Legend has it that Gunpei Yokoi drew inspiration from a Shinkansen passenger playing with a calculator when he conceived the Game & Watch series. Those handhelds weren't the first of their kind, but they ultimately defined an entire market. Today, we can revisit the most iconic examples thanks to RetroFab, a portal featuring simulations of electronic games spanning from the mid-1970s to the early 21st century.
My own first "local" encounter with video games came through an unofficial Atari 2600 clone, but I also owned a couple of electronic games. The first was Super Mario Bros. from the Crystal Screen line of the Game & Watch, which I ended up breaking in half during a moment of frustration. The second was Casio's Castle Adventure, which I think is still in its box, lost somewhere.
Both were "little obsessions" that stole hours from my life (and I don't regret it). I know I'm not alone—many of our readers found a mix of entertainment and comfort in those electronic games. So why not revisit that era, even for a while? All you need to do is head over to RetroFab and pick a title…
RetroFab: Classic Electronic Games in Your Browser
Technically, the site is in early access, but I must admit its design is very good. Besides grouping games by series and manufacturer, it also includes scans of the manuals and the original box art. The oldest games on the portal are from Mattel, with classics like Auto Race and Missile Attack (1976/1977). At the other end of the spectrum are Sonic's Speedway and Tony Stewart Racing, two special games McDonald's gave away with Happy Meals in 2003 and 2004.
If you have any doubts, the simulations include exact instructions, and one more thing: the ability to turn off the sound. I'll be honest: the "effects" of some games are unbearable, so being able to press "mute" is more than welcome. Link below!
Official site:Click here
