Retro Vs Modern Gaming

At this point in my life I prefer retro games. They're quick to get into and play really well in small bursts which is all I have time for lately.

Modern gaming. But pleased it don't actually have to choose,

I love me some retro games but they had their time. I'm happy with the games that I play these days and I'm also impressed as hell with the graphics, size, and scope of some games these days when you really think about how far they've come.

That's way more complicated than a simple one or the other question can answer, especially for an old fart like me. So I need a cake option.

Modern games have lost so much but at the same time they have added so much more.

It's almost like you don't have to choose since you can play retro and modern games whenever you want.

This feels like a poll for those who believe gaming was so much better "back in the day" (hilariously incorrect), and think themselves better gamers for that opinion.

Retro. In general, I like short 2 hour gameplay oriented sessions over 50 + hours experiences. That doesn't mean I don't like modern games though, because this year in particular, I've been mostly playing them.

Both? Both. :)

I played more games back in the old days than now so let's go with retro.

I do both Modern & Retro gaming myself. Ever since this gen started, I kinda been doing lots of retro gaming while waiting for that new game to be release for the most parts but yeah, I do lots of Retro gaming and also today's standard gaming all-together.

I still have my N64, Gamecube, PS2, and even my Dreamcast just for good old times sakes. (Go ahead and laugh but I still play Goldeneye N64 from time to time)

Yes you can indeed. Of course there are many factors to take into account and it can't just be black or white.

But if you were to choose, which one would you "favor" overall?

I've been gaming since the C64 era and I have fond memories of it, but I've always dreamed about games evolving, getting more realistic or aesthetically pleasing since I was a kid; therefore my choice falls on technological advancement, hence modern gaming and the excitement "for what's next" that comes with it.

No need to laugh, that's a hell of a great game.

I play both modern and retro. I am playing Yakuza on PS2 right now so my choice is retro. After that though I'll be moving to skyrim and the wonderful 101 so my choice will be modern. so both.

Both but if I were to choose one,it would be modern gaming

Tend to prefer retro, many modern games are more interested in production values. Or multiplayer riddled with microtransactions or unlocking a billion, billion things.

I'm mostly playing modern games, since the devs I like make enough to keep me occupied. But I do get the urge quite often to play retro stuff as well.

Another point, how old does a game need to be to be considered Retro? 70's? 80's? 90's? 00's?

I'm guessing it depends entirely on each persons age and perspective.

I agree. When you have a full time job, and a family playing long and complicated games is tough. I find myself really only playing for 2 hours at a time, so retro games like shmups are easier to get into.

Both. Lot's of great new games out there, and you get the best variety of experiences across all "generations"

While I enjoy going back and replaying some classic games from time to time I definitely prefer playing new games so modern gaming for me.

Games were better back then.

This is how I see it as an example:

• 2 console generations behind.
• PS3-modern
• PS2-old
• PS1-retro

If it's ten years or more it's Retro, that's how I see it anyways, which would mean that yes, Halo: CE is Retro.

Or when a Publisher ceases to release games for a certain console/handheld, it is considered old, and when a new console steps in to replace the previous console, it is considered Retro, example PS1, Dreamcast, N64, Gameboy Advance, etc.

My first gaming console was SNES back in 1993 and now, I'm 32.

Treehugger thread.

Retro makes you some master race.

Both, I loved the time when there were no consoles, playing games at the Arcade with my friends was probably one of the best times of my life, that's what makes me have a soft spot for retro games.

I think retro has to be 16 bit era or prior.

I would NEVER consider Mario 64, or Banjo or Goldeneye to be retro.

And to answer the question Retro is better. The SNES is the greatest console of all time because of its pure emphasis on gameplay.

Most companies in general were better during the retro era, Nintendo, Square, Enix, Capcom, Konami were all at their peak in the late 80's and 90's.

Retro by far.

Todays gaming is all about movie games, hand holding & graphics.

Dreamcast was the last great console released, everything after has been average at best imo.

I prefer retro gaming. Some of the reasons that I don't like modern gaming as much as retro gaming are:

--Too many modern games are too long and padded with tedious filler just to make the games longer. I'll take a two hour retro game that is easy to pick-up-and-play and fun the entire way through over a 40 hour modern game that has many parts that feel like a chore to play through since the developers padded it with tedious filler just to increase the length.

