# Vintage Video Game Marketing These Retro Gaming Ads Take Us Back To A Simpler Time By Jordan Sowunmi | Published 2011-12-13 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-gaming-ads References: [retronaut.co](http://www.retronaut.co/2011/12/video-game-ads-1980s-1990svideo-game-ads-from-the-80s-and-90s/) & [damncoolpictures](http://www.damncoolpictures.com/2011/12/55-vintage-video-game-print-ads-from.html) If you're like me and you came of the age in the late 80s or early 90s, these retro gaming ads will take you back to a simpler time. Long before the video game industry was a billion dollar enterprise, with conventions and major multi-platform marketing pushes, they were a niche product marketed towards children in the same way fast-food and toys were. In these retro gaming ads, we see some of the best [video game posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rollercoaster-tycoon-collection) the late 90s and early 90s had to offer, including marketing for some of the biggest brands of the era like [Street Fighter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/street-fighter-menu) and Double Dragon. Other highlights in these retro gaming ads include video games adapted from movies, like Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Total Recall, and Rambo. Despite the legendary nature of the games I just mentioned, my favorite part of these retro gaming ads is the poster for the WWF "Rage of the Cage" game. Nothing reminds me of childhood more than a wrestling video game, and the cover highlights two of my favorite wrestlers: Ted DiBiase and Randy Savage. Click through this collection of retro gaming ads to get in touch with your inner-child. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Nostalgic Marketing:** Opportunity for businesses to tap into consumers' nostalgia for retro gaming ads and create marketing campaigns that evoke a sense of nostalgia. - **Retro Gaming Merchandise:** Potential for businesses to capitalize on the popularity of retro gaming ads by selling merchandise inspired by classic video games and their marketing materials. - **Virtual Retro Gaming Events:** Possibility for businesses to organize virtual events that celebrate retro gaming ads and bring together a community of fans for gaming tournaments and discussions. ### Who This Affects Most - **Marketing and Advertising:** Opportunity for marketing agencies to incorporate elements of nostalgia in their campaigns, using retro gaming ads as inspiration. - **E-commerce:** Potential for e-commerce platforms to create specialized marketplaces for retro gaming merchandise, catering to the growing demand from nostalgic consumers. - **Gaming and Entertainment:** Possibility for gaming companies to create virtual retro gaming events, attracting both nostalgic gamers and new players interested in experiencing classic video games. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nostalgic Gaming Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaming-snacks.md) - [Retro Gaming Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gamestation-retro.md) - [Retro Plug-and-Play Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wireless-plug-play-systems.md) - [Retro Video Game Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gamestop-retro.md) - [Anniversary-Celebrating Retro Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atari-xp.md) - [Vibrant Retro Handheld Gaming](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pocket-classic.md) - [Nostalgic 90s-Inspired Gaming Consoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/analogue-3d-funtastic.md) - [Gamer-Inspired Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kitkat1.md) - [Gaming Ads-Inspired Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/those-games.md)