Undoubtedly one of the most important eras of video games, the 1980s were filled to the brim with strife and change for the industry. It saw the home console market die, then explode again, and saw the emergence of many of today's most prominent franchises. Franchises like Super Mario Bros., Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, and The Legend of Zelda all took their first steps, ushering in a new generation with gusto.