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7:55 am
February 3, 2012
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Jantrit
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| RDub | posts 2 | |
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Hi I'm a keen retro gamer and I'm doing an article about classic gaming for a website I write for, 8bit and 16 bit era sort of thing and its basically asking why people are so hot for them despite the fact that they're aged, technologically inferior and all that stuff compared to the games run by the power houses that are todays consoles.
I'm thinking I'll do it as a comparison thing, difference between graphics then and now, gameplay then and now, stance towards innovation then and now etc and see how they compare to the newer stuff thats out there. I'm going to spend a fair while researching it but as part of my research I'm looking for some input from other people who play them and was wondering what you think makes them so awesome and points you think I should consider in the article.
Thanks 
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8:48 am
February 3, 2012
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VGTO
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| RDub | posts 39 | |
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I think in general simpler doesn't always equal worse.
The simple graphic and sound of older games have their own charm and nostalgia. Also games were much more simple in concept back then. Almost anyone could pick up Super Mario Bros and play it with no tutorial whatsoever. The same could probably not be said for most games these days. Sure any "gamer" can figure it out, but throw your mom the controller and it's a whole different story.
Now that the consoles are so powerful the creators feel less compelled (in general) to be as creative with their resources. Games like Punchout or Super Mario Bros 3 pushed the NES in new ways and used all new methods to create a new gameplay experience.
There's something to be said for having strict limitations and having to work hard to stay inside of them. When you're free to do anything then you can often get off track on things that are otherwise unimportant. So I guess what I'm saying is, limitations provide structure.
For me pixelated graphics and bleep bloop type sounds will always have their own place, even if I do enjoy modern games on a regular basis.
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9:15 am
February 3, 2012
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plsburydoughboy
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| Retro Veteran | posts 549 | |
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Not having done a review myself, but being a fan of retro gaming reviews, let me share what I think.
IMHO the most effective retro gaming reviews make a simple point; does the game hold up? Gameplay, sound, graphics and even loading times might date a game terribly, but if it's worth it, people will want to hear you explain why.
And of course, the quality of some games remain the subject of debate (Banjo Kazooie, Battle of Olympus) so you should be able to defend your opinion. Even if people will disagree, if you make valid points no one will be able to discredit it.
Finally, some people put an entertaining spin on their reviews, but frankly it doesn't always work. Be open to feedback and believe me, some games can stand on their own.
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2:51 pm
February 3, 2012
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Jantrit
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| RDub | posts 2 | |
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plsburydoughboy said:
Not having done a review myself, but being a fan of retro gaming reviews, let me share what I think.
IMHO the most effective retro gaming reviews make a simple point; does the game hold up? Gameplay, sound, graphics and even loading times might date a game terribly, but if it's worth it, people will want to hear you explain why.
And of course, the quality of some games remain the subject of debate (Banjo Kazooie, Battle of Olympus) so you should be able to defend your opinion. Even if people will disagree, if you make valid points no one will be able to discredit it.
Finally, some people put an entertaining spin on their reviews, but frankly it doesn't always work. Be open to feedback and believe me, some games can stand on their own.
Its not really a review, its an article analysing why they are still considered so good. Though the point that the games themselves hold up so well after all this time is something I can use
And I shall be making video reviews at some point in the future when I get a capture card to record my own footage so I shall keep all youve said in mind
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3:32 pm
February 3, 2012
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D-Pad
| | Missouri City, TX | |
| Retro Veteran | posts 813 | |
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I think Ben (VGTO) said it best. Simplicity makes the games more charming.
Think of it in terms of writing a paper…would you rather a 5 page essay with tons of fluff, or a 1 page essay that gets to the point. Brevity is the soul of wit…William Shakespeare. =-)
Games back then were almost completely about the fun-factor. Some barely bothered to tell a story, and mainly focused on entertaining the gamer. I believe this was a smart approach. As games evolved, story did become a more predominant piece of the gaming pie, but it rarely overshadowed the fun-factor of games. It seems as technology has advanced, the focus has strayed from game play and more to other aspects. Graphics, sound, replay value (i.e. online, multi-player, co-op), etc. etc.
