When most of us talk about retro games, we’re referring to those made in the 1980s and 1990s. These games have become classics for a reason; while their gameplay may be simple according to today’s standards, they were creative and offered players a challenge. Even if you didn’t play games like Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., or Sonic the Hedgehog when they first came out, chances are you’re familiar with these iconic video game characters.
There’s something about these characters that has given them a timeless appeal. We see it in the movies that have been made about them, the rides at theme parks based on these games, and the fact that they’re still popular decades after their first release. Thanks to today’s advanced technology, gamers have been able to revisit updated versions of many of these titles on modern consoles. In this article, we take a look at what makes retro games special and how they’re able to stand the test of time.
Emotional Appeal and Connection
Whether you’re embarking on a journey through Hyrule with Link in the original version of The Legend of Zelda or playing a table game in an online casino, games that have been around for decades have a special appeal for many of us. While casino games don’t usually fall into the video game category, as they’ve moved online and taken on a digital form, they’re increasingly adopting similar features. Virtual platforms offer a range of titles, many of which remind players of the classics found in brick-and-mortar casinos. One example is the graphical interface of a game like roulette, where, in its digital form, players come together in front of a virtual roulette wheel.
As the game begins, players watch the high-resolution spin on their screen, accompanied by realistic sound effects as players place virtual chips on red, black, odd, or even, just as they would in a physical casino. Roulette has been around since the 18th century, yet still attracts new players, partly because of the pull of nostalgia.
Whether we’re talking about roulette or Street Fighter, nostalgia plays a big role in why these titles stick around for so long. Players develop a unique connection to these games that is hard for some modern games to replicate. For many players, returning to the simpler mechanics of retro games is a welcome break from the complexities of contemporary life.
Accessibility and Simplicity
While retro games can be hard to beat, they’re much easier to pick up and play than many of today’s most popular video games. Their straightforward mechanics mean that just about anyone can find their way around them and master their core gameplay in minutes. Compare that to many modern video games where players need to watch YouTube tutorials just to get started.
Games like Pac-Man and Tetris are easy to play yet challenging enough to keep players engaged for long periods. They can be enjoyed immediately and played in short bursts, which often makes them a great choice for breaks at work or in between studying.
New gamers don’t have to worry about overcoming a steep learning curve to play these titles, and experienced gamers find them consistently rewarding as they strive to break their previous high scores and master advanced strategies. On top of all that, modern online games have connectivity issues that can ruin a game night.
Influence on Modern Game Design
With photorealism and AI-powered NPCs, it’s hard to believe that old-school games have had any impact on today’s video games. However, if you take a closer look at some of the most popular titles around, you can see how modern game developers draw inspiration from games of the past. If you’ve ever played a game like Stardew Valley or Celeste, you may have noticed how the pixel art and simple controls resemble games made back when the NES and Sega Genesis were state-of-the-art gaming consoles.
It’s become commonplace for modern titles to adopt retro-inspired mechanics like the challenging platforming of Super Mario or the precise combat of Castlevania. These games have successfully bridged the gap between the new and the old, often improving on both. The way game developers have blended the past and present in today’s video games is just one more example of how retro games have influenced the gaming industry.
