10 Old-School Games You Can Still Play on Your Browser for Free

(SPOT.ph) Gaming was a whole lot different in the ’80s and ’90s. Instead of going online to connect with friends and play together, you had to physically hang out at someone’s place for a one-on-one combat game on the Family Computer, Sega, or Atari. Most days, you were on your own—battling final-round monsters to get to the next level. While you probably wish that things could go back to those carefree afternoons, your only way to relive the old days is through a round or two of your favorite video game that you can play on your Internet browser. It’s not the same as having the trusted A-B buttons on the joystick, but we’ll take it! 

Also read:
10 Browser Games We Used to Play Online
10 Old-School Games You Can Still Play on Your Smartphone for Free
10 PlayStation Games That Will Make Any ’90s Gamer Nostalgic

Check out these old-school games with browser emulators and play away: 

Donkey Kong (1981)

Play it on: Retro Games 

Still remember that huge gorilla dropping wooden barrels to keep you from climbing ladders in a construction site? The objective is pretty simple: With the arrow keys and jump button, you have to avoid obstacles and rescue Pauline—Mario’s girlfriend—from Donkey Kong. Once in a while, you get the chance to hold a hammer and whack your way to the top. The original Donkey Kong was available for Atari, Commodore, and other ports; but it gained popularity when it was launched on the Family Computer in 1983. 

Mega Man: The Wily Wars (1994)

Play it on: Play Emulator 

Made by Capcom for Sega Genesis, Mega Man: The Wily Wars is the ultimate compilation of the first three Mega Man games released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. You, as Mega Man, set out in an endless adventure to defeat villains that have resurfaced thanks to the evil Dr. Wily. 

Super Street Fighter II (1993)

Play it on: Arcade Spot 

Another game by Capcom, Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers features additional characters on top of the 12 fighters of the previous edition. The 1993 release includes Mexican warrior T. Hawk, Hong Kong stunt man Fei Long, Jamaican capoeira fighter Dee Jay, and female special forces agent Cammy. This edition had a Super Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis versions. 

Contra (1987)

Play it on: Emulator Online 

When it comes to eight-bit Family Computer games, there’s nothing as nostalgic as Contra. It was released in the arcades in 1987, then later for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988. The plot follows two elite soldiers Bill Rizer and Lance Bean who are tasked to destroy enemy forces that set up camp at the Amazon Jungle and are about to wipe out humanity. 

Mortal Kombat II (1993)

Play it on: Retro Games 

The second installment of Mortal Kombat was produced for neighborhood arcades in 1993, then later to Game Boy, Sega Genesis, and Super NES. It’s a huge improvement from the OG version with new characters like Kitana and Kung Lao and a more ambitious setting called the Outworld. This combat game also lets you do crouching punches and roundhouse kicks with a powerful A-B combo. 

Super Mario World (1990)

Play it on: Emulator Games 

The video game on Mario’s quest to save the princess is part of almost everyone’s childhood. It’s all about jumping and bumping your head onto bricks to reveal a mushroom that will make you grow, jumping across holes, going inside tunnels, and reaching a flagpole at the end. Super Mario World adds the green-colored dinosaur Yoshi who can eat enemies (in a very cute way, don’t worry). 

Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

Play it on: Play Emulator 

Created for the Sega Genesis console, Sonic the Hedgehog features a blue-colored hedgehog that can run on top speed, glide through rollercoaster-like loops, collect rings, and free imprisoned animals. You also have to avoid obstacles like spikes and pits along the way to be able to stop Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his evil plans. 

The Legend of Zelda (1986)

Play it on: Emulator Games 

The Legend of Zelda features a very expansive mythology that mixes game formats of combat, quest, and puzzles. It follows the story of Link, who is given the mission to rescue Princess Zelda from the evil warlord Ganon. The game’s universe includes hidden doorways, magic swords, dungeons, and other fantastic elements inspired by its creator’s childhood home in Sonobe, Japan. 

Bomberman (1985)

Play it on: Retro Games 

That small creature with a spherical head that drops bombs to destroy walls was one of our first forays in escape games. Bomberman may already have a three-dimensional and very colorful version for the modern-day gamer through the Nintendo Wii, but nothing beats the 2D interface of an eight-bit maze. 

The Final Fantasy Legend (1989)

Play it on: Emulator Online

Would you believe that this edition of Final Fantasy was in black and white and can only be played on the small screen of your Game Boy? Still, this downsized version (at least compared to the editions for Playstation) lets players journey to other places through doors and pathways that lead you to other worlds within the game.