Videogames have come a long way from the days of Pong and Space Invaders. From as far back as 60 years ago, we’ve been running, jumping and dodging projectiles on everything from arcade machines to our mobile phones. eSports have become high-earning professional competitions, with some of the more popular esports competitions sporting prize pools of millions of dollars. With a combination of technological advancement and innovative game design, we’re a far cry from the pinball machines on darkened arcade floors.

Many of us have happily been along for the ride, as technological development has brought gaming to a scale of consumer engagement rivalling that of any other major entertainment sector. One could arguably go as far as saying that our gaming experiences form a part of our personal development now. A lot of us remember our first jump in Mario, or the hours of playtime we spent in arcades. While the latest and greatest games are always drawing people in, many older videogames are still juggernauts in their own right. Nostalgia is a strong motivator, and many older titles are still quite competitive these days. If you’re somebody who loves a classic whether it’s slots, fighting games or racing sims, here’s a couple of popular retro games that prove just how significant they are to the growth of the esports genre.

Street Fighter 2

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At the time of its release, Street Fighter 2 was an instant hit. Going on to become developer Capcom’s most successful software title, Street Fighter 2 was the first arcade game that allowed players to compete directly. It was the first game to implement a working combo-system, and inspired groups of players to begin their own competitive tournaments. Street Fighter 2 is widely regarded as one of the most influential games of all time, sparking a resurgence of arcade gaming in the 1990s, and cementing the fighting game genre as a competitive gaming mainstay. One of the top three highest-grossing video games of all time, Street Fighter 2 also had a significant impact on popular culture.

With a roster full of memorable characters, Street Fighter 2 quickly became a cultural phenomenon. With their iconic moves and unique one-liners, most of us know who Ryu and Ken are, or even some of the lesser characters like Zangief or Blanka. There are a multitude of formal and informal Street Fighter tournaments around the world – some of the biggest being the Retro World Series and the EVO fighting game tournament. Old tournaments and current matches are available to watch for anyone who’s interested, and can be viewed on Twitch and Youtube. With the upcoming release of a Nintendo Switch version, Street Fighter 2 isn’t showing signs of slowing down any time soon.

Starcraft

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Despite a highly-successful sequel, Starcraft: Brood War still has a healthy competitive scene in 2021. A decade after its release, it is still considered one of the most popular online competitive games, owed in large part to the evolution of esports in South Korea. After the growth of Starcraft’s professional tournaments, some of its best players in the world went on to become minor celebrities. The game influenced popular culture to such an extent that competitive matches were broadcast on their own dedicated television channels.

Starcraft, and real-time strategy games in general, require efficiency in a few key skills. Some of these skills include base-building, knowledge of unit combinations, production economy, and the overall speed at which you can perform all these tasks. With all of these dynamics working in realtime, there’s no pause button as you and your opponents take each other on in a game of wits and tactics. Starcraft was also one of the first games to introduce asymmetric factions, where each faction had distinct differences in playstyle and unit composition. This allowed for more variety in how matches would play out, increasing the likelihood of a surprising tactic or outcome.

Nowadays Starcraft 2 is the game you’ll find at most tournaments. However, with the Starcraft remaster that came out in 2017, the original has seen a resurgence in players and competitive matches. Turns out all you need for a popular esport is a dedicated fanbase, and a community that will support a worthy game. Despite an increase in global connectivity and communication, tournaments and classic games bring people together in a way that many modern games have difficulty achieving.

Wind-up

Modern esport games such as Fortnite, Apex Legends and Counterstrike have become household names. But there will always be those of us who love the games of yesteryear. As each generation goes through its own advancement of games development, we remember the games that we love – the ones that make an impression on us are the ones we enjoy coming back to.

The ongoing support and success of retro games clearly demonstrates the fact that graphics and processing power aren’t everything. Many of us enjoy the memories a game invokes, or the friends (and enemies) we find through competition. A well-earned victory is satisfying in any entertainment medium, and the added interactivity in games make them a unique environment for esports players and spectators alike. Healthy competition will never go out of style, and it’s nice to know that the classics won’t either.