Epic Video Game Showdown: Classic 90s Rivalries Set to Make a Thrilling Comeback Next Week

Highlights

Next week, Nintendo and Sega, two fierce rivals in the 90s console wars, are releasing brand-new 2D platformer games within days of each other.

Both the Sonic and Super Mario games offer a nostalgic experience for fans of the 90s franchises, with their classic roots and 4-player co-op support. However, a notable distinction between the two is that Sonic has shifted its release platform to the Nintendo Switch, thereby ceasing its direct competitive rivalry with Nintendo.

The upcoming week holds great significance for those who grew up in the 90s, as it marks the revival of two iconic video game rivalries from that era. Although console wars were present before the 90s, it was the intense competition between Sega and Nintendo during this time that truly popularized the concept.

In the 90s, Nintendo and Sega were fierce adversaries, particularly when it came to their respective consoles - the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. These 16-bit gaming systems were closely matched at one point, with the Genesis enjoying significant popularity in North America. However, in the end, the SNES surpassed it. During the peak of the Sega and Nintendo rivalry, Sega introduced its own platformer mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, as a direct competitor to Nintendo's beloved Mario.

The age-old rivalry between Sega and Nintendo continues as they both release new 2D platformer games in their iconic franchises. Sega's Sonic Superstars is set to debut on Tuesday, October 17 across multiple platforms, while Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. Wonder will exclusively launch on Friday, October 20 for the Nintendo Switch.

The New Sonic and Mario Games Are Throwbacks

Not only are there new releases of Sonic and Super Mario games in the same week, but they are also nostalgic throwbacks to the original games that sparked their rivalry. Both Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Sonic Superstars are 2D platformers, reminiscent of the iconic Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog games that captivated audiences on the SNES and Sega Genesis in the 90s.

Both games also boast a unique twist. While co-op functionality existed in earlier Super Mario and Sonic games from the 90s, it pales in comparison to the cooperative gameplay experience offered in Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Sonic Superstars. As well as supporting up to four players, Super Mario Bros. Wonder goes above and beyond by incorporating an additional online multiplayer feature reminiscent of games like Dark Souls. Players can now interact with others on the same level, observing their progress and performance within the stage.

Nintendo and PlayStation Are Going Head to Head

In the upcoming week, two brand-new 2D games featuring Sonic and Super Mario are set to be released around the same time. What makes these games even more exciting is that they will allow four players to enjoy co-op gameplay. However, unlike the 90s, when Sega's Sonic was seen as a direct competitor to Nintendo, things have changed. Sonic may now compete with Super Mario, but interestingly enough, it will also be released on the Nintendo Switch. This means that instead of being rivals, both Sonic and Mario will be available on the same platform. Regardless of this shift, individuals who grew up in the 90s and fans of platformer games have a lot to anticipate next week, particularly if these games manage to meet the high standards set by their predecessors.

In addition to reigniting its longstanding rivalry with Sega and Sonic, Nintendo is also set to face off against PlayStation once again. Following Sega's decline in popularity due to underwhelming reception of the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast, a new era of console competition emerged, pitting Nintendo against PlayStation. This intense rivalry between Nintendo and PlayStation resulted in iconic franchises that were once closely associated with Nintendo making a switch to the PS1, ultimately leading to Sony's console outperforming Nintendo 64 in terms of overall sales figures.

PlayStation's dominance in console sales continued in the next generation, with the unparalleled success of the PS2 as the top-selling video game console ever, while Nintendo's GameCube struggled with low sales. However, Nintendo made a remarkable comeback with the Wii, outselling the PS3. From that point, Nintendo shifted its focus away from direct competition with PlayStation and Microsoft, forging its own path and disregarding the pursuit of console power.

This approach persisted with the Wii U, which unfortunately failed in the market, but the trend was reversed with the Switch, now ranking as the third highest-selling video game console of all time. While Nintendo and PlayStation are no longer direct competitors, their nostalgic rivalry from the 90s is reigniting as both companies are set to release their biggest games of 2023 on the same day.

On October 20, Sony will release the highly-anticipated PS5 exclusive game, Spider-Man 2. This coincides with the launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder for the Nintendo Switch. Gamers who own both consoles may face a difficult decision as they decide which game to prioritize.

Additionally, Sonic Superstars will be available on October 17 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.