From Centipede to Zelda, these are the 20 best (and most influential) videos games of the '80s
The impact of video game development in the 1980s can't be overstated. It shaped the way we think about games today and influenced countless classics.
Ninja Gaiden
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Developer: Tecmo
Platforms: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Release Date: Dec. 9, 1988
Why this game mattered: NINJAS! This action-packed side-scroller took games to a new level by adding cinematic cut-scenes, which added much-needed depth to the genre. Players battle their way through several acts, though the game promptly slapped them in the face with crippling difficulty. While soul-crushingly hard to beat, Ninja Gaiden paved the way for more intricate and cinematic storytelling in games. The soundtrack, cut-scenes, and difficulty solidify its place on many "top games" lists over the years, and it has spawned several sequels
Fun fact: This game is one of the reasons the term "Nintendo hard" was coined. With respawning enemies, difficult jumps, and tricky platforming, it made it easy to rage-quit. But the ending is so satisfying, it's worth the anger.
Future games influenced by this title: There have been many other games in the Ninja Gaiden franchise, many other seemingly impossible games have now formed their own genre thanks to those who love a real challenge. Dark Souls is the most popular common example, but you can be sure the folks who built Sekiro: Shadows Die twice and Dead Cells had lots of Ninja Gaiden in their formative years.
Where you can play it today: Get frustrated to your heart's content with Ninja Gaiden on Nintendo Switch Online or on the NES Classic.
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