Twitch has become one of gaming's most used and viewed platforms. Anything and everything from playthroughs, walkthroughs, speedruns, commentaries, and more can be found surrounding a variety of games and titles. But for those molded by the era of bits, sprites, and "Nintendo-hard" games instead of Fortnite and Call of Duty, there are the Retro channels.
An old classic never goes out of style, so the saying goes. And that can certainly be confirmed for games. Whether they're played with pieces, 8 or 16-bit graphics, or even arcade-emulators, there are plenty of vintage titles still being enjoyed even on a modern platform like Twitch.
10 Prince of Persia (1989)
Watching someone else play Prince of Persia can either be an exciting or extremely nerve-wracking experience. Then again, so is the game. The original title in the series didn't have the hack-and-slash elements made famous by the likes of Sands of Time but was a race against the clock.
Players have to avoid traps, guards, and other hazards before the hourglass runs out and Jaffar kills the princess. No matter what streamer plays this game, every leap, fall, and swing is a nail-biting experience.
9 Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
For those looking to kick things into high-gear, one can never go wrong with the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog. There's always something hypnotic about watching the blue-blur go speeding through the various loops, ramps, and obstacles in his original series. Why not stream it for thousands of viewers, right?
Sonic is one of the pillars of the gaming industry, showing just what could be done with the proper use of 16-bit graphics. Even Sega recognizes the strength of the original formula.
8 Mega Man 2 (1988)
Although the original Mega Man title can be found on Twitch, it's the sequel that reigns as the unofficial favorite. Similar to Prince of Persia, watching a playthrough of this game can be a bit anxiety-inducing.
With its learning curve, vanishing platforms, and an army of infamous Robot Masters, watching certain streamers fail over and over again can be frustrating, but speed-runs of this title are nothing short of vexing.
7 Final Fantasy (1987)
Sometimes it's not about the destination but the journey, and what better journey to take than the original Final Fantasy? Certain streamers on Twitch have shown just how downright relaxing this JRPG can be, especially when paired with Lo-Fi music.
The game is a grand adventure that's wrapped in a simple package, and sometimes it's just fun to sit back and watch. A little commentary on the experience goes a long way as well.
6 The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Similar to the previous entry, the original Legend of Zelda provides an epic fantasy with a simple 8-bit aesthetic. Not only are speedruns and playthroughs of this game exciting adventures to watch, but they can be useful aids in the viewer's own playthroughs.
The original Zelda requires a lot of trial and error to get through. A lot of needed items are kept secret from the player, and some learn better with visual aids. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
5 Super Mario Bros (1985)
When it comes to speedruns, there are few titles new or old that can grace the addictive nature of the original Super Mario Bros. The Mushroom Kingdom is a familiar realm to most players, but there's something incredible about watching all the Koopas and Goombas go flying by at ludicrous speed.
Mario is one of the easiest titles for gamers to pick up and play, which makes it one of the easiest games to attempt a first speedrun. Especially if one knows all the Warp Zone locations.
4 Frogger (1981)
Honestly, how can one not watch someone else play Frogger without getting some serious Seinfeld vibes? Speedruns and playthroughs of this game might not be the most rapid, but there's definitely a sporting-event-like experience when watching.
Watching someone stream this arcade mainstay is like watching someone shoot a winning soccer goal. Seeing Frogger dodge and hop across a panel of obstacles is certainly addicting for most retro fans, and maybe even a few modern ones as well.
3 Donkey Kong (1981)
Where would the gaming industry be without the legendary Donkey Kong? The title that toppled the medium dominated by space invaders and starships is still played, enjoyed, and even streamed by thousands of thousands of players today.
Simply put, the original battle between DK and Mario for Pauline is a gaming tale as old as time. Defeat the villain, save the princess, and play again and again. Sometimes, it's the simple things that get the most views.
2 Dungeons and Dragons (1974)
The title didn't say they all had to be video games, did it? As many classic RPGs there are on Twitch, such as Final Fantasy and a lot of Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest, there are loads of D&D campaigns available for streaming.
Each game is as different as the players that participate, and some are even sitcom worthy when it comes to dialogue. What else can be said but let the good times roll?
1 Chess (Unknown)
Chess is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, and that's okay. But when it comes to age, the game of kings is possibly the oldest game played on the platform.
The game has been viewed like any sporting event since the days before Bobby Fischer, and that concept is still alive and well on Twitch. It might not be the most exciting game in the world but without it, gamers wouldn't have titles like Advanced Wars, Wargroove, and especially the Fire Emblem series.