Best Retro Games For Valentine's Day!

There's no better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than by spending time with your significant other. No one ever said that means you have to put down the controller, though! So this month at EP we are showcasing some of the best retro classics for couples to play.

So dim the lights, light some candles, and grab all those chocolates you've exchanged, it's time for some retro love.

BattleToads/Double Dragon – The Ultimate Team

Systems: Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis

Year: 1993

On their own, both the BattleToads and the Dragon Brothers accomplished quite a lot in the beat 'em up golden era. Each series has multiple entries, with a large and dedicated fan-base. They both are master-class in classic 2D brawler design, and most of all... they are just plain fun! Like the bond between so many couples though, the two coming together created something far more amazing. Luckily this entry is easy to pick up for anyone and requires no familiarity with the two franchises.

Obscure (series)

System: Sony Playstation 2

Year: 2004

When we think of horror in games, we always picture a single-player outing. This is seemingly in direct contrast to that of the movie experience, where Horror is a favorite genre of couples. Well, for those couples who love a good horror flick, there is a game just for you. Hydravision Entertainment put together, not just one, but 2 entries in this Co Op survival horror franchise. You play as a group of teens wrapped up in a series of horrifying and mysterious events at their local school. Flush with all the usual tropes of the genre from the early 2000's this is one that flew under the radar, but shouldn't be missed.

Perfect Dark

System: Nintendo 64

Year: 2000

Everyone knows Perfect Dark, the spiritual successor to Rare's masterpiece "Goldeneye" on the N64. You may even know that it has the option to play through its entire spectacular campaign in Co Op mode. What you may not know though is it's one of the few games to ever feature a "Counter-Op" mode. For those unfamiliar, this is the game's main campaign but player 2 steps into the shoes of one of the enemies in the level and tries to stop you from reaching your goal! Perfect for those couples who like to spark a little rivalry now and then.

Secret of Mana (series)

System: Super Nintendo

Year: 1993

Couples these days love to binge-watch story-driven narratives together. Spending whole days just cuddled up going through an entire season of a show. So why keep that experience to just TV? If you enjoy a great story wrapped up in a fantastic gaming classic look no further than Secret of Mana for the Super Nintendo. This is an action-rpg classic that many hold as one of the greatest on the system. However, like all things, they are better experienced with a partner. A somewhat hidden feature, a second controller will allow 2 players to play this entire epic together. How's that for a binge session? Still not enough? Well, there's a sequel titled "Seiken Densetsu 3" which sadly never was released in the west... Emuparadise has you covered with an English Translated version.

Kirby's DreamLand 3

System: Super Nintendo

Year: 1997

Who can resist the lovable pink blob that can't stop stuffing his face with enemies? Kirby's DreamLand 3 was a wonderfully light-hearted entry on the SNES with a coloring-book art-style and all the staples that made Kirby so easy to both play and love. Unknown to most people though, this game has a hidden co-op function. Grab another controller and Player 2 can assist Kirby with his buddy Gooey. Now 2 of you can save DreamLand together, eating enemies, and stealing power ups to your heart's content. Download And Play Now!

Half-Life

System: Sony Playstation 2

Year: 2001

Don't be surprised to see Half-Life on this list! Generally viewed as the pinnacle Single-Player experience of its time. It even received 2 full single-player expansions in its day. However, there was to be a third expansion. "Half-Life: Decay". While this wonderful addition to the series didn't make it officially to most versions of the game, it did rear its head on the Ps2 port as a bonus mode. Playing a little differently from the main campaign, this split-screen experience has you playing as 2 female scientists donning the HEV suits, and solving an array of puzzles during the events of the initial game. Perfect for those couples that like to work together to solve a problem.

Whoever you play with, we hope you enjoy sharing these classics with someone special in your life as much as we enjoy sharing them with you.