Why Retro Games are Becoming so Popular
Retro games are enjoying a bit of a boom right now. They're not just appealing to old people who grew up playing games like Pac Man or Donkey Kong - they're also attracting gamers of all ages, and there's no sign of that trend slowing down any time soon. So what exactly is driving this retro gaming craze? And why are so many gamers nostalgic for the days of yore? Let's take a look.
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What is Retro Gaming?
Retro gaming is a broad term used to describe the practice of playing old video games. Games that have been released prior to the 1980s are often described as retro because they take place in an earlier time period. People who play retro games are often called “retro gamers.”
There are many different types of retro games, including arcade games, console games, and computer games. They can be played on computers, consoles, or arcade cabinets.
Many retro gamers also collect old games and other related memorabilia. This can include everything from vintage controllers to vintage posters and magazines.
Why Are Retro Games So Popular Right Now?
Retro games are extremely popular right now because they offer a nostalgic experience for those who grew up playing classic video games. They appeal to the nostalgia of many people, and they’re also quite fun to play. Additionally, retro games are often cheaper than newer games, so they make an affordable option for casual gamers.
Most people who play retro games have a personal connection to them. For example, many gamers grew up playing Nintendo games on their Nintendo systems. This means that they have a strong emotional connection to these games, even if they’ve never played them before.
Moreover, retro games offer a lot of variety, due to the fact that there are thousands of different games available for every single system. Moreover, retro games are a lot cheaper than modern games, so gamers will save a lot of money if they switch to retro gaming. Retro games are also a lot more accessible than modern games. You do not need to be a hardcore gamer to enjoy retro games. All you need is a couch, controller, and a desire to relax!
The Future of Retro Gaming
The future of retro gaming is bright, with the resurgence of older and younger players alike. The appeal of nostalgic games and hardware, as well as the affordability of modern-day consoles and controllers, is a draw for both gamers and collectors alike.
Today’s retro gaming landscape is more diverse than ever before, with titles for every type of player. From authentic arcade machines to authentic reproductions of classic toys, you can find everything you need to play your favorite games from yesteryear.
The growing popularity of retro gaming has led to a number of exciting developments over the last few years. First and foremost, more and more people are discovering their love of retro games. The internet has played a massive role in this regard, with online forums full of enthusiastic retro gamers sharing their knowledge and providing advice for those looking to get started. Secondly, more and more companies are producing increasingly sophisticated reproductions of classic hardware¹. This not only brings these games closer to fans across the world but also gives them access to technologies that were previously hard to acquire or simply too expensive.
All in all, it seems like the future of retro gaming is bright indeed!
Where to Get Your Hands on Some Classic Video Games
Video games are some of the most popular forms of entertainment today, and for good reason: they can be a lot of fun! But classic video games can be hard to come by. That’s where secondhand stores come in. Some stores specialize in selling older video games, and you can often find them at garage sales, pawn shops, or online.
There are also online platforms that allow you to buy and sell secondhand video games with other gamers. You may find that you can pick up some rare classics for a fraction of the price you would pay retail.
If you’re looking for something more specific, there are also sites that specialize in retro video games from older consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super Nintendo (SNES). These sites often have a wide range of great titles available for purchase, so it’s definitely worth checking them out!
Final Words
There are many reasons why people play classic video games today. Some like to relive their childhood, while others are simply interested in playing a particular game for its entertainment value rather than a nostalgic longing for days gone by. Regardless of your motivation for playing, there's no denying that the experience can be fun.
If you're interested in retro games, you can find thousands of old titles on various platforms. They're often cheaper than modern games, and the experience is similar to playing old arcade games. Although most people who play them are young or nostalgic, there's no reason why you can't play these games at any age.
You can even play retro games online against other players, and you can see ratings and rankings of those players. They are also available on a number of different platforms, so you can find a retro game that suits your interest whether you prefer playing on a computer, a console, or an arcade cabinet.
In short, there are lots of reasons to enjoy classic video games, and playing them can help you to relax, make new friends, and (if you're lucky) find a hidden gem that you didn't even know existed!
¹Links to Some Modern Retro Hardware
Note: None of these are referral links. These are just some of the devices that caught my interest recently.
Did I miss anything?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! Or join me on the VIMM Discord.
Nice post bro, I myself have a N64 with more than 20 games man...
