The classics on modern systems

[kainemaxwell]

Does anyone here feel like it's "not the same" sometimes to be playing a classic game on a modern system, in a collection or downloaded to your system (Wii, XB360, etc)?

[NickmasterX]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I never liked playing ROMS even with a gamepad. Some people just don't have any other choice, and most gamers who don't collect sell their old systems.

[TNTPLUST]

For me there is more than playing the game to get the true "classic" experience. Inseting the cartridge, fumbling with 70's, 80's, or 90' controllers and dealing with a consoles little quirks is every bit as important to me as playing the game. One guy once said to me after seeing my classic collection, "what's the point? I can emulate every game you have on my PC". I just shook my head because he didn't get it. Then again I'm an old geezer and I played with these "classic" games when I was a boy.

[bangtango]

I tend to dislike collections of classics because they always seem to remove very minor stuff from the original. The other problem is that game companies always choose to reissue/remake the wrong version of a classic. For example, a little known arcade version instead of the NES version. Crap like that annoys me.

[XYXZYZ]

Certainly, they always manage to mess something up, and they usually have this cheap imitation feel when I play them.

[AMG]

While it is nice to have classic collections on modern consoles, I know what you're saying.

Nothing like having the real system with the real controller in your hands while playing classic games.

[retroman]

agree....i like the old ones better also...

[smork]

...they usually have this cheap imitation feel when I play them.

They do, don't they? It's like a fake antique -- OK for aesthetics, but somehow not right.

There's just something in the feel of using an original -- be that hardware or software.

[Neil Koch]

For most stuff, I'm good with collection discs/downloads. Obviously they're not as good as playing the real game, but with my limited budget/storage space, there would be no way that I would be able to buy all the games of my youth that I like. Plus it is really convienent to have a bunch of games all on one disc.

[KingCobra]

There's only been a handfull of Retro games I like on modern systems, one being RoboTron and SmashTV!(Midways GH) It's soo nice being able to use dual anilog sticks with games of this nature, but other than that?

It's "not the same" for sure.

[swlovinist]

I recently bought a telegames pong unit for $1...only to see that the battery holder was cracked making it non operable. After applying some super glue and using some rubberbands, I got the thing to work. Pong is a perfect example of something that you cant emulate, not the mention the funny story I had to get the thing to work.

[GaijinPunch]

The reason it doesn't feel the same is b/c it's not. Even last gen, most of the collections and reprints were far inferior to their originals. Call me anal, but I'm sure the Europeans can agree. With a CRT RGB monitor, the difference between playing games in 240p and 480i is like about the same as eating well groomed pussy and unkept ass.

The later Sega Ages 2500's & the Oretachi Gesen (past the first batch I believe) are the only reprints/collections I've heard of that have the games running natively.

The people who most need to be [inset extremely vulgar act here] are Taito, for not making such an option in their Taito Memories packs.

[Greg2600]

I share all your sentiments as well. I have roms and emus for practically everything. And while some systems are emulated better than others, it still never feels right. Which is why I hardly use the emus. I have them mostly for posterity and reference. So if I ever have a thought, hmmm, I'd like to play Golden Axe on Genesis....... I usually get bored of games for systems below the performance of the SNES (Atari, NES, SMS, TG-16, Genesis, Gameboy) after a couple minutes anyway, so it's not worth it for me to buy a lot of them physically. I would say the only exception is Arcade. I'm certainly not buying an actual arcade cabinet. I am crazy enough to consider one of those built for Mame units, although they're several thousand dollars. I'm probably just going to get a MAME joystick setup at some point, because Arcade games are really all I play on emulators. I am always amazed at them because they are harder to come by in emu or rom form, and applaud those who have spent the money to transfer the games from the boards, and then been able to create the emulator.

[KeyserSoze61]

For whatever reason, I just can't stand emulation any more. Its nice to get a sense of what a game is, but I typically will only spend about 5 minutes playing an emulated game. On the actual hardware, however, I will play that same game to the end (no save features, quick loads, etc.)

With that said, I'm fine with playing my modded Saturn to play burned copies. I can't afford to ebay Panzer Dragoon Saga or Radiant Silvergun at this broke college student phase of my life. But I still love playing those games on the original hardware.

To me, emulation : original hardware as watching a DVD : going to the theater. There is just something intangible, authentic, about the experience that makes it worthwhile.

[GaijinPunch]

I have roms and emus for practically everything. And while some systems are emulated better than others, it still never feels right.

The irony is that through a proper emulated setup, the differences are indiscernable. There are graphics cards that output15khz signals (what your old consoles output). Hook this up to aforementioned VGA monitor, and be in emulation heaven. This is almost always more accurate than playing crappy collections churned out by old-school-gone-sour companies (Taito, Sega, etc.). Playing Neo Geo through MAME w/ an Arcade VGA is fantastic.

