gaming Where's the love for 8-bit?

[Zerrodo 104]

 

This is a bit difficult for me to explain, so please bare with me. I'll try to make it as clear and easy to understand as possible.

 

So, I've always been a fan of Nintendo and other video game companies with aged beginnings, and often find myself going back and playing games that are considered ancient by today's standards and enjoying them greatly. When I fire up my NES and play any of the games in my fairly limited library for it, I feel a strong connection with the past. I feel like a kid from the 80's, playing a game they rented for the weekend to pass the time. And for the better part of my thoughts, this makes me quite happy. However, it also upsets me a bit.

 

The majority of my peers can't seem to appreciate old games. They see Mario, Zelda, Metroid, MOTHER, etc and they brush it off as something that's “gay” or for “pu**y a** five year olds”. They sit at home all day playing their mostly crappy library of Xbox games screaming death threats into headsets, and will never know what amazing things they are missing out on, how much more fun they could be having if they could just open their eyes a bit. The people of today are growing more and more attached to present day technology and move farther and farther away from the beginnings of the video game industry, the great stories disguised in 8 to 16 or even 64 bits that captured the hearts of millions. This doesn't only apply to video games, as I'm sure you know.

 

What do you fellas think? What's your view on the matter?

 

[Level3rd 128]

Remember that feeling you got when you turned on your playstation, and it would lag at the PS logo?
Man, I remember that feeling like it was yesterday.

Or realising that you can open your disc cover while playing, and you can still play the game?  

 

The PS1 was my first console, thats as far back as I remember.

Frogger, Spyro and Crash Bandicoot, man.

[Ferret Girl 2,642]

You sir, have my respect. I adore all the old Nintendo systems and games. NES , SNES , N64 , GameCube. And also the old Atari 2600 and Play Stations. Honestly, they are pretty much the only things I play, aside from a select few modern games.

 

Bit style graphics are still my favorite, even in today's gaming world, and I am glad to see another lover of the classic Nintendo system.

 

/)

[Thrashy 2,800]

...Dude, sounds like your "peers" need multiple brohooves to the face.

 

I'm just going to go on record and say that I'm generally not a fan of current gen games, save for a very small handful. I'm of the very strong mindset that graphics do not make or break a game. Unfortunately, many game developers don't seem to see it this way, often putting more focus on rendering impressive cinematic sequences than actually giving players engaging gameplay. In this regard, the Xenosaga games were probably the worst I've ever played...if I wanted to sit through half hour cut scenes, I'd go to the movies.

 

I will say this, though: It takes a great sense of imagination to look at old-timey video game sprites and see what they were intended to represent. The fact that kids these days look at such sprites and go "Durr what is this faggotry I'm looking at?" indicates to me that modern gamers' imaginations have been horribly watered down by the industry's gross focus on graphics.

 

Still, I think there's a silver lining to be found. In the same way that more and more youth are starting to discover the glory of older music, many of them also seem to be showing an interest in older games. "Retro" seems to be "in" these days, and to capitalize on this, a few prominent game companies have actually been producing retro-style games (Capcom's Mega Man 9 & 10, Squenix's FFIV: The Afteryears, etc.). I hope that this trend continues, honestly. I'd rather another generation be touched by intelligent games like Chrono Trigger than turned into the foul-mouthed, screaming C.O.D. brats that seem to make up a depressingly large portion of today's gaming demographic.

Edited May 26, 2013 by Lowline

[silverreverb 129]

I guess a lot of it has to do with the "new is better" mentality.

one could also make the argument that the advancements in technology allowed some developers to rely content presentation rather than content. the same advancements that allowed for more freedom in development could be said to be the same reason games and gamers are they way they are now, focused on photorealism and more polys.

older systems had their limitations and developers had to work around these to make the most of what they had.

another problem is that people only look at the most flashy products, determining that its the best.

people also have some odd aversion to history so going back and exploring the roots of gaming would be more of a chore than an experience.

 

people have forgotten that its not about the points, achievements, rank or amount of visual detail.

its the experience of being immersed in a story, not experience points needed to reach the next level/gun

its about the story told through gameplay, not prerendered cutscenes.

