According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the global video game market was worth around 56 billion dollars in 2010. PwC predicts that video games will be the fastest-growing form of media over the next few years, with sales rising to 82 billion dollars by 2015.
In Pakistan, too, video games are a sensation. In fact, since 2005, World Cyber Games Pakistan chapter has been conducting a gaming competition that provides winners the chance to compete the best of the world. And video gaming is not just a “little boys’ sport” anymore. According to the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) about 49 percent of video game players are female.
So here’s a look at some of the interesting, “time wastage”(in the words of our moms) video games everyone in Pakistan, has played:
1. Super Mario Brothers
Source: IGN
How many of you remember playing this game endlessly and making Mario jump over those evil turtles
2. Contra
3. Call of Duty
Source: Source: IG
4. Medal Of Honor
Source: Moby Games
I, for one, was never able to complete the missions. My team usually died halfway during the war zone times 🙁
5. Counter Strike
Source: IGN
Still addictive.
6. The Lion King
Source: Games Database
Windows 98 and using CDs to install games like this was our world, back then.
7. Prince of Persia
Source: Games Database
Before Jake Gyllenhaal made it mainstream we all spent countless hours perfecting the jump.
8. Duck Hunt
Source: Mob
The fun of this game was with that point and shoot controller! But we all secretly loved shooting down those ducks too. 😛
9. Pitfall Adventures
Source: Games Database
This was a special niche game, only the true hardcore gamers were into.
10. Aladdin
Source: Games Databas
The most addictive game of your childhood. Maybe his shalwar was too relatable 😛
11. Bugs Bunny
Source: Games Database
12. Pinball
Source: Windows Secrets
This was the game for when you didn’t have a CD or when your computer was so new that you hadn’t loaded any games into it, yet.
13. Sonic the Hedgehog
Source: Digital Spy
The blue spiky haired hero of this game was so fun to follow, especially when he rolled up into a ball and hit those red crabs!
14. Super Bomberman
Source: Games Database
If you haven’t played this ever, your childhood is not complete!
15. FIFA: ROAD TO WORLD CUP 98.
Source: Computergames.ro
16. WWF WrestleMania Arcade
Source: Web Designer Depot
So many wrestling battles memories, especially the magical leg and punches of Shawn Michael.
17. Virtua Cop
Source: Moby Games
That annoying voice of sirens and “Watch out” or ” Hey! ” . This game was too real for us!
18. Tekken
Source: Moby Games
Tekken or Mortal Kombat? Of course, Tekken. But then which one? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…
19. Street Fighter
Oh those keyboard shortcuts and making your character do a K.O! The rush was amazing.
20. Mortal Kombat
Source: Games Database
A truly violent game of its time. This was a game that was way ahead of its time, with the very brutal end to the losing characters.
21. Galaxy
Source: Games Database
SHOOT LIKE YOU MEAN IT!
22. Need for Speed
Source: EA Games
Till date this game from NFS series is the best one. Most of you would agree that the new movie had nothing on the sexy graphics of this game.
23. Tomb Rider
While we are at game-to-movie adaptations, how can we forget the game that inspired the movie that launched Angelina Jolie’s career.
24. Rayman
Source: Ubisoft
This was a light hearted game for those who were too chicken for the hardcore violence of Aladdin.
25. Grand Theft Auto
Source: Moby Game
This game captured a generation’s imagination. Now that generation has grown up and so has the game. The GTA V is certainly not a children’s game.
26. Crazy Taxi
Source: SEG
This is how you learned “rash” driving. Didn’t you?
27. Cricket World Cup 99
Source: EA Sports
Brain Lara 99 or this. That was a tough choice to make, especially for us cricket crazy country!
28. Road Rush
Source: Moby Game
Raise your hand if you were one of those who indulged in kicking and punching your opponents while speeding past them.
And finally, for the Potter Heads…
29. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Source: EA Games
For the fans of Harry Potter books and movies. This was another take into the Potter world, as a precursor to PotterMore that we all know today.
These games must have made you all nostalgic for those after school sessions, when all you cared about was throwing your bag away and firing up the gaming console or your newly bought computer, that was covered to protect from dust. Some of these games that still exist in the upgraded graphics form. Ahh, wish I had a Sonic the Hedge Hog game, right about now.
