On the 30th anniversary of SMRPG, let’s take a look at a small sprite detail and compare it to the remake.

Originally, Dodo’s helmet falls over his eyes during his peck animation, explaining why he doesn’t see Mario move during this mini-game.

Either the remake developers didn’t notice this detail or had trouble making the helmet cover his eyes in 3-D, but his vision is unobstructed in this version, making it nonsensical that he doesn’t see Mario move.

Retro wins every time.

T.R.A.G. (originally released in 1999)

Take control of dual protagonists Alex and Michelle as you fight your way through a terrorist occupied building.

If you liked the early Resident Evils, you’ll be right at home with T.R.A.G., as it employs the same 3rd person tank control movement system, though the game is less horror and more sci-fi.

Just Breed (originally released in 1992)

Released exclusively in Japan and very late in the NES's lifespan, Just Breed is a tactical RPG noted to have cutscene presentation beyond what you would normally expect on the system.

You might raise an eyebrow at the game's title. It's a bit of a wonky translation, the meaning is more like 'Heroic Bloodline' or 'Noble Heritage'. It is not a demand to have kids.

Rayman 2: The Great Escape (originally released in 1999)

Honestly one of my favorite N64 games. Play as the limbless hero as you smash prison cages, collect Lums, and defeat the evil robo-pirates.

Ubisoft may be a meme and punching bag these days for their greed, but back in the day they were a good developer. Even if the amount of times they ported this game is comical.

B.O.B. (originally released in 1993)

A hybrid of a platformer and a run and gun, albeit with an annoying inability to aim diagonally. Guide B.O.B. through a series of time limited levels, employing gadgets like trampolines to navigate the environment.

The game leans toward the comical side of things, with B.O.B.’s objective being to find a car to make it to his date on time.

Magical Pop’n (originally released in 1995)

Featuring a protagonist who could be visually described as a girl Link, contains six large, explorable levels.

Boasts excellent animations and spritework, though also a bit of an easy game, with generous health pickups and unlimited continues.

Tin Star (originally released in 1994)

A SNES game where you play as a robotic sheriff in a town in the Wild West and work to foil the plans of the Bad Oil Gang.

Gameplay is separated into sidescrolling stages, first-person stages, and quick draw boss fights. Can be played with a controller, Super Scope, or SNES Mouse.

Has a lot of expression in its sprite animations and a sense of humor reminiscent of cartoons from the time period.

Terranigma (originally released in 1996)

Only released in Japan and Europe, Enix’s USA branch closing its doors denied us an American release back in the day.

A well-made action-RPG with very expressive sprites. You’re on a quest to rebuild the world. Watch as human civilization advances from primitive tribes, to medieval, to modern, to futuristic as you progress through the game.

Psycho Soldier (originally released in 1987)

A sequel to SNK's earlier Athena game, with the protagonist, Athena Asamiya, being the modern mortal reincarnation of that game's protagonist.

Major stand out thing is the game's Psycho Soldier song, the first full lyrical song in a video game, performed by Kaori Shimizu. Obviously, since it was 1987, the song is very compressed by modern standards, but still a historical landmark for games.

Psycho Soldier (originally released in 1987)

A sequel to SNK's earlier Athena game, with the protagonist, Athena Asamiya, being the modern mortal reincarnation of that game's protagonist.

Major stand out thing is the game's Psycho Soldier song, the first full lyrical song in a video game, performed by Kaori Shimizu. Obviously, since it was 1987, the song is very compressed by modern standards, but still a historical landmark for games.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (originally released in 1988)

Very loosely based on the 1886 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, play as Dr. Jekyll and advance to the church to get married. If your stress meter fills, you turn into Mr. Hyde and play through a mirrored, ruined version of the same stage. If Mr. Hyde reaches the same point in the stage Dr. Jekyll is at, evil prevails and it’s game over.

Spoiler: the original novel never had demons overrun London and only Mr. Hyde can stand up to them.