What retro games would make interesting video game programming tutorials?

My suggestion, in a nutshell: -Definitely 2D -Minimum physics -Minimum resources needed (graphics, sounds) unless you're gonna provide them in your tutorial. -Fun factor: Multiplayer games are easier to enjoy with friends. -Preferably a game in which you don't have to tediously design a lot of maps. My suggestion, the long version: For a game tutorial for newbies, you need something simple. I suggest games like Pong or Brickbreaker which can be made with no graphics and simple geometrical shapes (Plus the reflection physics are really simple). Or for a more advanced one, tile-based games. Preferably 2d games which require minimum resources to be useful. Snakes is a good example. Pac-man can work but designing the levels can be tedious. Same goes with Sokoban/brick-pushing puzzles. Platformers like Super Mario Bros can be interesting, though again, levels are tedious. Personally speaking from a newbie developer who just tried to make his first game, Multiplayer games are better. You're going to be able to enjoy the game you just made with friends (or to be honest, show it off) and it simply pays off all the effort you put into. This increases the appeal in the finished tutorial product. Repeating above points, it's best to create a tutorial on a 2-D game with minimum physics and animation, plus minimum need to create maps. Which is why I chose a Bomberman-esque game as my first game, and didn't regret it one bit. Easy enough to create, fun enough to play with friends. It would be a great candidate for a tutorial, with my other main recommendations being Pong or Snakes.

Tetris because is well know, does not require specific graphics, and is really good for a "first lesson". In fact it depends of your target audience, and the level of complexity you want to reach. My personnal obsession was Nebulus ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebulus_%28video_game%29 )

When I was in high school, I was obsessed with how to recreate () Centipede. Battle Zone probably held my attention for a while. (At the time I was wasting a lot of time with Software's classic clone games for the BBC Micro—Defender, Pacman, Scramble, Donkey Kong and so on.)

In my opinion, this is the best way to make a tutorial to start making retro/flixel games(providing you know at least the basics of programming): http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/619388 There's also a number two, so check it. It's easy to understand, takes you step by step to create a really simple platformer game. And it really tells you exactly what you need to start. This was enough for me to start making my own games. So, my suggestion would be to take a concept, build a really basic game around it and dissasemble it step by step to make it into a tutorial. I personally would like to see some tutorials based on Final Fight/TNMT or any of the action rpgs in vein of Secret of Mana/Illusion of Time/Zelda.

Adventures of Lolo or Sokoban. Block puzzles seem simple enough to program from the ground up, whether or not one chooses to use a pre-made game engine (like Game Maker).

roller coaster tycoon or animal crossing. Simulations can create massively complex, emergent structures from a very small amount of code. Watching the patterns unfold can be beautiful to behold, each time uniquely different. A subtle tweak, and it becomes something else entirely.

Hello there, i wrote an interesting Tetris remake with retro graphics and physic engine. This is an iPhone and Android game, the game is called LightFields feel free to get it and tell me what you think about. LightFields webpage : http://jadegame.com/games/lightfields/

How about Elite or the old Star Wars game (both vector based)? Bad Dudes was pretty cool. I'll also add another vote for Pacman. This is a brilliant idea by the way. I'd love to know when the tutorials are released.

I would really enjoy anything from the Cinemaware library such as Defender of the Crown or It Came From the Desert.