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Written by Retr0gamer
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Thursday, 22 May 2008 17:06 |
 Since my handle is Retr0gamer, I feel the need to live up to my namesake. So I'll be discussing retrogaming forever, starting now. After games lose their shiny newness in the current-generation of video gaming, they fall into the retro category. Retrogaming is great for any time and any day. It will even save you money on gas. Here's 6 reasons to unleash the retrogamer in you!
#6 Nostalgia
Who doesn't like living in the past every now and then? Tons of games deserve a good retreading. Like old songs or movies or your grandma's cooking, games can take you to back in time. For me, playing Super Mario Bros. 3 brings me back to my childhood when I played the game standing and jumping around in whitie-tighties (wearing whitie-tighties alone doesn't quite do it...). Nostalgia can be therapeutic!
#5 It's Cheaper
Retrogaming is typically cheaper than playing current-gen stuff. There are plenty of second hand outlets (eBay, thrift stores, bargain bins, your buddies) where you can find games from past generations - I've even found factory-new games marked down 90%. Waiting for game generations to cycle out is a great way to play games and systems you may not have owned before for a significant discount. If you were a Genesis owner for instance, you missed out on some great SNES-exclusive RPGs. Pick up Secret of Mana or Chrono Trigger on a rainy day.
 #4 Collectibility
As with any hobby, video games has its collectors. Some people like having a library of games they've played and have spent a lot of time with (glancing with my peripheral vision, my shelf has a Zelda: The Minish Cap box, a Street Fighter 2: Turbo cart, a Command and Conquer: Nod CD, and a Metroid cart). Although retro gaming is generally cheaper than playing current-gen, a handful of games actually appreciate in value, adding to their collectibility (like BUbble Bobble 2). Keeping old games around makes sure you have access to something fun at all times. And if digital distribution ever takes the place of physical cartridges and discs, your collection will be even more collectible...like vinyl records or aged wine!
#3 The Truth is Out There
The rise of the Information Age has given us power in knowledge. Ever get stuck in a game, put it down, and never come back to finish it? I got stuck in Zelda: Link's Awakening for the Game Boy in 1993 and didn't beat it till I found a walkthrough on the internet a decade later. As a retrogamer you have access to FAQs, walkthroughs and other people who have played your game already. Having information on a game prior to playing it also means you'll never have to waste time playing a reputedly crappy game if you don't want to.
#2 Gameplay
Believe it or not, games used to HAVE to have solid gameplay to be successful (before they could sell on pretty graphics or passable pixelated boobs). Fact: Games that have withstood time have good gameplay. Pick up a copy of Tetris or Super Mario Bros. if you don't understand. Gameplay is the reason many games get re-made with better graphics and engine mechanics - preserving the core gameplay guarantees a good game.
#1 Access to the best games ever made a.k.a. Never Play Crap!!!
Obviously you can play any game ever made (finding them may be the tricky part). A huge pet peeve of mine is wasting money on a new game only to play it and realize it sucks. Fortunately if you go retro you won't have to deal with this. Why play (insert current-gen-crap-RPG-game) when you can play a legendary RPG like Final Fantasy VII? Why play (insert current-gen-crap-action/adventure-game) when you can play an all-time game like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? Since retro-gamers are immune to playing crappy games, you can maximize your gaming experiences by only playing the good ones! Every gamer has missed out on awesome titles from the past, so pick something and play! |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 May 2008 17:24 )
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