I feel many games from this day & age have forgotten the most important thing…the game must be fun to play. I feel that Uncharted has pulled this off better than anyone. Fun gameplay, varied gameplay, beautiful graphics, brilliant sound, ingenious story, interesting characters, just a perfect blend. You'll find games here & there that get the job done, sure, but I believe Uncharted is in it's own category.
Retro games almost always hit it where it counts, the fun factor. Some could tell brilliant stories through gameplay. Almost similar to a wrestling match. Two wrestlers can face off and not say a word, but their match tells a story.
I don't know if I expressed myself as well as I wanted or perhaps could, but I hope you find this helpful in your endeavors.
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7:52 pm
February 3, 2012
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plsburydoughboy
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| Retro Veteran | posts 549 | |
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D-Pad said:
Games back then were almost completely about the fun-factor.
Aww man, when you wrote this, I just remembered Gamepro got dissolved last year T__T
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8:46 am
February 4, 2012
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D-Pad
| | Missouri City, TX | |
| Retro Veteran | posts 813 | |
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plsburydoughboy said:
D-Pad said:
Games back then were almost completely about the fun-factor.
Aww man, when you wrote this, I just remembered Gamepro got dissolved last year T__T
Never an avid reader of Gamepro, but I know your pain. When EGM died…MAN that hurt. I had learned to truly care for & love that group of writers/editors/etc…thanks to the 1UP Show (in my opinion, maybe the best review show ever…at least for current-gen games) I really got to know them well. So when I read their reviews, I could see their personalities shine. It was awesome. Then it returned and…like the dead Kenneth from Resident Evil 1, it was a shadow of it's former self. =-(
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3:18 pm
February 7, 2012
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MasterNeocasko
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| Super RDub | posts 77 | |
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I personally have a hard time saying why on a technological level.
But I have a thing for sprites and enjoy the quick "pick up and play" of games back then. Simple controls, the best ones are fairly challenging, and a lot of it comes from nostalgia.
The most nostalgic games for me personally are the ones on the GBA, but I can't help but like the ones before it as well. Also, I did play a PC complation of Genesis games called Sega Smash Pack 2 as a little kid.
So I think it's a mix of nostalgia for those who grew up with them and the fact they were foundations for newer games to come out.
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8:45 pm
February 7, 2012
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D-Pad
| | Missouri City, TX | |
| Retro Veteran | posts 813 | |
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MasterNeocasko said:
I personally have a hard time saying why on a technological level.
But I have a thing for sprites and enjoy the quick "pick up and play" of games back then. Simple controls, the best ones are fairly challenging, and a lot of it comes from nostalgia.
The most nostalgic games for me personally are the ones on the GBA, but I can't help but like the ones before it as well. Also, I did play a PC complation of Genesis games called Sega Smash Pack 2 as a little kid.
So I think it's a mix of nostalgia for those who grew up with them and the fact they were foundations for newer games to come out.
Oh man, for sure. Sprites are always pleasing to the eyes. I always get excited to see the modern-use of sprites, and to know that that style of graphical choice isn't dead yet. The King of Fighters games are a good example. =-)
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9:13 pm
February 7, 2012
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MasterNeocasko
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| Super RDub | posts 77 | |
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D-Pad said:
MasterNeocasko said:
I personally have a hard time saying why on a technological level.
But I have a thing for sprites and enjoy the quick "pick up and play" of games back then. Simple controls, the best ones are fairly challenging, and a lot of it comes from nostalgia.
The most nostalgic games for me personally are the ones on the GBA, but I can't help but like the ones before it as well. Also, I did play a PC complation of Genesis games called Sega Smash Pack 2 as a little kid.
So I think it's a mix of nostalgia for those who grew up with them and the fact they were foundations for newer games to come out.
Oh man, for sure. Sprites are always pleasing to the eyes. I always get excited to see the modern-use of sprites, and to know that that style of graphical choice isn't dead yet. The King of Fighters games are a good example. =-)
I agree on King of Fighters. They look amazing even! I have always had a thing for sprites (in some ways, I like them over 3D graphics).
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