For Nintendo and Game Lovers Everywhere

Even those of us who now own XBOX, Playstation, and/or Nintendo Wii, it's almost a surefire bet that given the chance to play the old-school games from the 1980s, we'd do it.

1980-games.com

While there are hundreds of emulators available online for download, not all of them are compatible with every system, and some have even been found to contain viruses. The Surnova worm, according to Sophos.com, disguises itself as emulator software, particularly that of the XBOX and Nintendo GameCube.

So, this begs the question, "Are there legitimate emulator sites out there?" The answer is yes. One, in particular, doesn't require the user to download any sort of software. The games are available right on the site, as long as you have Java enabled on your browser. 1980-games.com features a number of great selections, including Pac-Man, Tetris, Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog, and Metroid.

The X button on your keyboard represents the Nintendo "A button," while Z represents the "B button." Enter is used for Start, Space for Select, and P for Pause. Sounds great, right? Yes and no.

Because you're using your keyboard, in this instance, certain games are much easier to play than others. Arguably, the easiest games to play in this format are RPGs, such as the Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy series. Due to the lack of an actual controller in your hands, it's hard to pull off some of the fancy maneuvers you may have used on your original NES. However, to a truly skilled player, this may not make a huge difference.

The RPGs use a save-state that is directly connected to the website. However, if you happen to be in the middle of one of these games, and you erase your Internet History, your game will disappear in a flash. While this isn't a major problem, it's recommended that you refrain from cleaning the History directory, or Cookies, until you've finished your game.

That aside, the games are almost exactly like having the actual NES in front of you; the graphics and sound are practically identical. One other warning: the screen on which you play is very small, which means it may take awhile for your eyes to adjust. After some time, however, it won't make too much of a difference.

Beyond the Nintendo games, there are a number of remakes of the classic Nintendo and Sega games, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Castlevania, and The Legend of Zelda. Some of these remakes are great; others, not so much. While the graphics may look incredible compared to the NES versions, the play control is often terrible. In fact, this would be my biggest complaint about the site. If you're going to play an emulated game, it is much easier, in fact, to do so on your XBOX, or another system that permits such games. Of course, for those who don't own an XBOX, or have concerns about installing suspicious software, 1980-games is an ideal site to use.

It's worth mentioning that in addition to the games themselves, the site has a number of related videos to complement each game (also available on YouTube, but here they're neatly arranged together.) For example, under "Super Mario Bros. 3," you'll find the infamous video of an anonymous player completing the game in approximately 11 minutes, without losing a life or even getting hit. Under "Dragon Warrior 4," you can see clips of the Japanese version(s) of the game, released for PlayStation and other systems.

Shockwave.com

If Shockwave games are more your style, it'll be worth your time to browse through Shockwave.com, the homepage for all things Shockwave and Flash. Shockwave.com carries an amazing variety of games, including puzzles, card games (poker, blackjack, etc.) racing, shooters, and sports.

Included among the top puzzle games are Bejeweled 2, the spectacularly addictive matching game using diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. The concept is simple: match rows of three or more of the same gem, and you gain points. The real key, however, is setting off "chain reactions" that score multiple points, and clear the board faster. Unfortunately, the game itself is no longer available online; you need to download it. The download version can be played free for a limited time, and then you'll be asked to purchase it. Having downloaded (and paid for) the Deluxe version, however, I can say that it's worth it. It includes cool music, great visual effects and sound, and play modes that can't be found on the Shockwave site.

In the "Music and Photos" category, one of the most popular games is Sveerz, a catchy puzzle game that includes a great funky soundtrack by composer Michael Sweet. The object of the game is to match a sequence of colors and musical notes, represented by the "Sveerz," little singing gumball-shaped creatures. The concept is very similar to the classic Simon, but Sveerz takes it a few steps further by giving the Sveerz the ability to sing notes and make facial expressions as you play. In between rounds, you may notice some clever parodies of famous paintings in the background, with Sveerz randomly inserted into them (example: Edward Hopper's Nighthawks).

Also popular with the artistic crowd may be InkLink, a version of charades (or Pictionary) in which you're given a word or phrase, and asked to draw it. The rest of the players have to guess in the time allotted. During this game, you can also chat with other players, using thought balloons connected to your screen name. Any obvious profanity used, however, is automatically censored; this even extends into instant messaging. WARNING: for younger players, many of these instant messages tend to involve cybersex or other adult-themed ideas. If you're over 18, however, it's fair to say that anything goes. The only major disadvantage of InkLink may be its lack of variety; if you play often, you'll tend to see the same answers again.

If you're a gamer and you happen to have the free time on your hands, definitely check out both of these sites. You may even be able to get your friends in for a few rounds.