[Zerrodo 104]

Remember that feeling you got when you turned on your playstation, and it would lag at the PS logo?

Man, I remember that feeling like it was yesterday.

 

Or realising that you can open your disc cover while playing, and you can still play the game?  

 

The PS1 was my first console, thats as far back as I remember.

 

Frogger, Spyro and Crash Bandicoot, man.

 

OY, don't forget Symphony of the Night! That game was amazing. If you haven't played it, I suggest you give it a go the first chance you get.

 

You sir, have my respect. I adore all the old Nintendo systems and games. NES , SNES , N64 , GameCube. And also the old Atari 2600 and Play Stations. Honestly, they are pretty much the only things I play, aside from a select few modern games.

 

Bit style graphics are still my favorite, even in today's gaming world, and I am glad to see another lover of the classic Nintendo system.

 

/)

 

Your post is practically me in a nut shell, and it's great to see someone with strikingly mutual tastes. I rarely get to play Atari 2600 games, though. I should buy one eventually, but both of my NES' have fried and I'm looking to obtain a top-loader ASAP considering they are known to be more durable than the original model NES.

 

 

...Dude, sounds like your "peers" need multiple brohooves to the face.

 

I'm just going to go on record and say that I'm generally not a fan of current gen games, save for a very small handful. I'm of the very strong mindset that graphics do not make or break a game. Unfortunately, many game developers don't seem to see it this way, often putting more focus on rendering impressive cinematic sequences than actually giving players engaging gameplay. In this regard, the Xenosaga games were probably the worst I've ever played...if I wanted to sit through half hour cut scenes, I'd go to the movies.

 

I will say this, though: It takes a great sense of imagination to look at old-timey video game sprites and see what they were intended to represent. The fact that kids these days look at such sprites and go "Durr what is this faggotry I'm looking at?" indicates to me that modern gamers' imaginations have been horribly watered down by the industry's gross focus on graphics.

 

Still, I think there's a silver lining to be found. In the same way that more and more youth are starting to discover the glory of older music, many of them also seem to be showing an interest in older games. "Retro" seems to be "in" these days, and to capitalize on this, a few prominent game companies have actually been producing retro-style games (Capcom's Mega Man 9 & 10, Squenix's FFIV: The Afteryears, etc.). I hope that this trend continues, honestly. I'd rather another generation be touched by intelligent games like Chrono Trigger than turned into the foul-mouthed, screaming C.O.D. brats that seem to make up a depressingly large portion of today's gaming demographic.

 

 

I completely agree, graphics don't matter. When playing a game from a certain era, I don't compare it to newer games, but rather, to other games from the same time period. However, even if the graphics suck, a fun game is a fun game, no matter how streamlined or crappy it may look. The Touhou games, for example. The art in some of those is completely horrid, with character portraits sometimes resembling mutant unproportional aliens. Doesn't make the gameplay any less fun.

 

And I do very much appreciate the creation of such games that you listed (MM 9/10, FFIV:TA), but I wish more companies would follow suit and do the same. Another 8-bit Zelda, Castlevania, Mario, etc would blow me away, but not many developers have done so. I have noticed a lot of indie developers creating retro styled games, but those don't always stay true and don't provide the same great experience that my NES or SNES does.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Tendium

[Raiden21 804]

I was born in the late 90's and I consider myself as a 2000's kid. My first interaction with videogames was watching my uncle play his NES and SNES. I soon got a gamecube with the Legend of Zelda: Collectors Edition when I was 5. I loved that thing. It came with the first 2 loz games, OoT, and Majora's Mask. To this day I still have my gamecube with that collection and several other games. I still play it sometimes to remember old memories like young Link turning into adult Link.

[Zerrodo 104]

I was born in the late 90's and I consider myself as a 2000's kid. My first interaction with videogames was watching my uncle play his NES and SNES. I soon got a gamecube with the Legend of Zelda: Collectors Edition when I was 5. I loved that thing. It came with the first 2 loz games, OoT, and Majora's Mask. To this day I still have my gamecube with that collection and several other games. I still play it sometimes to remember old memories like young Link turning into adult Link.

