With all these super graphic games available, everyone seems to forget the simple games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Space Invaders or Pac-Man. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that.
Don’t get me wrong, technology is moving on and evolving but sometimes you want to play a nice simple game to pass the time. You could be waiting for a train, plane or on your lunch break at work and need to take your mind off things. Sure you could play Jewells or a similar game but nothing compares to the old games.
I believe it’s now called retro gaming and yes I agree that having been watching and playing the computer games that are out now compared to the “retro games” you can certainly tell the difference. The quality and graphics have come a long way and the games that are out now have a more depth.
Of course we have to go embrace the new effects and techniques that goes into making a game but just don’t forget the oldies!
According to the technology journalist and retro game collector KG Orphanides while there’s definitely an element of nostalgia, it’s important to recognise how well designed many of those classic games are. The developers had so little space to work with – your average Sega Mega Drive or SNES cartridge had a maximum capacity of just 4MB – and limited graphics and sound capabilities where as the average game now weighs in at 40GB.
Why people love retro games?
They are cheap and cheerful
Gemma Wood, a retro lover from Basingstoke, has never put her Nintendo GameCube in the loft – despite having it for more than 15 years. She says she loves it, she really could not get on with the controls on the Wii [a more recent Nintendo console] and, with retro consoles, most of the games are cheap because they are second hand. The newer consoles and their games are incredibly expensive. Though she understands that a lot of hard work has gone into the design etc, but how can anyone justify £50 to £60 for a game that you might not even enjoy.
For others, it is a chance to show their children the computer games they grew up with. Howard Gardner, from south London, has revived his love of the Amstrad CPC and cannot wait to see the faces of his sons and daughter. Five years ago, when clearing out his uncle’s house, he found another CPC, restored it to working order and re-acquired some of his old favourite games from eBay – and a laughably outdated 3D modelling package.
Retro games are for all
Whatever your reason for picking up an old joypad, you are not alone, and it is not just an activity to take part in on your own or with the family at home. There is now a huge community of retro gamers across the country who love to share their passion. The National Videogame Arcade, which opened in Nottingham in 2015, is a centre of all things gaming.
It welcomes thousands of visitors every year and runs huge events to make the point that gaming is for everyone. The retro aspect has even spread to the way people buy their games. Kevin Cornwall manages retro games shop Playnation Games in Croydon and says the physical store adds to the feel. It is what people want and that feeling of nostalgia, being able to look through the games, see and feel the boxes. As modern gaming has had its pitfalls so now people are looking to the past to relive some real gaming memories.
If you want to try before you buy, there has also been a resurgence in arcades or gaming cafes. These were something more common in the US or Japan when the games took off, but now the UK is getting in on the action.
Konbo Arcade Cafe in Edinburgh offers classic arcade machines and believes a good game never goes out of style. According to owner Michael Cox Konbo is influenced by the Japanese arcade scene and, over there, old games weren’t removed and brought back in response to a trend – they never went away. They were simply accepted as good games – no level of gimmickry or nostalgia involved, no more than we would treat a 20-year-old film or piece of music as a novelty. A good game doesn’t stop being a good game, and there’s no reason a new generation of people can’t rediscover and enjoy it all over again.
Retro games also now come with a modern twist
One of the household names of the gaming revolution, Nintendo, has always been a big draw – so much so, it has revived some of its older consoles in brand new casings, offering a collection of games in one handy machine. Last year’s NES Classic was the must-have Christmas gift, but left fans disappointed when demand outstripped supply and the device was discontinued in April. Now, the company is bringing its SNES back in the same format and promising not to make the same error. Atari has also announced it will be bringing out a new console – 40 years after its original Video Computer System.
Retro gaming fans have welcomed the new devices – though it will not stop them collecting the original machines and cartridges. For a lot of people there is an element of nostalgia and being able to own all the games they wanted to play growing up. You may reminisce about these games in a fun way – the fighting with your siblings over the next turn or the shouts of “hadouken” as you battled. ou may recall a general feeling of confusion from the whole hubbub and noisy soundtrack. Or you may be dedicated to your modern Xbox, PlayStations and Switches. But in 2017, there is no denying the old school technology is well and truly back, and far from Game Over. (Source BBC News)
