Retro gaming is experiencing a full-blown renaissance. Pixelated art is back in style, and modern studios are taking notice. Many indie developers are bringing back the good old pixels for creative and financial reasons, with titles like Undertale and Celeste leading the way. Just as many devs are infusing their games with vintage nods that only die-hard retro enthusiasts might recognize.
Several contemporary titles are even reigniting nostalgia for classic games by incorporating minigames with retro-inspired designs, if not actual retro games for players to enjoy on next-gen platforms. Let’s hop on a nostalgia-filled trip down memory lane and dive into some video games offering a treasure trove of retro-style minigames.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
With 15 million units sold globally, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End stands as the best-selling title in the action-adventure franchise. Described by many journalists as a “work of art,” this PS4 classic offers an epic conclusion to Nathan Drake’s journey. Critics especially praised its graphical beauty, cinematography, and nuanced storytelling. Before jumping straight into action, the game’s fourth chapter treats us retrogamers to a delightful throwback.
So, slip into Nathan’s shoes and head home to meet your wife, who challenges you to a session of Crash Bandicoot. This retro Easter Eggs acts as a clever reference to Naughty Dog’s early history. Now that you’re back to 1996, it’s time to show off your skills – or fail miserably. This bizarrely difficult take on the PS1 classic is far more challenging than it seems. You can hit the slow mode option to curb the difficulty. If you still keep dying and restarting in frustration, know that there are story reasons why you can’t beat Elena’s high score from the get-go.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
It is fair to say that Call of Duty isn’t typically celebrated in retro gaming circles. Despite being one of the most influential FPS series in history, the lucrative entertainment franchise has faced its share of controversies, whether due to its questionable settings or gameplay issues. That said, Activision hasn’t overlooked retrogamers entirely. Released in 2012, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 explores the new generation of warfare that comes with a 21st-century Cold War. If this premise feels too realistic for comfort, players can always retreat to the past by exploring a selection of Atari 2600 classics.
These Easter eggs can be unlocked on the Nuketown map by shooting off all the mannequin heads within 30 seconds. When the Activision logo appears on a nearby TV, players may access 80s Atari games like HERO or River Raid. Surprisingly, this isn’t the franchise’s first foray into old-school gaming as 2010’s Black Ops introduced its own retro minigame with Zork, a text-based adventure from 1979 playable on the game’s computer terminal.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth raised the bar for a franchise already celebrated for its wealth of minigames. Previous installments such as Yakuza 0 already included playable retro arcade titles like Fantasy Zone and Space Harrier. The latest chapter in SEGA’s mobster saga stays true to this legacy. This time around, you’re free to roam around the streets of Honolulu and Yokohama to play emulations of past SEGA classics like Virtua Fighter 3tb and SpikeOut. When not picking up fights with random gangs, you can hop on a bike to drop off deliveries around town in a Crazy Taxi clone that may have served as a launching pad for a full-on Crazy Taxi reboot.
From a wacky card battler to an island management sim, many more activities await Ichiban Kasuga and his crew. Infinite Wealth also revived fan-favorite subgames like batting cages and gambling. If weary of the casino games at the Black Hibiscus, gamers can explore online platforms. Newcomers can grab free spins to get started. Often part of sign-up offers, these bonuses grant users extra chances of spinning the wheel. Top platforms boast thousands of slots to discover without registration or download. With free spins, gamers may even try yakuza-themed slots like Arrows Edge’s Yakuza.
Retro-inspired subgames are gaining traction within games. We could have mentioned other titles like Jujutsu Kaisen and its retro-style baseball minigame or Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus and its classic Wolfenstein 3D experience playable on an arcade machine. Some may dub retro minigames nostalgia-bait, others may call these hidden features clever or rewarding. When done right, these additions offer fun little detours and pay entertaining tribute to their series’ history.
