The Genesis of Icons: Sonic, Street Fighter, and Mario
Our journey begins with the arcade classic Donkey Kong, which made its North American debut on July 16, 1981. Developed by Nintendo, this game introduced the world to the now-iconic characters of Mario (then known as Jumpman) and Donkey Kong. Its mix of platforming and puzzle-solving mechanics laid the groundwork for many games that followed.
10 years later Sonic the Hedgehog, debuting on Sega Genesis on July 26, 1991. Sonic, Sega’s fast-paced mascot, quickly became an icon. Many platforms, including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, feature his high-speed adventures.
Next is Street Fighter II, pioneering the fighting genre on July 17, 1992. Released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, it’s been re-released on modern consoles and PC. It’s famed for its combo systems and character-specific moves.
The Era of Strategic Combat: Starcraft and Mega Man
Starcraft: Brood War took us to the cosmos on July 18, 1998. Initially for Windows and Macintosh, a remastered version later arrived for Windows and macOS. It reintroduced this iconic real-time strategy game to a new generation.
Mega Man Battle Network dialed us into the digital world on July 20, 2001. Originally for Game Boy Advance, it’s now part of the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
The Birth of Immersive Horror: F.E.A.R.
F.E.A.R. blended action and horror, debuting on July 18, 2005. Originally for Windows, it expanded its reach to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Its unique style continues to captivate players worldwide.
The Evolution of Multiplayer Battles: Splatoon 2
Splatoon 2 added a splash of color on July 21, 2017. Exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, this sequel amped up the fun and competitiveness of ink-based multiplayer battles.
Modern Marvels: Spider-Man and Ghost of Tsushima
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales swung onto PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in July 17, 2021. It delivers a compelling narrative and stunning visuals to superhero fans worldwide.
Next, we visit the breathtaking landscapes of Ghost of Tsushima. Released for PlayStation 4 on July 17, 2020, it also has an enhanced version for PlayStation 5.
The New Face of Horror: Carrion
Carrion introduced a reverse-horror world on July 23, 2020. It’s available on multiple platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Players experience horror from the monster’s perspective.
The Charm of Paper Craft: Paper Mario
Finally, Paper Mario: The Origami King unfolded its charming world on Nintendo Switch in July 17 2020. With innovative combat and witty dialogue, it provides a vibrant conclusion to our retrospective.
