Gaming’s “golden age” — the late 1970s through the early 1980s — is largely responsible for the gaming industry as we know it. Many releases introduced to American audiences during this time — Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda, among others — still dominate the media landscape today.
In addition to the usual suspects, countless other still-successful franchises hit arcades and home consoles around the same time. Thanks to the creativity and innovation from developers worldwide and overwhelming public interest in gaming as a whole, modern enthusiasts continue to enjoy the same titles that captivated the gamers of yore.
These 10 revolutionary franchises enthralled enthusiastic gamers in the 80s and continue to do so into the 2020s.
Castlevania (1987)
This action-platformer from industry titan Konami hit Famicon Disk Systems in Japan in 1986, just one year before making their way to Americans’ Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) consoles. Gamers controlled vampire hunter Simon Belmont as he hunted Count Dracula. The franchise’s near-immediate commercial success brought the title to numerous new platforms, including home computers.
Today, gamers can find the vampire-slaying Belmont family in modern releases for home consoles, mobile devices, and even in Netflix’s Castlevania: Nocturne.
Prince of Persia (1989)
In action-platformer Prince of Persia, available to American audiences in October 1989, players navigate an unidentified playable character through Persia. Gamers fought through deadly dungeons to take down Grand Vizier Jaffar and save the princess. The critically-acclaimed title was developed primarily for Apple II but became available on other consoles.
Following the success of the initial release, Prince of Persia saw numerous adaptations. Fans can find more content in graphic novels, Lego sets, mobile games, and a recent big-budget silver-screen release. The most recent title, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, was released in January 2024 to positive reviews from both audiences and critics.
Mega Man (1987)
Regardless of your familiarity with Mega Man games, the character’s baby-blue humanoid form is undeniably recognizable. The action-rich title, developed with Nintendo home consoles in mind, pleased fans and critics alike. In the 80s release, the titular player-character Mega Man sought to destroy mad scientist antagonist Dr. Willy and his robotic toadies.
Mega Man remains an industry icon in 2025, having released a jaw-dropping 130 titles since 1987. Today, players can pick up a controller and enjoy Mega Man releases on modern home consoles and mobile devices.
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Street Fighter (1987)
Capcom’s Street Fighter, a competitive fighting arcade game, entered arcades in 1987. Players led novice martial artist Ryu through the stages of a brutal tournament. The beat-’em-up title, which drew influence from popular 1970s martial arts flicks, became a household name. Complex button combinations allowed skilled gamers to pull off elaborate, cinematic moves and dominate NPCs and their friends.
The IP continues to thrive nearly half a century later, partly due to multigenerational love for the franchise and enthusiasm from the competitive fighting game community, or FGC. Franchise fans can find their favorite fighters in the upcoming Capcom Fighting Collection 2, slated for sometime this year.
Metroid (1986)
Metroid, a sci-fi first-person shooter, introduced global audiences to now-beloved female protagonist Samus Aran. The title introduced exploratory gameplay elements that, combined with those from Castlevania, beget a subgenre known as “Metroidvanias.”
Find the galactic bounty hunter in 2021’s Metroid Dread, the franchise’s most recent — and bestselling — release. Fans can also expect more info regarding Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a new installment revealed by Nintendo in June 2024.
Ninja Gaiden (1988)
Ninja Gaiden‘s well-choreographed fights and invigorating soundtrack captured fans’ hearts, but we have this title to thank for bringing theatrical cutscenes to home consoles. In the cutthroat arcade title, play as a skilled ninja working with the U.S. government to bring down an evil cult.
Modern fans rejoice — in addition to NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black‘s release just a few days ago, fans can expect NINJA GAIDEN 4 in Fall 2025.
Final Fantasy (1987)
Even folks who’ve never played video games have likely heard of the Final Fantasy franchise. The OG release was an instant hit, and its success hasn’t stopped since. In the roleplaying game’s ’87 release, players enjoyed complex gameplay mechanics, captivating music, and rich storytelling.
Most modern gamers are no strangers to the IP. Since 1987, devs have gifted the world 16 entries — not counting the plentiful prequels and spinoffs that have also hit shelves.
Castle Wolfenstein (1981)
Castle Wolfenstein was the first installment of the Wolfenstein IP. In the game, which takes place during World War II, the player navigates an unidentified allied spy through maze-like levels to escape an SS-controlled dungeon. The title leaned into the protagonist’s spy role, implementing immersive stealthy elements that commanded audience concentration and strategy.
Those innovative elements wholly influenced the stealth genre and continue to draw massive audiences to modern releases. The franchise’s most recent title, 2019’s Wolfenstein: Youngblood, incorporated co-op gameplay.
Megami Tensei (1987)
Atlus introduced the Megami Tensei games to global audiences in the late 1980s with the release of Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei. Inspired by a novel of the same name, the game’s success led to still-beloved spinoffs like Persona and Devil Summoner, among others.
Metal Gear (1987)
In 1987, Konami and Hideo Kojima introduced the world to the Metal Gear IP and its slick protagonist, former Green Beret Solid Snake. The successful stealth title, much like Castle Wolfenstein, helped popularize stealth mechanics developers still implement today. The title also incorporated the overhead exclamation alert synonymous with the franchise
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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