Recently, I completed a 100-percent run of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, sinking a huge amount of time into the game. With the holidays approaching, I the timing hasn’t been right to dive deeply into another game with a big time commitment. Thankfully, two gems released that I’ve had on my wish list since they were announced: Marvel Cosmic Invasion and Terminator 2D No Fate. Both of these games are easy drop-in, drop-out experiences with quick campaigns, and of course a HEAVY dose of nostalgia for this 90s kid.
Growing in the late 80s and early 90s, some of my favorite video game experiences were playing action / shooting games with my friends. The Konami X-Men arcade game was always a huge highlight, with Wolverine as my go-to character. I loved the way he’d hack and slash—it felt just like the cartoon. I’m happy to say that Marvel Cosmic Invasion totally scratched this itch for me. Not only is the game a very similar experience to the original arcade game, but it also has a fantastic online multiplayer system that allows players to drop into games and help others battle for the fate of the universe. The game takes just a few hours to complete, but has loads of replay value—especially with friends and family over the holidays.
Another favorite gaming experience I had during my childhood was the side-scrolling action of Contra III: The Alien Wars. Staying up late at sleepovers while a buddy and I battled our way through hordes of enemies, fighting to survive, was as good as it got for 90s kids. I haven’t really played a game since that gave me those same vibes—that is until Terminator 2D: No Fate. Not only is the gameplay similar, but it also is incredibly faithful to one of the all-time great action films, Terminator 2. Needless to say, I watched that film a lot as a kid, and playing Terminator 2D: No Fate is bringing back all the feels, while also having a quick completion time. I particularly appreciate that I can play a quick level and be done in five minutes; it’s a great way to let out some stress during the holidays.
I guess I’ve finally become the target demographic companies looking to make a few nostalgia bucks, and I’m enjoying the heck out of this phase. Thankfully, these recent releases are worth the money. If you’re a 90s kid and you have any of the same nostalgia that I do for these franchises, I highly recommend these games!
Featured Image: Reef Entertainment
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