August 27th 2023.
We all have our favourite video game levels, and these iconic first levels from the 8- and 16-bit eras have become synonymous with our hobby. Let's take a look at some of the most iconic level 1s in video game history.
Super Mario Bros. is perhaps the most iconic first level of all time. Nearly 40 years later and it still has the mindshare of most gamers around the world, fans or otherwise. So recognised in fact, that instead of simply posting a link of the level, I thought I'd provide a moment with Shigero Miyamoto sharing some insight of how it came to be. It gave birth to a new age in gaming, single-handedly saving an industry from collapse.
Ghouls 'N Ghosts is another classic entry level to a game that taught us more about how to run away in our underwear and swear a lot. It had the classic medieval graveyard setting, complete with all the tropes of a Hammer Horror movie. And of course, who can forget the feeling of reaching the top of a ladder and becoming unceremoniously stuck for the first time, completely vulnerable and exposed? Honourable mentions go to Ghost 'N Goblins and Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts, both of which made boxer shorts look great!
Two-player co-op perfection was found in Contra 3: The Alien Wars. From the rundown streets to the collapsing skyscrapers on the horizon, this level conjures up the perfect image of a post-apocalyptic alien invasion. Scrambling to make it to the tank before taking out the enemy checkpoint, whilst your sibling rides shotgun, was a great way to use up lives if you weren't communicating. Not to mention the set piece with the bomber flying overhead in a glorious Mode 7 sprite scaling effect.
Sonic The Hedgehog is yet another iconic level 1. It had the iconic shade of green, that angular art style, blue Sega skies, and memorable level theme tune. Think of Sega and this is the mental note your brain has pre-prepared for you. It's impossible to deny Sega and Sonic of this accolade.
Star Fox had magazine images that couldn't do it justice, you had to see it moving for yourself. And no-one will forget the first level opening, with our team of Arwing pilots speeding through that blue wire frame tunnel in their abstract aircraft. It was well ahead of its time and the boss battle brought out the best in players.
Finally, ESWAT: City Under Siege is unique in that you play the first couple of levels as a humble man, only to be transformed into a killing machine for the rest of the game. It was a great way to pay homage to RoboCop, a R-rated superhero that was iconic to maybe my household only. Playing as the protagonist, you felt like you were part of a squad, learning much about our crew's traits before taking on the first boss.
So there you have it, some of the most iconic first levels in video game history. Each of them brings back great memories and nostalgia, and makes us appreciate how far video games have come since the 8- and 16-bit eras.
We all have certain favourite video game levels, and some of the most iconic ones come from the 8- and 16-bit eras. Some of these levels have become so synonymous with the hobby itself, they are instantly recognizable. To celebrate these timeless classics, let's look at some of the most memorable first levels from the 8- and 16-bit eras.
Super Mario Bros is perhaps the most iconic first level in video game history. When the game was released in 1985, it saved the entire gaming industry from collapse and has since become a beloved classic. There's even a video of Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the Mario series, talking about how the level was designed. This first level will teach you just about everything you need to progress through the entire game.
Ghouls 'N Ghosts is another classic entry level to a game that taught players more about how to run away in their underwear and swear a lot! The level features a classic medieval graveyard setting with all the tropes of a Hammer Horror movie. It also introduces players to the level select mechanic, which can be found in many games. The game is tough, but also amusing and frustrating, as players find themselves getting stuck on ladders and exposed to enemy attacks.
Contra 3: The Alien Wars is a great example of a 2-player co-op game. The level takes place in a post-apocalyptic alien invasion, and players must scramble to make it to a tank before taking out the enemy checkpoint. The level is also well ahead of its time, featuring a set piece with a bomber flying overhead.
Sonic The Hedgehog is another incredibly iconic first level. The level, Green Hill Zone, is instantly recognizable by gamers everywhere. It features the classic blue Sega skies, memorable level theme tune, and an iconic boss battle music. Sonic himself is an icon of the gaming industry, and this level helped to create him.
Star Fox is a classic 3D game that features an iconic first level. Players speed through a wire frame tunnel and exit HQ to a badass tune. The level also introduces players to the characters of the game and familiarizes them with the intercom system.
ESWAT: City Under Siege is a unique game where players start off as a humble man in the first couple of levels, only to be transformed into a killing machine for the rest of the game. The game pays homage to RoboCop, another iconic film and video game. The game captures the imagination of players, just as the movie did.
Finally, there's RoboCop, the world's first R-rated superhero. Although the game wasn't as good as the Data East arcade equivalent, it still captured the imagination of gamers as they played as their childhood hero. The first level features some of the most memorable moments from the movie, including a memorable arrest at the end of the stage.
These are just a few of the many classic first levels from the 8- and 16-bit eras. Each one has its own unique features, but all of them have become iconic in their own right. No matter which game you prefer, these levels have certainly stood the test of time.
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