9 Forgotten Gaming Subgenres That Need A Revival

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Video games have been around for more than five decades, with some of their earliest forms being traced as far back as the late 1950s.

Over time, like various forms of expression such as art, literature, and broadcasting, games have seen numerous trends and transformations. Consequently, certain game categories may have become obsolete or merged with stronger, more prevalent ones.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d love to witness a revival of sorts, where developers dare to experiment with the timeless charm of lesser-explored genres in modern gaming. Who knows? Maybe we’ll discover some hidden gems that breathe new life into these old sensibilities!

Just as old trends become cool again, so too can outdated gameplay styles make a surprising return. It would be fantastic to see someone bring back any of these nine types of games we once loved.

9.
Text Adventures

Get Ye Flask

During the initial phase of home video games, advanced graphics were more of a dream than a reality. Computers at that time were already straining to produce lines of text, leaving little room for visual elements. This period saw the rise of text-based adventures such as Zork, where those with vivid imaginations could create their own mental landscapes.

In these games, every detail – whether it’s the scenery, items, or possible locations – was explained in detailed (or occasionally brief) text. This was prior to the use of mouse cursors, so you needed to type specific commands such as “go west” or “get sword” into a prompt.

This genre demanded creative thinking beyond the norm, as the true nature or purpose of a room or object might not immediately reveal itself just by reading the description. Text-based adventures have mostly transitioned into visual novels and role-playing games, but it’s intriguing to imagine a narrative on par with Disco Elysium that lacks any visual element whatsoever.

8.
Light Gun Games

We Have The Technology

Back in the day, light guns were widely used for game control, both in your home and at the arcade. A beloved light gun game is Duck Hunt on the NES, but there were also many classic arcade games like House of the Dead, Point Blank, and Time Crisis. An arcade visit wasn’t complete without spending a few minutes holding a plastic pistol.

Light gun games have struggled to stay current, as traditional gaming with peripherals has lost some popularity and advancements in TV technology have rendered light-sensitive devices outdated.

Despite having only a few light gun games playable at home using controllers like the Joy-Cons, creating a completely new game for any platform other than the Switch or Switch 2 would be challenging. Nevertheless, given the genre’s significant role in arcade gaming history, it is worth preserving, especially considering the optimal hardware available on the Switch.

7.
Side-View Platformer

Broaden Your Scope

Did you know this interesting trivia? Before Super Mario Bros., many platformer games used stationary screens for their backgrounds because developers were struggling to make them scroll. Instead of scrolling, they opted for larger maps with smaller characters, providing a side view of the action. Games like Donkey Kong, Burger Time, and Dig-Dug fall into this category.

Modern technology makes it effortless to handle scrolling graphics, so when creating a platformer, there’s little justification for going with a simple design. In contrast, games such as Burger Time were enjoyable due to the intense concentration of action within them.

As I dived into the game, I was immediately struck by its breakneck speed and intense, almost suffocating atmosphere that demanded precision in timing and skill. Every corner, every hidden nook and cranny of the map was within my sight, yet mastering the game required a 360-degree awareness of everything around me. It’s no wonder this genre is perfect for creating fiercely competitive games, where every second counts and every move could mean victory or defeat.

6.
Puzzle-Strategy

Really Flex That Noggin

Occasionally, strategy role-playing games might present challenges that are more akin to puzzles, such as “conquer this foe with a particular character” or “eliminate this target without encountering a certain danger.

In such games, strategic combat remains the main attraction, with puzzles serving more as an additional flavor. However, in bygone eras, some games successfully combined strategy and puzzles in perfect balance.

One popular example within the unique blend of genres is Lemmings, a game that requires you to direct and strategize for a multitude of self-governing characters. Moreover, it challenges you to unravel intricate puzzles involving obstacles and landscapes, ultimately leading them safely to their destination.

There are various games that have been influenced by this particular formula, and “Lemmings” is actually quite well-known within the gaming community on Steam. However, there haven’t been many significant releases lately that balance puzzle and strategy aspects equally. Given the current trend of genre fusion, it seems like a favorable moment for a resurgence in this regard.

5.
Edutainment

It’s Fun And Educational!

Since the 1980s, certain games have aimed to combine education and entertainment, a category often referred to as “edutainment”.

Back in those days, consoles were host to a variety of games, but if you’re someone who grew up in the ’90s, your mind might instantly wander to titles like Carmen Sandiego, Super Solvers, and the numerous Humongous Adventure games. Admit it, these games taught you at least one valuable lesson.

