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When most players see a side-scrolling game that features co-op gun-slinging versus hordes of enemies and epic bosses, one title comes to mind. It is the title awarded to superior soldiers that excel at guerrilla tactics and also the title of a long-running game series that made run-and-gun shooters what they are today. I am, of course, talking about Konami’s very own Contra.

Read on as Pop GO inducts Contra into The Hall of Games.

Back in the 90’s, home gaming was popular but, unlike today’s climate, the arcade industry continued to strongly impact popular trends. But this tale isn’t about an arcade game. This game created the opposite effect and blew gamers’ expectations away at the time.

That’s when Nintendo seized the opportunity and Super Smash Bros. came out of the blue. Smash came to represent more than a ridiculously fun casual fighter. It gave gamers a glimpse into the future of multiplayer gaming and how important one little crossover could become to an entire industry.

Read on as Pop GO inducts Super Smash Bros. into The Hall of Games.

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Long before Warriors of Light and the Hero Erdrick, there was the Avatar and his quest to defeat the evil wizard Mondain. That’s right—we’re talking the birth of RPGs as we know them today. Many of the tried-and-true conventions found in modern RPGs can easily be traced back to Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness.

Read on as Pop GO inducts Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness into The Hall of Games.

“The Hall of Games” is a brand new segment that will look at games that have made a significant impact on video game development and changed the way people have come to think of our interactive medium. From “Super Mario” to “Grand Theft Auto” to  “Doom”, expect to get a crash course education about the industry’s evolution bit-by-bit, from its pixelated infancy to the beautiful, dominant force it is today.

While most people are busy looking out for the biggest and newest game titles, a lot can be learned about gaming by looking back at the past. Over time, many games become forgotten or overlooked. There were two big 25th anniversaries this year for Nintendo but only Link saw his birthday remembered. It’s only fitting then that we dedicate a little bit of time to discussing this forgotten classic of the NES era: Metroid.