The 1980s were a fantastic time for video games, launching many of the most popular franchises ever created. Classics like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong ruled arcades, and Nintendo’s NES introduced series such as The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy. While some of these games are still enjoyable today, others haven’t stood the test of time.
Many classic games from the 1980s are difficult to enjoy now. Whether due to outdated gameplay or technical issues with modern televisions, these games were fantastic in their time, but are largely unplayable today.
Donkey Kong On the Atari 2600 Is a Pain to Play
I still remember when I first heard about Donkey Kong! It started out in arcades, and then came to the Atari 2600 around July 1982. What’s really cool is that the basic idea behind Donkey Kong – a hero rescuing someone from the bad guy – has been used in every single Mario game since! Back then, our hero wasn’t called Mario though, he was known as Jumpman.
Okay, so the Donkey Kong game on the Atari 2600 isn’t terrible – you can actually play it – but it’s way harder and simpler than versions on other consoles. There’s a rumor that ColecoVision might have had something to do with how rough the Atari version is. Some people think they deliberately made it worse so players would buy Donkey Kong for their ColecoVision instead!
The Swordquest Series Started Strong But Was Never Finished
I remember being so excited about the Swordquest games! Atari had this really cool idea where the games weren’t just about playing, but also about solving a big mystery. Each game came with a comic book that gave you the story and a piece of the puzzle. If you could figure everything out, you could win prizes – they were giving away a total of $150,000! It was a really unique way to get fans involved.
Sadly, the game series was never completed. Following the video game crash of 1983, the fourth installment, called Airworld, was canceled. While it was a promising idea, its unfinished state makes it difficult to revisit now.
Sssnake Is a Just Clone of a Classic Arcade Game
Sssnake is very similar to the classic arcade game Centipede, where players control a character at the bottom of the screen and move side to side. However, Sssnake places the player more centrally and allows for more flexible movement. Despite having the potential to be a good copy of Centipede, this Atari 2600 game doesn’t quite live up to its promise.
Let’s be honest, Sssnake is a frustrating game. It’s hard to figure out which enemies to target and when. Add in basic graphics and repetitive sounds, and it just doesn’t offer the same fun or replayability as games like Centipede. There’s really no reason to play it today.
Pac-Man on the Atari 2600 Actually Gives Players Headaches
Pac-Man originally appeared in arcades and was later released for the Atari 2600 in March 1982. The Atari version keeps the same core gameplay as the arcade game: players control Pac-Man, collecting all the dots in a maze while running away from ghosts.
Although Pac-Man is a beloved game, the version for the Atari 2600 is unfortunately remembered for being quite flawed. The game tried to do too much for the Atari 2600’s hardware, and its limitations really held it back. Plus, the quickly flickering ghost images caused a lot of players eye strain and headaches.
Custer’s Revenge Is One of the Most Controversial Games Ever
Released in late 1982 for the Atari 2600, Custer’s Revenge is an action game inspired by the story of General George Armstrong Custer. However, it’s known for its controversial and exploitative content, depicting Custer attempting a sexual encounter with a Native American woman while avoiding attacks.
Putting aside all the trouble surrounding its release, Custer’s Revenge isn’t fun to play for reasons beyond its offensive content. The gameplay is incredibly repetitive, and the initial shock value of its premise quickly fades. Plus, finding a copy of the game is very expensive, making it hard to experience even out of curiosity.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Is Infamous for a Reason
The video game E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, based on the classic 1982 movie, lets players control the alien E.T. as he tries to find parts to fix his spaceship and get back home – all while avoiding capture by government officials. The game is well known for its poor design and is often remembered as one of the worst video games ever made.
Although E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial might feel confusing at first, players familiar with adventure games should be able to figure it out. The bigger issue is that the game is unfairly difficult in several spots, especially those frustrating trenches that are almost impossible to get out of. It’s easy to see why E.T. is often cited as a contributing factor to the video game crash of 1983.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Is One of the Worst NES Games Ever
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a challenging side-scrolling game for the NES. Players control Dr. Jekyll as he rushes to a wedding, but various obstacles can turn him into the dangerous Mr. Hyde. It’s known for being one of the most difficult games on the system.
Dr. Jekyll faces constant struggles, and his alter ego, Mr. Hyde, doesn’t fare any better. The story Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde wasn’t easily enjoyed when it was first released, and it still doesn’t work well for modern audiences.
Spelunker Is an Insult to Retro Platforming Games
Spelunker is a classic platforming game originally released for Atari 8-bit computers in 1983. Players control a daring archaeologist who explores a complicated system of caves. The game is known for its challenging jumps, which are central to making progress.
While the game looks like a precise platformer, its controls aren’t quite polished yet. In fact, Spelunker is so frustrating that it might actually turn players away from the platforming genre altogether. Expect to die repeatedly.
The Last V8 Is a Frustrating Early Racing Game
Released around 1985 for the Commodore 64, The Last V8 is a racing game where players drive powerful V8 supercars – or what’s left of them. The game is set in 2008, a time when V8 engines are considered rare and valuable antiques.
Although the idea behind The Last V8 sounds interesting, the game actually feels like a very old and poorly made racing title – even for its time. The controls are clunky and difficult to manage, making it frustrating to play now just as it was when it first came out.
3D Monster Maze Is a Survival Horror Game That Deserves to Be Forgotten
3D Monster Maze is a classic survival horror game originally made for the ZX81 computer in December 1981. In the game, you try to find your way through a maze while being chased by a monster – you’ll need to avoid it to survive!
One of the first survival horror games, 3D Monster Maze might seem a little cheesy today, especially when it comes to the monster’s appearance and the jump scares. However, what’s truly difficult to overlook is how incredibly slow the game is, even for the ZX81 console.
This game is historically interesting because it came out before many others of its kind. However, it runs so slowly that it’s practically impossible to play and isn’t fun at all.
2026-07-29 00:40