From Pac-Man to Tetris: 5 classic games that will take you back to the arcade era

Sonic the Hedgehog Classic

Sonic the Hedgehog Classic is largely unchanged from the original (Express photo)

Few characters are as memorable as Sonic the Hedgehog, and over 30 years later, you can still make him run, jump, spin and dash through zones while collecting rings and defeating enemies – all in the palm of your hands. The game is largely unchanged from the original, featuring the OG soundtrack and graphics, except you can now enjoy it on the brighter and crisper displays of today. You can also play as Sonic’s friends Tails and Knuckles, each with their own abilities and secrets.

Super Monkey Ball: Sakura

Super Monkey Ball: Sakura uses your phone’s accelerometer (Express photo)

Super Monkey Ball: Sakura stands out from this list because it uses your phone’s accelerometer and features colourful 3D graphics. In it, you roll around in a ball as a cute monkey while collecting bananas, avoiding obstacles, and exploring different worlds. You’ll need to sit up straight for this one as the game will feel like you’re balancing a ball on your phone. A multiplayer mode is also present, letting you race against friends and other players online.

Prince of Persia: Escape

You escape from the dungeons of the Sultan’s palace and rescue the Princess in Prince of Persia: Escape (Express photo)

If you love running away from angry guards, dodging deadly traps, and jumping over bottomless pits, then you might want to check out Prince of Persia: Escape. This mobile game is a remake of the classic platformer that started it all back in 1989. You play as the Prince, who has to escape from the dungeons of the Sultan’s palace and rescue the Princess. The game features retro graphics, simple controls, and challenging levels. You can also customize your character with different outfits and weapons.

Tetris

Tetris has been remade for mobile devices with slick swipe controls (Express photo)

There’s a reason why Tetris has a whole psychological effect named after it. The tile-matching puzzle game is so addictive that people sometimes start hallucinating falling Tetris blocks for some time after quitting the game. First released in 1984, Tetris continues to be a perfect time-passer. And its mobile version by Playstudios will keep you hooked for hours with its rewards, bonuses, and customisable themes and music.

Pac-Man

Pac-Man mobile offers the classic experience but with some meaningful twists (Express photo)

If you’ve played Tetris then you’ve probably also played Pac-Man – both games were one of the best-selling games ever. The iconic arcade game from the 80s has been revamped for mobile devices by Bandai Namco, the company behind many other popular games. Pac-Man offers a variety of modes, mazes, power-ups, and skins to keep you entertained for hours. You can play the classic 8-bit mode, explore hundreds of original mazes in story mode, compete in tournaments, or join themed events in adventure mode. You can also customize your Pac-Man and the ghosts with different outfits and accessories.