Only true gamers recognize the significance of classic, old-school video games. Not only did they lead to the high-def shooters, survivals, and simulations of today, but they were also insanely fun and interesting to watch progress! So without further ado, here is a list of my 8 favorite classic video games. Do you recognize any of the titles?

1. Spyro the Dragon.

I have played through Spyro dozens of times and the adventure never gets old. The settings are fun and whimsical, the handling is smooth and easy, and the gameplay difficulty is just right. Plus, who could resist loving a purple, spunky dragon?!

2. Donkey Kong Country.

The Kong Country games were the go-to co-ops of my childhood. Not only were the graphics captivating to watch, but the soundtrack was soothing and spectacular, and the two-player compatibility felt natural. Another great play!

3. The Legend of Zelda.

The concept was simple (and essentially a direct steal from the Mario franchise): traverse the terrain, don't get hurt, and rescue the princess. However, the simplicity was endearing and the game itself was, at times, fairly challenging. But just remember, "it's dangerous to go alone!"

4. Punch Out!

This game - although more of a button-masher than anything - was fun for its bizarre characters and roaring victories. However, the one thing that kept you coming back for more, were the smug grins of your toughest components; you weren't ever satisfied until you saw the glorious TKO!

5. Mario Paint.

This iconic art tool was not so much a game, as it was a sweet and simple platform for creativity. You could compose music, dabble with animation, doodle, and explore the mishmash of activities.

6. Paper Boy 2.

If this fast-paced side-scroller didn't make your head spin, then nothing ever could! With obstacles coming at you from every direction and very precise targets flying by quickly, Paper Boy definitely kept you on your feet!

7. Myst.

To this day, I have yet to conquer PC's infamous point-and-click puzzle. With little dialogue and absolutely no prompting, you're left to discover an entire world of mazes, clues, and secrets without any sort of direction.

8. All classic Mario games.

A list of classic video game titles would not be complete without the Mario series. Do I even need to explain why?

9. Crash Bandicoot.

Finally, we have the original Crash Bandicoot - a game that has recently reclaimed popularity through PlayStation's modern revamp. But as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! The first game was a lot of fast-paced fun; I don't see why there was any need for a remake.