I already sold a lot of things in my life, but this one I'm keeping to my future son! o/
Happy to know that there are people who appreciate classic consoles like I do here in Hive. Who knows maybe one day I'll post some gameplay 😉
Hi Chiren,
great article. You and me both like those old games from the golden era.
I start project next week, where I'm going to play 100 games of every old console up to the Playstation 2 / gamecube era.
The retro boom is partially due to emulator, who pop up everywhere, but second-hand stores and flea markets (on and offline) as well.
How nice to see content related to retro consoles I am also giving a contribution to what is the maintenance of these consoles especially the nintendo.
Preserving classic games and hardware is what got me started collecting that stuff. Glad you're doing your part to preserve the classics!
I think the only really confusing part for me about this is that the photo says "Nintendo Playstation" lol (The controllers look something like...TurboGrafx-16 or something? I don't know what they are, but it might be a bootleg NES; definitely not Playstation related unless its a Polystation lol)
Otherwise I find really cool to see someone talking about this; I'd like to add that aside from nostalgia, there's some people that are straight up annoyed about the state of AAA gaming from most companies, while others definitely are interested in trying out some of the older entries of their favorite series.
In any case, I consider this a win; I'm currently writing something about the importance (and cool factor) of emulation, which I'd say is relevant into this discussion since its single-handedly the reason why retro games are so accessible to people in first place.
Nope, The Playstation was (almost) an add-on peripheral for the Super Nintendo. It was meant to be a joint venture between Sony and Nintendo. When the two couldn't come to agreement over the revenue split from licensing, Sony decided to jump into the gaming space and tell Nintendo to pound sand.
The only North American Prototype known to exist just sold at auction around 3 years ago for over $300,000 USD.
As for the pic, it's definitely a bootleg Famicom. There's tons of those overseas. The Famicom games on the table also give it away.
I laughed when I saw it too! But I just copy the caption as is from where I source the picture :P
Oh for sure. This probably played a big role, maybe subconsciously, in me sticking with my collection of older games and continuing to grow it rather than acquiring a modern gaming console.
Don't get me wrong, though. I still love a good AAA game when it's done well and not plagued with predatory monetization techniques.
I'll keep an eye out for that post of yours. Cheers!
My $150 copy of Panzer Dragoon Zwei, My $1000 .Hack set, my $300 Xenosaga set, and my $130 copy of Conker's Bad Fur Day, beg to differ.
Oh god, no. Playing retro games on original hardware, much less streaming it, is becoming increasingly difficult. As controllers wear out, lasers in optical drives die, and the TVs that play said games lose their lustre, retro gaming is actually less accessible than modern gaming. Devices like the RetroTink 5X are constantly sold out, because they offer the best compatibility with modern TVs for a wide variety of inputs. That's partially why remasters get so much attention nowadays. It's easier to take the source code, recompile it for a new console, and give people the retro experience on a modern system.
Retro Gaming is expensive and unforgiving, but it is also incredibly satisfying. They don't make games like they used to, and it shows! This is precisely why I don't hate on people who emulate, especially when some games and/or consoles are so prohibitively expensive or even non-functioning due to a myriad of issues. Preserving games is an important thing, and we need more game companies jumping on board with sharing their works with future generations.
I was thinking that mostly due to advances in emulation and the cheaper hardware that's available today. (Clones, handhelds, etc.)
Of course original hardware and especially disc based systems are getting harder to find. And most of the older consoles you can find will have something damaged. Usually due simply to the age of the hardware, other times due to being neglected for so long.
Don't get me started on recording/streaming and display on original hardware. It has gotten better in recent years with some cheaper, more accessible scalers and capture cards. But it's still a pain in the butt to manage consoles that all run on different resolutions and use different outputs.
N64 for life bro
While it may be hard to imagine, retrogaming has been popular since at least the early 1990s. That's when the first emulators really started being made that were useful for playing games. MAME was born around that time. The first Activision retro collections were published, etc. The oldest issues of Retro Gamer are easily old enough to be considered retro themselves.
!PGM
Retro games really don't get the spotlight often enough. It's really nice to see it's 'resurgence' as affordable hardware, until not too long ago all you could get was antique consoles for a leg and an arm.
No loot boxes and microtransactions. Just plain fun.