Though plenty of classic '80s video games have been resurrected thanks to platforms like Steam and the Nintendo Switch virtual consoles, there are a lot of amazing titles that have slipped through the cracks. Even in the age of digital platforms, some of the best games of all time can't be played on modern gear.
From quintessential movie tie-ins like Batman to classic Game Boy titles like Super Mario Land, the only way to play many older games is to dust off the old NES or Sega Master System. While a host of games haven't been ported to modern hardware, some of the best have left fans clamoring for their return.
Monster Party (1989)
Though it was never the most popular game on the NES, Monster Party was certainly one of its most unique titles ever. The game follows a young boy who is transported to a fantastical realm to help an alien fight an onslaught of monsters ripped from pop culture.
Unlike most platformers of the era that were straightforward with their level design, Monster Party required a bit of exploration to reach the bosses. Equipped with a trusty baseball bat, the player navigates a series of levels with absurd designs, and the boss battles are as silly as they are spooky. Unfortunately for Monster Party fans, it is likely not high on Nintendo's priority list when it comes to modern ports.
Castle Wolfenstein (1981)
Considering how far the Wolfenstein franchise has come over the years, it is impossible to overstate the importance of its debut title, Castle Wolfenstein. In the hit Apple II game, the player takes control of an Allied POW during WWII who must escape from a castle run by the Nazis.
Integrating stealth gameplay for the first time, Castle Wolfenstein had an important impact on some of the best FPS games from the ensuing decades. The game is entirely procedurally generated, and no two playthroughs were the same. Unfortunately for many fans of the franchise, the premiere title has yet to make its way to the Steam platform.
Operation Wolf (1987)
Arcades still ruled the land in the 1980s, and some of the best classic arcade games have sadly never seen a proper port. Operation Wolf was one of the original rail shooters and allowed the player to blast their way through enemy battalions while collecting important power-ups along the way.
The game was a smash hit in the arcade and saw several lackluster console ports including on the NES. For a game that was so influential, it has never been ported to modern hardware, and the intended gameplay experience can only be had on one of the original cabinets.
The Goonies II (1987)
Though a sequel to the classic film The Goonies never materialized, NES players got an original experience all their own. The player takes control of Mikey as he once again attempts to free his friends from the clutches of the dastardly Fratelli family.
Most of the game features a metroidvania platformer style, but occasionally the view switches to first-person and allows the player to search for additional clues. Though the game wasn't the most popular upon release, it has garnered a cult following who praise it for its cutting-edge FP gameplay and challenge. Considering its licensed nature, it is unlikely that it will arrive on Nintendo Switch any time soon.
The Adventures Of Bayou Billy (1988)
Konami ruled the NES, but The Adventures of Bayou Billy is now most remembered as one of the hardest games on the NES console. The user takes control of the eponymous character as he treks across Louisiana to rescue his girlfriend from a crime boss.
The game featured beat-em-up levels as well as rail shooter portions that used the light gun, and was a shockingly modern game for the 1980s. Punishingly difficult, the game featured a cutting-edge practice mode that allowed gamers to hone their skills to better beat the game. Because it has a reputation as a tough game, many modern players would jump at the opportunity to try their hand at taming the beast.
Ring King (1987)
Punch Out is usually the first title that comes to mind when recollecting NES boxing games, but Ring King was no featherweight either. The player takes control of a low-level boxer who punches his way through a series of enemies to become world champion.
Offering a profile view for the matches, the game featured silly special attacks that made the game more exciting than a standard boxing simulator. The game's two-player mode made it a perfect game for parties, and it would be a nice addition to the NES virtual console on the Nintendo Switch.
Ikari Warriors (1986)
Running and gunning was never as much fun as in the smash action hit Ikari Warriors. The classic arcade game was ported to the NES and cast the player as a mercenary who must fight their way through hordes of enemies to reach the village.
With bullets flying in all directions, the game is an over-the-top thrill ride that actually requires a fair amount of skill to master. Aside from basic run-and-gun, the player can also take control of tanks and helicopters to further add to the carnage. Though the PC versions have seen modern ports, the NES classic that most players are familiar with has yet to see the light of day on newer hardware.
Blades Of Steel (1987)
Generally regarded as one of the best NES sports games, Blades of Steel aimed for a more realistic hockey sim experience. The game of hockey is brought to life in stunning 8-bit action that allows players to score goals, make passes, and even get into fights.
Eschewing the arcade silliness of games like Ice Hockey, Blades of Steel used state-of-the-art sound technology to bring human voices to the NES. Though its predecessor, the aforementioned Ice Hockey, is on the Nintendo Switch, Blades of Steel is still waiting for its chance to get back out on the ice and wow modern gamers.
Super Mario Land (1989)
Shockingly, not every Super Mario game is available for modern gamers to enjoy, and Super Mario Land is one of Nintendo's most glaring omissions. Leaving the Mushroom Kingdom behind, Mario travels to Sarasland to traverse his usual pitfalls in order to save Princess Daisy.
Though the game is in black and white, the brilliant use of line work keeps things visually interesting throughout. On top of the regular platforming, there are several side-scrolling shooter levels that spiced up gameplay. Even though aspects of Super Mario Land have been integrated into the Mario mythos, the game hasn't yet been resurrected for modern consoles.
Batman (1989)
Movie tie-in games are usually destined for failure, but the 1989 Batman NES game proved that wasn't always the case. The player assumes the role of the caped crusader as he makes his way through several levels in pursuit of the villainous Joker.
Utilizing similar controls to games like Ninja Gaiden, the platforming gave the user the sense that they really were Batman. While there may have been extremely difficult sections, the game was never frustrating or unpleasant to play. Even though the movie is a beloved classic, the NES game managed to exceed it in quality, and fans usually have it at the top of their Nintendo Switch wishlists.