The evolution of water effects

Micro Machines (1991, NES version)
The 8-bit version may look basic (as do the16-bit versions, in truth), but at least you do get the feeling you're in a bathtub. There's the classic iconography of bubbles, rubber ducks and even the swirling vortex of the plug hole all doing the job. Sliding over bars of soap and testing the spongy retention of the bubbly trackside is fun too. Sadly, no waves or reflections to speak of. This is just blue. Or green if you're playing Game Boy. The only indicator you've got is a tiny little wake made of splash patterns. Bless.

Above: The Game Boy version didn't even have blue, unlike the NES version (right)