In this version, I’ve tried to keep the original meaning intact while making the text more engaging and conversational in tone.

It seems that the distinctive approach to educational content is no longer popular these days, regrettably. Many of the original creators have either closed shop or merged with other companies over time.

It’s undeniable that edutainment games may not match the quality or gameplay of typical releases, but they hold a significant place in gaming history and many of us fondly remember them from our childhood years. Today’s gamers, who played these games as children, might appreciate having some new ones with comparable quality to share with their own kids.

4.
Rail Shooter

Let Them Come To You

In a rail shooter game, the targets automatically appear for you to shoot at, regardless if your character is on foot or soaring through the air. This is different from first-person or third-person shooters where you actively hunt and attack the enemies.

As a gamer, I’ve found that some light gun games, like the popular House of the Dead, fall under the category of rail shooters too. However, just because they share a common ground doesn’t automatically make them one and the same genre.

To illustrate, titles such as Star Fox, Space Harrier, and Sin and Punishment fall under the category of rail shooters with conventional controls. This allows for a greater emphasis on blasting approaching adversaries and amassing an exceptionally high score, as the character’s movements are less of a concern.

Shooting games set on trains offer an exciting way to create visually stunning video games. It’s incredibly rewarding to activate a bomb or special power, only to see numerous targets collapse in their wake. With high scores and eye-catching visuals, these games are ideal for streaming in today’s digital age.

3.
Arcade Sports

Less Realism, More Fun

Most contemporary sports games prioritize realism by featuring the latest and popular athletes under license, and designing intricate control mechanisms that strive to accurately replicate professional gameplay.

Modern sports games are all about making you feel like you’re really playing in a league, with the top players of today and complex controls to match.

In earlier times, before the emphasis on realism, sports video games were primarily designed to be quick, entertaining, rather than focusing heavily on realism.

In simpler terms, arcade sports games such as NBA Jam or NFL Blitz focused on simplifying the complex aspects of their corresponding sports, reducing gameplay to a few buttons and a joystick. The appeal of real-world sports lies in their accessibility, allowing anyone to participate, and this same enjoyment can be found in sports video games too.

In today’s era, only a handful of video games in the realm of sports adopt this style, typically smaller projects featuring unconventional sports based on elements beyond our familiarity. Imagine the excitement if such a fast-paced, user-friendly sports game were developed with the same level of production as mainstream sports titles.

2.
Looping Shoot ‘Em Up

All Around The World

In traditional “shoot ’em up” games, whether past or present, the levels automatically scroll while enemies march in with predetermined patterns and formations, mimicking a single spaceship venturing into hostile enemy territories. If you aimed to depict a ship safeguarding its own territory, a more suitable representation would be a “looping” shoot ’em up design instead.

In games such as Defender or Fantasy Zone, your spaceship can move freely across the entire width of the screen, and foes appear at regular intervals from areas beyond your visible range. While you might not always be guarding a specific target, the concept of protection is still applicable in these scenarios.

Generally speaking, it’s essentially a matter of taking out all the targets while avoiding being hit yourself, a task that proves to be more challenging than it initially appears, especially when threats are approaching from multiple directions.

In a simpler and more natural way of expressing: Fantasy Zone stands out with features such as an in-game parts shop for instant upgrades to your spaceship. Shoot ’em up games have survived into contemporary gaming, so why not give the arcade enthusiasts a turn too?

1.
Tube Shooter

A Hallmark Of 3D

Back in my gaming days, I’ve come across a genre that often flies under the radar – the classic tube shooter. It’s not as widely recognized as other genres, so it might be new to some of you out there.

In the early 1980s, arcade games, two tube shooters stand out: Gyruss and Tempest. These games share similarities with ‘shoot ’em up’ games, but instead of moving horizontally or vertically, your character navigates in a circular motion around the screen’s edge, targeting objects that approach as if they were inside tubes.

Back in the day, playing Tempest 2000 felt like stepping into the future of gaming. It was one of those groundbreaking titles that demonstrated early 3D concepts and technologies on the Atari Jaguar in ’94. Although 3D isn’t a novelty anymore, its innovative control system never quite stole the show.

Using advanced graphics nowadays, you can easily create a scene where bizarre creatures seem to climb out of a pipe towards you. This setting could work perfectly for a science fiction or even horror genre.

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2025-04-30 17:47