Why are vintage video games hugely popular? Many rush to say it’s nostalgia, but that’s a superficial take on something much richer. Among many reasons, solid game design transcends technology - good games don’t need modern tech to be lots of fun. Learn about what keeps everyone going back.
Before we get started, I want to say that my intent is not to say you should play retro games instead of contemporary console games. I will contrast different types of experiences - those associated with vintage gaming, and those associated with a one of the most popular genres of modern console gaming. This isn’t about an ultimate new vs old, but a question about what kinds of experiences we want to have. I hope to broaden our understanding of just why the old school stuff has come back so powerfully, and what it might tell us.
Also worth noting: as a part of this discussion, I do call out some unfortunate trends in contemporary game design that are concerning, and worth thinking about seriously.
I’m going to lay out some foundational ideas, then unpack a set of 5 attractive retro gaming features, and then finally broaden out into an overarching theory that speaks to the bigger issues.
retrogamesstart.com
https://retrogamestart.com/answers/why-retro-video-gaming-so-popular-its-much-more-than-nostalgia