MindMaze
“As a kid, I played Encarta's MindMaze a lot. Like most kids, I read a ton of fairy tales so I obviously had a love for castles and curses. MindMaze brings both as it takes its players to a cursed castle where we had to answer trivia to open doors, which led to a room with more doors and trivia to solve. I think almost all of the questions were also present in the articles found in Encarta.” - Gelle Arcega, Art Director
If you’re looking for something to stimulate your braincells while having fun, check out this Trivia Game Bundle on Steam!
Pokémon
From Nintendo
“I started with Pokémon Gold, but Pokémon Emerald was my all-time favorite. I played it to death, restarting it numerous times. I liked how vibrant it was compared to the previous Pokémon games. Plus, its side missions and Pokémon battles were really memorable as well, especially with its infamous Trick House. It was memorable because it was challenging at the time. I didn't have the mind to search up easy guides through Google, so I really sat down and thought about it. At home, in school, and church sometimes.” - Louigi Balao, Content Writer
You can find and play all the classics of the Pokémon games on the Nintendo Store.
Legend of Legaia
From IMDB
“I love RPGs because I get immersed with the plot and look forward to it unfolding as I play. I liked Legend of Legala not just because of the story but also because you had to unlock attack combos and I had a blast figuring out the list.” - Kitty Elicay, Content Writer
If you’re looking for modern takes of this classic RPG, check out this Reddit thread!
Monster Rancher 2
From Steam
“Discovering new monsters via ‘disc stones’--the in-game term for a random CD you can find in the house–was one of the amazing features I still can’t forget about Monster Rancher 2. Training the monsters and watching them grow into powerhouses was just icing on the cake.” - JR Carag, Content Writer
You can still play this classic monster training game via Steam, and even take advantage of new online features and battle with players around the world!
We hope you enjoyed our trip down memory lane, and that it inspired you to dig up your old favorites. Download new and classic games with the Philippines’ undisputed fastest Internet provided by PLDT Home and enjoy like you're a kid again!