Top 10 Most Nostalgic Video Games for Gen Z

Looking back, a lot of us have grown up with rather spicy stuff during our childhood. If you belong to Gen Z (late 1990s - 2010s), prepare for a ride.

This list will introduce you to some of the most nostalgic games among Gen Z, and possibly unlock some of your obscure childhood memories.

1. Minecraft

   

   Almost everyone who played Minecraft around 2011-2016 remembers the old textures, the old website, the iconic rose, the old launchers, the creeper hoodie skins, playing the demo version, building a diamond house, and fearing Herobrine.

   For those who played Pocket Edition, you may remember the old nether reactor core, stonecutter, and the cyan rose. It's surreal to think the majority of their fanbase are either in their late teens or in their adulthood now.

   Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time. It has 238 million sales and counting. That's more than all Wii games combined, as well as many others. It has become a meme in itself, and you can create almost anything and face different levels.

   It's the ultimate Gen-Z game. It was fully conquered by the mighty king Alex (known as Technoblade). R.I.P. to the G.O.A.T. (1999-2003).

2. Wii Sports

   

   When it comes to Gen Z nostalgia, the Wii is one of the first things that comes to mind along with Minecraft. An iconic family-friendly game alongside its other versions such as Wii Sports Resort and Wii Play.

   Sleeping on the couch after a long bout of sword fighting was a very cozy childhood.

   One of the first video games I've ever played. I had a blast playing this game with my family, friends, and neighbors.

   The average kid of that generation has played Wii Sports at least once in their life, at home or at a friend's.

3. Angry Birds

   

   Some of you may have played the first Angry Birds version and its other versions too (Angry Birds Star Wars, Angry Birds Space, Angry Birds Epic, Angry Birds Rio). Remember that Angry Birds also had a cartoon? (Angry Birds Toons)

   I remember playing countless hours of the original Angry Birds game. I may be in the minority, but this was the most memorable. The other spin-off games like Space, Star Wars, and whatever else just don't capture the same magic this game did.

   Yeah, I remember when I used to really love the Angry Birds games as a kid, along with the spinoff Bad Piggies.

4. Mario Kart Wii

   

   My God, when I play this game, I have this pleasant feeling inside my chest. Seriously, it's like a separate emotion. Sometimes I feel Mario Kart Wii.

   The contender of Wii Sports and its other versions. Very nostalgic regardless.

   If you didn't play this, did you even grow up in 2008?

5. New Super Mario Bros.

   

6. Mario Kart DS

   

7. Clash of Clans

   This app peaked in popularity in the years 2013-2015. Let's admit it, most of us made the big mistake of rushing our town halls up to level 9 or 10.

8. Fruit Ninja

   

   That game your friend or cousin introduced you to back in your 3rd-grade classroom. No doubt it's one of the first mobile games that pop up when your mind flashes back to childhood memories.

   Fun times competing with each other on who gets the most points.

9. Flappy Bird

   

   Ah yes, that one addictive game that made everyone rage around 2014. For those who didn't play the game, you had to help the bird fly while avoiding the pipes. It was simple but very hard, as the pipes left little space, making timing your jumps difficult for most people.

   Sadly, the app was removed shortly after its popularity spiked, but there is a website based on the game with the same features that you can still play.

   Flappy Bird was such a sensation a few years back.

10. Mario Party DS

    
The Newcomers
11. ?

    Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

    
12. ?

    Dumb Ways to Die

    
The Contenders

13. Plants vs Zombies

    

    As much as the sequel, this one really takes the cherry on top of a sundae when it comes to nostalgia. Although it's pretty sad thinking about your old plants you've raised in the garden years ago, don't forget that "There's a Zombie on Your Lawn" song.

14. Temple Run

    

    This, along with Temple Run 2, dominated the app store back in 2012-2015. Basically Subway Surfers but jungle-themed.

    I feel the nostalgia of this game. I just remember a guy being chased by those three beasts.

15. DragonFable

    Basically the single-player version of Adventure Quest Worlds.

16. Fate (2005)

    

    A rather obscure hack-and-slash dungeon crawler game. Pretty addicting overall, along with its sequels. Even with its simplistic gameplay mechanics similar to Diablo and its graphics, it really stands the test of time.

17. Subway Surfers

    

    We can't forget this one. Almost every classmate in school had this app along with Fruit Ninja and Temple Run. Some of us even had that one kid who bragged about getting over one million points in this game.

    Played so much of this game back then. I remember back when they only had the original music. When they changed it, I played it in silence ever since because I didn't like it.

    Same as Temple Run but with an inspector.

18. Club Penguin

    

    This is my personal favorite. I played this game almost every day when I was a kid. Boy, I feel nostalgic just looking at this picture.

19. Grand Theft Auto V

    

    Of all the mature games out there, GTAV is easily the most iconic one for Gen Z.

20. Poptropica

    

21. Mario Kart 8

    

    Personally, this is what I played most before reaching my teenage years.

22. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

    

23. Super Smash Bros. Brawl

    

24. Undertale

    

    My sister Fay used to play it and beat it!

25. Super Paper Mario

    

26. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!

    

27. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim