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From pixels to polygons: 2D characters get three-dimensional

Years of Nazi torture will do that to your face.

Image Credit: Samir Torres/GamesBeat

With video game visuals looking more photo-realistic with each new generation, it’s hard to believe characters used to resemble flat, squared waffles not long ago.

Let’s travel back in time a few decades to see what your favorite heroes — plus an evil pig-man and a six-time NBA champion — looked like without their fancy 3D makeup on.

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Click here for more pixels to polygons comparisons.


Zero Suit Samus
Metroid: Zero Mission (2004)/Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS (2014)


Godzilla
Godzilla (1983)/Godzilla: Unleashed (2007)


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Axl Low
Guilty Gear (1998)/Guilty Gear Xrd (2014)


Marth
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (1990)/Fire Emblem: Awakening (2013)

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William “B.J.” Blazkowicz
Wolfenstein 3D (1992)/Wolfenstein: New Order (2014)


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Monkey D. Luffy
From TV Animation: One Piece: Become the Pirate King! (2000)/J-Stars Victory Vs (2014)


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Kirby
Kirby’s Dream Land (1992)/Kirby’s Return to Dream Land (2011)


Strider Hiryu
Strider (1989)/Strider (2014)

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Michael Jordan
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One (1988)/NBA 2K14 (2013)


Ganon
The Legend of Zelda (1986)/The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)