Why Retro-Style Games Still Matter Today

[cocguidehub]

Retro-style games have always fascinated me because they prioritize core gameplay over graphics. It’s fun to see how many modern games still use mechanics inspired by older titles.

I’m looking forward to reading discussions here and learning from other gamers who enjoy both classic and modern games.

 

[Zerohour2k12]

Maybe cuz' tried and tested mechanics and gameplay that stood the test of time are still better than modern games at times and oldschool graphics are still appealing. For me, nostalgia is just a bonus.

 

[Not_Red]

Sometimes newer games try too hard and add too many stuff that end up scaring potential players, like QoL stuff is always welcomed but if a game has 10 different systems to keep track of and you actually have to tinker with then I'm probably just playing a menu game when I could just be killing slimes in Dragon Quest just by choosing the attack option.

 

[Jeff]

Retro games have color, imagination, basic and simple gameplay, full of surprises, no DLC, and a challenge than modern games with no color at all with the same boring looking realistic character.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin TruxtonTatsujin]

First off, Welcome! Enjoy your stay.

they prioritize core gameplay over graphics.

I've heard this said many times, but I've never entirely agreed because it downplays just how appealing these games still look, plus there very much where games that existed solely to push the tech for visual spectacle. imo the average retro classic had just as much thought and effort put into the graphics as the gameplay.

 

[Dr.Kisaragi Dr.Kisaragi]

Well I was still planning old games and the Master System is still in my conquer list I'll say they still beautiful hidden gems hiding on the Sand sometimes they are good games need to be discovered this why I love retro games.

 

[MDGeistsfavMC5song]

Why Retro-Style Games Still Matter Today​

*ahem* ... mmmm.. *clearing throat* ... ok... CUZ I SAY SO.. ok.. thank you

 

[Izzy]

It's the only kind of game that'll outright kick your ass no matter how old you are. The new era of gamers have no clue that when you step into something that's been around older than you, has more experience than you and still know how to grin at you even at the base level of difficulty. That's when you punk-ass snot faced ragamuffins get humbled down to Level 1 REAL quick.

Thank you.

 

[Bonkers225]

It's the most simple, safe approach to make a game fun, and addictive, especially in short bursts.

 

[JPchicre]

Sometimes, old games prioritized graphics, i think it tended to be more forgivable because games tended to be less complex, and core mechanics could be more easily polished.
One case of a older game that I personally dislike the mechanics but like the graphics is the arcade Sega game Altered Beast.
But impressive graphics have always helped sell games, even less fun titles. "The first bite is with the eyes" goes the saying.
Retro games will always matter, they do things modern titles are less wiling to do(simpler straight forward game-play, more experimental mindset), even if they did not, any unique game has a place in someone's heart and deserves to exist. Even Bubsy has fans.

 

[Ezri_Muldoon]

... What?

Considering the majority of Retro styles games have incredible simplistic gameplay mechanics, there's no way that retro games as a whole "prioritise core gameplay over graphics"

Go to steam, set the price filter as low it can go and just wade through the nearly endless sea of "Retro" content.
The majority of those games don't even capture the pixel art aesthetics they claim to be replicating.
"It's 8-bit" but using impossible colours and sprites that even back in the 80's would have been criticized.

8-Bit gaming can look gorgeous, with fluid animations and cinematic presentation.
Just look at Prince of Persia on the BBC Micro, and it still has better gameplay than most indie games running on astronomically more powerful hardware

As of course we have the Master systems offerings, A console from 1985 offering better gameplay & sprite work than 80% of modern "retro games"

Good retro games are hard to come by, most could be considered lazy and hide behind simplistic graphics as a shield from criticism rather than embrace the self imposed limitations as a challenge to be overcome.

 

[blahbleh]

Actually, retro games did prioritize graphics. They might look poor by today's standards, but that doesn't mean developers didn't focus on visuals at the time. the snes is a great example for that