Video games provide players with a genuine form of escapism. While some video games offer beautiful worlds to explore, others give fans neat power-ups and gadgets to tamper with. Considering how expansive gaming has gotten over the years, it makes sense for developers to provide players with different or similar spins on the power-up concept.
Therefore, we’d like to note the 10 best video game power-ups of all time. From the powerful Super Star from Super Mario Bros. to Pac-Man’s Power Pellet, you’ll adore the choices we’ve listed here.
As always, if we happen to miss one of your favorites, feel free to leave a comment below.
Super Star (Super Mario Bros.)
In addition to rewarding students with high letter grades for their achievements, some teachers like placing gold star stickers on their students’ work. These stickers serve as colorful, motivational tools to entice students to strive for further success. Like the gold star stickers, the “Super Star” in Super Mario Bros. and beyond will fill people with the same feeling of delight and encouragement.
With it, players can roam the Mushroom Kingdom’s areas without fear. Regardless if you’re encountering a horde of Goombas or Bowser himself, this item ensures you’ll walk away from each bout unscathed. Yet, unlike a grade you receive on an exam, the Super Star’s power won’t last forever. Yet, you’ll appreciate the incredible sensation the Super Star gives you.
Aku Aku (Crash Bandicoot)
Crash Bandicoot has made a phenomenal comeback in recent years. From a trilogy remake to a wacky party game featuring him, his sister, and his archenemy, Neo Cortex, it doesn’t look like fans need to worry about him leaving the gaming sphere for another decade or so. However, like his former rival Mario, Crash has quirks that make him a staple in several gaming homes.
One of his most unique power-ups stems from his friend, Aku Aku. Considering Crash’s games have you traversing levels filled with multiple obstacles and enemies, you’ll be thanking Naughty Dog for giving him a buddy as strong as Aku Aku. If you collect enough Aku Aku masks from a specific crate, he’ll make you feel like an unstoppable force (kind of).
Although the glittering Aku Aku mask power-up doesn’t protect you from certain types of damage and has a time limit (like our previous entry), you’ll appreciate its inclusion, especially if you’re not an avid gamer.
BFG9000 (Doom series)
Hell is no joke, especially in the Doom universe. Although you control a hulking figure who has an impressive arsenal of abilities and weapons at his disposal, the Doom series isn’t afraid to ramp up the difficulty during its later portions. The enemies range in power, appearance, and skill, which can make matters difficult for players who’ve never played a shooter like Doom before.
Thankfully, one item called the BFG9000 will make players’ hellish experience more thrilling and less revolting (sort of). Anyway, with this massive blaster, players can plow through foes like their mowing their lawn on a hot summer’s day. Like the “Super Star” and Aku Aku, you’ll feel like this universe’s king with the power this weapon gives you.
While the BFG’s power level isn’t “over 9000,” you’ll certainly feel like it is.
Metal Blade (Mega Man 2)
Although Street Fighter, Resident Evil, and Monster Hunter feel like Capcom’s darlings nowadays, others may be interested in franchises that don’t receive as much attention. Though Mega Man is not necessarily an abandoned property, many would love to see Capcom do more exciting things with his brand.
This super-fighting robot has tackled numerous foes over the years, each bearing gadgets, personalities, and battles that left players with quite the impression, especially in Mega Man 2. To combat his foes, Capcom bestowed their heroic robot with the Metal Blade. It’s a weapon that’ll make you feel like a walking death machine in certain villains’ eyes.
With it, Mega Man can attack foes horizontally and vertically, giving him more range and a higher chance to avoid troublesome scenarios. While the item doesn’t affect many enemies in Mega Man 2, it has its uses and is a sufficient item you’ll want to equip this fellow with.
Screw Attack (Metroid)
Metroid’s received a pleasant resurgence in recent years thanks to the miraculous praise MercurySteam received from their work on Metroid: Samus Returns. While fans await the day Nintendo delivers news about Metroid Prime 4, it’d be fitting to reminiscence on Samus’s past experiences and the items that helped her during those treacherous times.
Samus’s Screw Attack power-up was a pleasant find in the original Metroid. This item improves Samus’s mobile and battle efforts significantly, giving players better options to complete their journies swiftly without the fear of death looming over their heads. While Samus acquires other neat upgrades along the way, the Screw Attack is one worth seeking out.
Spread Gun (Contra)
Imagine merging the BFG 9000’s firepower with the Metal Blade’s directional options, and adding more possibilities into the mix. You’d end up with a weapon like Contra’s Spread Gun. With it, you’ll feel like a true commando in this world, annihilating foes as you traverse through this franchise’s colorful levels.
Much like others on this list, players adore this weapon because it makes traversing maps enjoyable. Additionally, it gives you nice air and ground coverage, which gives it more significance. As long as you use this marvelous gadget strategically, you should find your time with the Contra series satisfying.
Super Form (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)
In any form of media, it’s always incredible to see a character you love receive a boost in strength. Whether it’s Goku transforming into a Super Saiyan on Planet Namek or someone enraging Bruce Banner to the point where he “hulks out,” seeing heroes reach an unattainable state will likely get your blood flowing.
Sega enthusiasts attained a similar sensation seeing Sonic achieve his Super Form state in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. With this power, Sonic becomes a destructive, speedy force, who can pummel through enemies and reach his level’s end at a remarkable pace. While other video games have neat invincibility-themed power-ups, this one packs more of a wallop.
Smash Ball (Super Smash Bros.)
Super Smash Bros. is a gaming franchise that’s endlessly fun to play and watch. Whether casually or competitively, the game promises gamers will be satisfied with its variety of modes, characters, music, and items. While its items aren’t favored highly in the game’s hardcore community, most players appreciate the hilarious antics that can ensue when they’re enabled.
The “Smash Ball,” which was first introduced in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, fits this description perfectly. After hitting it numerous times with your preferred character, you’ll gain access to that being’s super-attack. Each attack varies per fighter and can assist you in winning the battle if you use it correctly.
Be warned though. You can lose access to the Smash Ball’s powers if an opposing player damages you a lot. Therefore, it’s best to press that “B” button and activate your character’s move quickly.
Power Pellet (Pac-Man)
Every person has that one figurehead they respect. Whether they admire them for their actions or what they represent, there are reasons why these individuals receive the “icon” status. Although he’s not discussed a lot in modern gaming circles, Pac-Man’s an important and unforgettable figure many retro gamers hold in high regard.
Our circular hero’s Power Pellet power-up bestows you with enough feel-good energy to get you through a rough day’s work. After gobbling up this yellow sphere, Pac-Man’s ghostly enemies transform into spineless blue ghosts who’d rather flee than fight Namco’s mascot head-on. While it’s not the most visually or mechanically impressive power-up of all time, you’ll cherish the adrenaline boost Pac-Man’s Power Pellet grants you.
Electro Bolt Plasmid (Bioshock)
While observing snow showers and thunderstorms can provide you with relaxing experiences, no one wants to get caught in the middle of those weather conditions. Thankfully, many video games give players a chance to tamper with Mother Nature’s beauty in resourceful and fun ways. Bioshock is one of the games that uses natural phenomena like electricity effectively.
The Electro Bolt Plasmid is a useful and neat power-up in Bioshock. With it, players can leave their enemies in helpless conditions and complete challenges that could lead them to unexpected and rewarding areas. Moreover, the sound effects accompanying the Electro Bolt Plasmid will fill players with immense joy, enticing them to use it over other Plasmids in our protagonist’s arsenal.
So, there we have it, our picks for the 10 best video game power-ups of all time!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!