--Too many modern games place too much emphasis on story even though 99% of video game stories suck. If I want a story, I'll get a better one from reading a book or watching a movie. When I play a game, I don't like my gameplay being interrupted too much for a crappy video game story.

--Too many modern games don't value local multiplayer anymore. Nintendo seems to be the only one that still cares about local multiplayer nowadays and that is disappointing. I appreciate online gaming, but you just can't beat a great local multiplayer experience with your friends sitting around the TV together.

--There is too much emphasis nowadays on trying to make games as realistic as possible and not enough on just providing the over-the-top arcadey fun that is common with retro games.

--Too many modern games are too easy. I like how challenging retro games were. There are many retro games that were aimed at kids that are way more challenging than modern games that are aimed at adults.

--I miss video game manuals! Games don't feel complete without them. Physical media for modern games in general is just nowhere as great as the physical media for retro games.

Both, but I'd probably choose modern over retro. If I played the "you're on an island and can only take 5 games with you" I'd likely take Minecraft, Breath of the Wild, and the Dark Souls trilogy which are all modern :)

Good points. But I don't know about games being too easy. I'm getting gray hair trying to solve all the riddles on Arkham Knight.

I like both equally, or close enough.

@undefined:

Since the vic20 games have gotten better and better for me.

I like the memories I have from back then but Modern all day long.

What do you mean by hand holding? Too easy?

I'm more excited about StarCraft: Remastered than anything else released this console generation. That said, what's the definition of "retro" exactly? Plenty of modern games are being built like 2D games from the 1990's, but with modern technology behind them.

@foxhound_fox:"That said, what's the definition of "retro" exactly?"

NES-PS2 is retro.

360/PS3/PS4/Xone are modern.

"Retro" as in NES? Meh. I'd rather play today's games, to be honest. However, if "retro" includes N64, GCN, and PS2 then I become undecided. I really think that was the best time for games, but there are still wonderful games coming out today like Breath of the Wild.

There are modern interpretations of retro games which play like a retro game, but with modern graphics. So, I'll go with the modern era.

Flight sims now are so far ahead of flight sims then when it comes to options. I definitely prefer the modern ones.

The main reason I still play retro games is when there are no modern versions. Games such as Steel Panthers, Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far, etc.

Sucks to be you!

@davillain-: Probably he's into arcade games

@aia89: I also enjoy playing Arcade games on Dreamcast as well but Daily is missing out that came after Dreamcast and I been gaming since 1993.

I'm playing more modern games right now, but I still love my retro games. Every now and then, I'll jump on my XBox 360 and play games like Deluxe Asteroid, Robotron & Capcom Arcade Classics. I was playing Guardian Heroes & Darkstalkers Resurrection a couple nights ago.

My gaming prime was SNES to PS2, so I don't see how that's "retro". Retro to me is pre-NES.

Both.

Which is why, despiste the fact i have been gaming for 3 decades, i think we are living in the best gaming era now. We have both: huge, impressive looking AAA games, and indies bringing back classic genres (2d platformers, point and click adventures, top down shoot em ups, etc).

Right, outright ignoring modern gaming is quite.. curious

@foxhound_fox:"My gaming prime was SNES to PS2, so I don't see how that's "retro". Retro to me is pre-NES."

The PS2 ended over 10 years ago.

Certainly SNES games are way better than PS3/PS4, but the games aren't modern.

I'd say the "modern" period started with the advent of 3D with the N64 and the PS. That was the biggest jump in technology gaming has seen so far in it's history.

@foxhound_fox: "I'd say the "modern" period started with the advent of 3D with the N64 and the PS. That was the biggest jump in technology gaming has seen so far in it's history."

Yeah but I wouldn't put PS1 games in the same breath as PS3/PS4 games despite all being 3D.

I prefer modern games for the most part, but I have a handful of classic games i like from the early to late 90s that are rare high quality games that even modern games aren't even close to. I don't like new games that try to relive the old retro look though, i've tried a few of them and never liked them.

The poll shows a perfect equilibrium, nice!