[Gentlegamer]

Do all you guys that prefer the "original hardware" play your old systems on old 1980s TVs also?

[DarthKur]

Do all you guys that prefer the "original hardware" play your old systems on old 1980s TVs also?

I got my TV early in 92. Is that close enough? :-D
Plus I do have a couple other smaller sets that definitely fall into that category if not earlier.

[bangtango]

Do all you guys that prefer the "original hardware" play your old systems on old 1980s TVs also?

I don't know if you intended to be funny or not but that is the funniest thing I've read on here all day LOL

[j_factor]

It really depends. I think the original home ports of Smash TV sucked -- I'd much rather play it on Midway Arcade Treasures for Gamecube, with the lovely 8-way notched sticks.

[Damaramu]

I really don't mind either way. I play the collections for convenience. If I really have a need to play the originals, I'll just pull 'em out and plug 'em in.

I think my only complaint with some of these arcade collections are slightly blurred and stretched graphics seen on some (I'm looking at you Street Fighter Anniversary Collection and Street Fighter Alpha Anthology).

[Chris]

l Does anyone here feel like it's "not the same" sometimes to be playing a classic game on a modern system, in a collection or downloaded to your system (Wii, XB360, etc)?
Of course, cause it isn't exactly the same.
That doesn't mean that the experience is superior or inferior, it's just different.

I have a "dedicated PC", whose only purpose is the emulation of 8 and 16 bit machines, directly hooked up to my old CRT TV (no extra monitor) and two Playstation joypads (the very first digital-only ones without analog sticks that have a better digi-pad).
I've to say the experience can be as good if not better than playing the real thing in some cases. For example thx to the help of fan-translations I'm able to play Actraiser and Assault Suits Valken (aka Cybernator) in their unaltered/uncut versions without fighting the japanese language.
I'm also able to play games I'd never understand otherwise, like Front Mission: Gun Hazard.
We also shouldn't forget that some original controllers are worn out by now or aren't that good to begin with and while the possibility of savestates can ruin the gaming experience if you don't control yourself, it can also be beneficial if not abused. I just don't have the time anymore to invest countless hours like in my youth. So I gladly appreciate the possibility of stopping and continuing gaming sessions at will and don't even get me started on some games that featured endless passwords (Syndicate, River City Ransom, ..), what took ages back then is just a matter of pressing a single button now.
For me as a PAL gamer, it's even more beneficial, as I don't have to modify or import hardware anymore.

I'm also one that doesn't really want to fight the cable jungle behind his telly, I mean I have instant access (okay, the PC takes 40s to boot) to more than ten consoles, just imagine to have all of them hooked up at the same time.. what a nightmare.
Of course that isn't a problem for anyone who only collects games for one or two systems, but that's not for me. I've never understood such thinking, for me it's all about the games and not the hardware.

[smokehouse]

Other than arcade titles on modern consoles (Capcom collection, Midway collection etc) I don’t like compilations on modern systems. Like many have said, they just don’t feel right. I’m not sure what it is but there is definitely something missing…possibly it’s in my head. Playing NES titles on an emulator or Wii just isn’t the same. I have the Mega Man collection for the GC but it just doesn’t hold up to the original NES, SNES and PS1 versions some how…

[Soviet Conscript]

i have a "love hate" relationship with emulation

i've faced the whole "I can do all this on a PC" thought many a times and even came close to just selling off the whole collection. but a few things held me back

aside from the whole nostalgia and "feel" point i had a few practical reasons.

for one i'll mod the hell out of a system to get the best picture quality, so no, i wouldn't be caught dead playing most systems on a 80's TV. but i don't think a better picture changes the game, just brings out its best. i don't like sitting at a computer to play my games. i think they look better and play better on the origional console hooked up to a tv rather then a small monitor.
also never cared for the quality of emulation. I want something perfect and when emulating it always seems things were off, speed, sound some games wouldn't even run on certain emulators or graphics displayed incorrectly. maybe in the last year or two these emulators have been perfected but i just like the 100% compatability (in most cases) of the origional hardware. as well as the "feel".

I will use emulation in 2 cases as long as i own the origional software. thats NES RPG'S as i find the save features in nes games to unreliable and in translated games as i don't know japanese and want to play alot of these games. though if i can even here i try to use the origional hardware with the ROM by means of a copier or what not.

being a collector who like the manuals/cases and look of the real machines and games and being a practical person with limited apartment space i'm always battleing myself over the huge cost and space consumption of the real deal and the cheapness and oh so close to the real deal emulation (if the setup is done right) of a PC or Xbox

[Chris]

i don't like sitting at a computer to play my games. i think they look better and play better on the origional console hooked up to a tv rather then a small monitor.

