Old games vs new games

[SoulBlazer]

I realize I'm probaly going to get flamed for this thread -- well, at the least, maybe it will get some discussion going. Just go easy on me, I'm new to the video game forum. :-D

Am I the only one who just does'nt enjoy playing these so-called 'classic' games anymore?

I had a Atari 2600 and a couple of computers growing up in the 80's, and also went to the arcades a lot. (For a frame of refernece, I'm going to tell you I was born in 76 -- really too young for the golden age of arcades). I can remember all the hours I spent on them, playing 'simple' games such as Krull and Bards Tale and Ultima and the simple sports games they had. And games like Miner 2049, Pac-Man, Zaxxon, and countless others. I adored them, loved them, spent a lot of time on them -- about as much as my folks would allow.

That stayed the same when I got my NES, but I still played a lot of those old games. I've remained a heavy game player, playing all through the SNES and PSX days, having a N64 as well, and still play my PS2 and GC a lot, as well as my GBA SP. It's amazing what has happened to games over the last 20 years. They just keep getting better and better. Every time I see something that blows me away, something else comes along a few years later that does one better.

For example, remember the amazing graphics and music that Contra for the NES had? What about Mega Man and Castlevania? Then came the SNES games like Actraiser and Super Castlevania IV. Then game the PSX games like FF7 and 8, and the Maddens. Now we have the PS2 and the GC with all it's glory. And Morrowind for the PC. I could go on and on.

When I got into emulation a few years ago, and started playing games from my youth, I was surprised to discover they just don't have the same fun value they once did. What I once was happy to spend hours on I now look at and go 'what crap! How did I ever play this?' and promtly shut off. Or try to play for a few minutes only to find it's borring.

It's sad, in a way, really. Perhaps I'm spoiled by modern gaming. I love modern games and what they can do -- the graphics, the music, the cut scenes, the story telling. They seem on par with the books I love to read and the movies I love to watch. Over the last year I've played some truly amazing games that will stay with me -- Morrowind, Xenosaga, Madden 2003, Grand Theft Auto, Zelda: Wind Waker, Metroid Prime -- the list could go on and on.

And there are some 'old' games I still love to death -- some arcade games I fondly recall playing still apeal to me, like Star Wars, Time Pilot, Gyruss -- all games I have modern ports of on either then PSX or GBA. And I recently got Activision's Anthology and found some of the games there were okay for a quick play when I was in the mood. By and by, though, the huge majority of arcade, console, and computer games from the 70's and 80's I now just can't find any fun value even. Even some NES games are having that effect now.

Is it wrong to admit that you love modern games more then older ones? Can't there be a happy balance between them? I don't see everything as doom and gloom as some here seem to make it out to be. I respect and admire what came before, and hope they are around for a long time to come -- at least to show how far we've come. But I can't really quite explain my own dis intrest in the stuff I used to love. It would be one thing if it was just a game or a genre, but it's not -- more like about 10 years.

Enough rambling for one day, I'm sure I confused everyone by this point anyway. :-D

[Kim Possible]

Dude, I think you are TOTALLY entitled to your opinion, and the good news is there is PLENTY of things about both old and new games to like. But for me, I personally play MUCH MUCH more Atari2600 and NES than all other systems combined. The games for me are just more fun.

I enjoy my Gamecube and PS2, but they don't see as much action as the VCS and NES.

I guess I'm just old skool. ;) :)

[bargora]

All old games were once new. Some age better than others. I'm with you in that I'd often prefer to play a near-perfect emulation of a classic arcade game on my Playstation over a port for the 2600. Sometimes when I put a cartridge in the 2600 I get bored fast, too. But just last night I put on Mountain King (5200) and had a blast.

I think that most of the people here do play a balance of newer and older stuff. I tend to like newer stuff that comes out in the style of older stuff but prettier (Ikaruga, Gunvalkyrie, Rez). I also like all kinds of mech sims, which are a newish genre. There was no Mechwarrior for Atari 2600.

It's all taste, man. I'm a little burnt out on FPS, and I never really acquired a taste for stealth or tactical shooters or RTS or Sim-anything.

So, it's OK to not love all the "classics", and you have my permission to love modern games.

[YoshiM]

Nothin' wrong with being a modern gamer. Everyone enjoys what they enjoy. It's just fun to debate about it.

For me one of the big differences between games then and now is difficulty. Or in many modern cases, the lack thereof. I like to be able to get knocked off my high horse by a game. I like a challenge. It feels good to make it through the game to the end after the hard journey. Since the target audience was pretty much the arcade goer (and I so fit that audience then) the games were usually more difficult (arcade gamers are a hardened lot. Have to have some good skills to stretch that quarter). So the 8 bit (read NES) and 16 bit eras were my favorite times.

As I got into more modern gaming with PCs and eventually an N64, I was amazed. Great graphics, complete 3D realized worlds, and awesome sound was what I was treated with. It was good until the industry's engine really started going. The experience was wonderful as I plodded my way through Mario 64, Banjo Kazooie, Rogue Squadron, Silent Hill, etc. However as time went on I started to notice a trend. The new games played almost exactly like past games. No improvements, no real changes, no nothing. It was the ultimate feeling of "been there, done that". The only real challenge was finding and spending the time to play it.

Now I can hear people say "but games in the past were like that-no new changes, no improvements, etc.". True and every era is guilty of that. However, just because you are good at Super Mario Bros. doesn't mean you are going to be good at every platformer out there. Pick up Kid Icarus and it's totally different. Play TMNT and it's still different. Even though these games are all sickeningly similar, the one thing that these finely crafted games have over everyone else is their own challenge. Its that challenge that kept people interested.

I don't get that anymore with many of the games today. I can play Ratchet and Clank, Rygar, Maximo or even Super Mario Sunshine and truely be able to say that these games (on a rudimentary level) are the same game. What's different is the "gimmick" these games have, the points of the game that the game companies were selling to us. Take the gimmick away and what do you have? For me, I've played these games before and my interest is lost. Now that doesn't mean I don't play modern games. I've got an Xbox and I play that machine regularly. I get my dose of Animal Crossing.

And that is my 2 zenny on this.

[NE146]

All old games were once new. Some age better than others. I think that most of the people here do play a balance of newer and older stuff.

Yep and absolutely :) To me they're all just videogames I'll never stop acquiring the "new".. but I'll always still play some "old".

Don't get me wrong.. I won't make mysefl play a videogame just because it's old.. it has to stand the test of time.. and like you said, obviously a lot just don't age too well. But, you have your classics (i.e. Robotron) that just seem to get better and better with age. And you have your Kid Nikki's or what have you.. that look and will remain dated and just aren't as fun.

But Robotron always has a place amongst the moderns.. for sure :)