wgroeneveld
/
brainbaking
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

retro gaming misconceptions: slight adjustments

This commit is contained in:
Wouter Groeneveld 2021-06-20 17:48:16 +02:00
parent 5b6efa6954
commit 994dbc7627
1 changed files with 6 additions and 6 deletions
Show Stats Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files

12
content/post/2021/06/misconceptions-about-retro-gamers.md
View File

@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ categories:
- retro
---
We retro gamers have been spoiled in recent years. Developers love to spit out remastered editions of classics, and we love to buy and replay them. This is not limited to games, but also the classic consoles themselves: think [(S)NES Classic/Mini](https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/) and [MegaDrive/Genesis Mini](https://megadrivemini.sega.com/). Then there is the recent resurgence of shiny [retro handheld devices](https://retrododo.com/best-retro-handhelds/). Most of them use emulation software, but there are exceptions such as the [Analogue Pocket](https://www.analogue.co/pocket).
We retro gamers have been spoiled in recent years. Developers love to spit out remastered editions of classics, and we love to buy and replay them. Remastering is not limited to games, but also extends to the classic consoles themselves: think [(S)NES Classic/Mini](https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/) and [MegaDrive/Genesis Mini](https://megadrivemini.sega.com/). Then there is the recent resurgence of shiny [retro handheld devices](https://retrododo.com/best-retro-handhelds/). Most of them use emulation software, but there are exceptions such as the [Analogue Pocket](https://www.analogue.co/pocket).
I sure do love buying old Game Boy games---I've written about it [quite](/post/2021/02/the-insanity-of-retro-game-collecting/) [a few times](/post/2021/05/re-is-collecting-physical-games-worth-it/) here--- and reading the [Retro Gamer magazine](https://www.retrogamer.net/). But there is one thing that I have to get off my chest. Retro gamers are stigmatized. Non-retro folks think we're weird. And that's okay: everyone is. Still, there are a few persistent misconceptions about the image of a retro gamer that I would like to clear up here. Let us go over each of these and see whether or not I'm capable of rectifying most misconceptions.
I sure do love buying old Game Boy games---I've written about it [quite](/post/2021/02/the-insanity-of-retro-game-collecting/) [a few times](/post/2021/05/re-is-collecting-physical-games-worth-it/) here---and reading the [Retro Gamer magazine](https://www.retrogamer.net/). But there is one thing that I have to get off my chest. Retro gamers are stigmatized. Non-retro folks think we're weird. And that's okay: everyone is. Still, there are a few persistent misconceptions about the image of a retro gamer that I would like to clear up here. Let us go over each of these and see whether or not I'm capable of rectifying most misconceptions.
### Retro gamers are old.
@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ Of course, many retro gamers are people who loved these games when they were fir
Partially true, perhaps, depending on the definition of _old_. Many recent game releases are partially or fully inspired by classic games: think [The Messenger](https://jefklakscodex.com/articles/reviews/the-messenger/), which is inspired by both NES and MegaDrive-era games, [Sonic Mania](https://jefklakscodex.com/articles/reviews/sonic-mania/), which is, well, Sonic 2.5, or [Hollow Knight](https://jefklakscodex.com/articles/reviews/hollow-knight/) that successfully blends elements from Mega Man and Super Metroid.
Again, 2021 is a _great_ time to be a retro gamer. But we do also love new games! For me, though, I appreciate these more if they are inspired by older ones. And there are so many of those that it seems impossible to keep track of them: from RPGs (Dragon Quest XI), simulations (Two Point Hospital), shooters (Project Warlock) to adventure games (Thimbleweed Park). In a way, you could say these are _new old games_.
Again, 2021 is a _great_ time to be a retro gamer. But we do also love new games! For me, though, I appreciate these more if they are inspired by older ones. And there are so many of those that it seems impossible to keep track of them: from RPGs (Dragon Quest XI), simulations (Two Point Hospital), and shooters (Project Warlock) to adventure games (Thimbleweed Park). In a way, you could say these are _new old games_.
### Retro gamers are cartridge blowers.
@ -30,15 +30,15 @@ Guilty!
What? No. I already have glasses, there is no point in making things worse. There's the [MiSTer](https://www.retrorgb.com/mister.html), an FPGA-powered hardware upscaler. There exist [GameCube HDMI adapters](https://8bitmods.com/gchd-mk-ii-indigo/). There are even [GBA HDMI kits](https://www.retrorgb.com/gba-consolizer-an-hdmi-720p-gba-kit.html) that allow you to play Circle of the Moon on your TV. Not that I'd want to make a handheld device a non-handheld one.
Of course, there's nothing like playing original consoles on original hardware. For a while.
Of course, there's nothing like playing original consoles on original hardware. For a while. Squinting makes my head hurt. Even for older non-backlit handheld devices, [retro modding](https://www.retromodding.com/collections/game-boy-advance) exists to alleviate the biggest flaw. Let there be light! (Or a GBA SP AGS 101 on eBay for `$200`+)
### Retro gamers are hoarders.
Don't confuse collectors with retro gamers. The concepts do not always overlap. Many retro gamers are collectors, or vice versa, but not always. Although [I do like physical versions](/post/2021/05/re-is-collecting-physical-games-worth-it/) of games, but that's again the nostalgic part at play, not necessarily the retro part.
I buy games to... well... _play_ them. The shock!
I buy games to... well... _play_ them. The shock!
Many retro gamers are content with their SNES Mini, where a predefined collection of games comes embedded with the device (yes, it's hackable). Or with their Chinese handheld, where all you need to do is drag a bunch of ROMs onto an SD card. Although technically speaking, that might be seen as digital hoarding. So handling physical cartridges isn't for every retro gamer.
Many retro gamers are content with their SNES Mini, where a predefined collection of games comes embedded with the device (yes, it's hackable). Or with their Chinese [RGB351M](https://retrododo.com/rg351m/) handheld, where all you need to do is drag a bunch of ROMs onto an SD card. Although technically speaking, that might be seen as digital hoarding. So handling physical cartridges isn't for every retro gamer.
### Retro gamers know all Mario levels by heart.