Why not hooking up the PC to your TV and using you're favourite gamepad with an adaptor?

[hbkprm]

we need the classics in this time and age

[Soviet Conscript]

Why not hooking up the PC to your TV and using you're favourite gamepad with an adaptor?

i acually tried/do this. i thought it didn't look as good. i used a VGA to component transcoder. i suppose i could of fine tuned it if i really wanted to get a better looking picture but eh... the 40s boot up bothers me to, yes i'm picky

also that didn't solve my complaints about emulators themselves and there glitches (sound/graphics ect.) thats acually how i play my NES rpg's and nes translated roms though.

[OatBob]

I am quite satisfied with Wii's Virtual Console offerings. While pricey all the games play like the originals and the NES games still have that visual "pop". In fact, I might even have to say its more authentic than my current setup. I'm stuck with a top loader NES. For those of you unfamiliar with this particular console, it was a smaller re-release of the NES that helped rid of the blinking errors, but had a different CPU that caused lines on the screen. Also, no composite video output, it was RF only.

[jferio]

Emulation is one of those things that some people love, some people hate, and many are just ambivalent about. I prefer to play with original hardware, but I keep emulation around for those things I either can't get, or can't afford (mainly MAME), or for a quick fix that doesn't involve hauling out a controller and a cart. But if I had to, the current state of emulation is usually good enough for me.

[bangtango]

Emulation is one of those things that some people love, some people hate, and many are just ambivalent about. I prefer to play with original hardware, but I keep emulation around for those things I either can't get, or can't afford (mainly MAME), or for a quick fix that doesn't involve hauling out a controller and a cart. But if I had to, the current state of emulation is usually good enough for me.

For me, emulation depends on the game. Fast moving, side-scrolling stuff like Contra, Castlevania, Amagon, Sonic, etc. sometimes doesn't emulate that great on a computer. Yet some of my NES favorites like Dragon Warrior and Pirates actually look and sound pretty good when they are emulated because those games move at a slower pace. I think that slower pace you see in some games hides a lot of imperfections you might otherwise see.

[Gentlegamer]

For me, emulation depends on the game. Fast moving, side-scrolling stuff like Contra, Castlevania, Amagon, Sonic, etc. sometimes doesn't emulate that great on a computer.You need to try some modern emus with frame buffering. Sonic plays great with no screen tear, for example

[Cryomancer]

Yeah, some emulators can actaully reduce flickering / slowdown that actual hardware would have.

Plus, speed buttons are awesome.

[kainemaxwell]

For example thx to the help of fan-translations I'm able to play Actraiser and Assault Suits Valken (aka Cybernator) in their unaltered/uncut versions without fighting the japanese language.

What's the difference with Actraiser?

Anyhow, for me I enjoy playing game son my classic systems and when I don't feel like digging them out, there's emulation and collection paks.

[Buyatari]

There is a cure. Play Geometry Wars on the 360. The modern game that plays better as a classic that never was.

[telengard]

The irony is that through a proper emulated setup, the differences are indiscernable. There are graphics cards that output15khz signals (what your old consoles output). Hook this up to aforementioned VGA monitor, and be in emulation heaven. This is almost always more accurate than playing crappy collections churned out by old-school-gone-sour companies (Taito, Sega, etc.). Playing Neo Geo through MAME w/ an Arcade VGA is fantastic.

I play through emulation sometimes if I'm not in the mood to wait to xfer disk images etc. Emulators have come a long way. I have a set top box in my living room with custom software and I can select and play thousands of old games from my couch using emulators. This was a fantasy in 1981. :) The new gadget coming out for the xbox 360 wireless controller (small keyboard) is going to make the setup even better.

Having said all that, nothing beats plugging in my old computers, fiddling with them, waiting for stuff to load, using the old keyboard, squinting at a 13" green monitor, etc, etc. NO emulator can give you that!

~telengard

[mr.soul]

For me there is more than playing the game to get the true "classic" experience. Inseting the cartridge, fumbling with 70's, 80's, or 90' controllers and dealing with a consoles little quirks is every bit as important to me as playing the game. One guy once said to me after seeing my classic collection, "what's the point? I can emulate every game you have on my PC". I just shook my head because he didn't get it. Then again I'm an old geezer and I played with these "classic" games when I was a boy.

That's the same reason I like records. It's not just the sound or anything, it's the tactile motion of putting the needle on. Whereas CDs you just put in the slot and you're not responsible for anything else. I like to play games on their respective systems the exact way they were intended to be.