 

What were your thoughts on Zelda II? I'm curious, as I find it one of my favorite Zelda titles, but most other people disagree. They only take the difficulty into account when deducing whether or not it's enjoyable. I, for one, enjoy the challenge, and it's REALLY rewarding when you find yourself improving. Beating that game after hours of treking through the final palace to me was what I imagine getting high is like.

[Raiden21 804]

What were your thoughts on Zelda II? I'm curious, as I find it one of my favorite Zelda titles, but most other people disagree. They only take the difficulty into account when deducing whether or not it's enjoyable. I, for one, enjoy the challenge, and it's REALLY rewarding when you find yourself improving. Beating that game after hours of treking through the final palace to me was what I imagine getting high is like.

It was good but it just felt too different for some reason. I mostly enjoyed Ocarina of Time out of all of them and Majora's Mask to a close second.

[hawkflame 3,310]

I'm totally with you, but then again I'm part of the generation that grew up with 8 bit and 16 bit consoles. 

 

I really am a sucker for those games.  I still remember playing Ninja Gaiden for the first time and being blown away by the cutscenes. 

Now having high quality, cinematic cutscenes is more or less expected, but back then it was a really new and striking thing to see.  A video game that's more like a movie?  with atmosphere, and plot twists, and dialog, and a somewhat intricate story beyond just "saving the princess/kingdom/whatever?"  It just blew my mind. 

 

The graphics may not have been as impressive compared to today, but there was an anticipation and excitement I found in a lot of those games that I haven't found in games on newer systems.  I could still feel the adrenaline pumping from when I first saw Kraid, a boss who took up two full screens, come up in Super metroid. 

 

I duno, maybe it's just me, but I feel like it was the 8, 16, and 32 (or 64) bit consoles that had the most innovation, and everything else just built off of that.

[Mutemutt 773]

“pu**y a** five year olds”!? DId they never hear about Nintendo difficulty? 

 

Anyway, I didn't really start seriously playing games myself until we got a Nintendo 64, before that I mostly just watched my brother play. I guess my love for the older generations isn't quite as strong as others for that reason. Only the best of the best from the older gens do I ever think about. Objectively, I find current gen games are better. 

 

Also, games aren't just about the gameplay, they're about the entire experience. So story, characters, dialog, voice acting, cutscenes, music and, yes, graphics. It's all part of the package. 

 

But I must profess that I love sprites. 3d graphics are nice and all, but sprites hold a special place in my heart. I'm a little sad to see pokemon x and y moving on to 3d graphics. But I'm glad that there are still games being made that use sprites nowadays and they're some really nice looking sprites too. Seriously, Blazblue and Disgaea 4 have some really nice looking sprites check them out: 

spoiler'd for size

 

a comparison of the "classic" and Hi-res sprites in Disgaea 4

 

 

seeing them in action is even better~~

Edited May 26, 2013 by MuteMutt

[Trixie the Greatest 131]

I have NES games only as ROMS nowadays, but I do own a Double Dragon NES game when I found it on a thrift store still.  Recently someone made a Megaman X Street Fighter fanmade game in 8-bit.

 

If you are bad enough dude in it, you can even fight Akuma:

 

[mycarhasaMoustache 449]

Im huge fan of old school 8bit and 16bit games Iv still got my sega Master system and Sega Mega drive. The reason people prefer newer games its because over all they are better, I still play on the Sega every now and then but for the most part its not as fun as a modern game because old games are alot more difficult No regenerating health, When you run out of lives you have to start the entire game from the beginning and most of the older games have no save function. I love old games but modern games are just better (mostly) 

[mR.dErP893 39]

I'm a huge Super Nintendo fan. Super Nintendo is my favorite system of all time. Someday I wanna start a snes collection and get every game that came out for the system. One game I know that will be hard to obtain is Chrono Trigger its at my local Video Game store for like $80 I want it!

[IronPonyApplejack 318]

I think Lowline hit part of it earlier. A lot of so-called "gamers" these days are concerned with how a game appears. Both in terms of graphics, and how "mature" it looks. While there are some new, mainstream games that I really enjoy, there are a lot more that I don't. Where's the creativity? Where's the imagination? Give me memorable gameplay, characters, and story over graphics and blood any day.

[Mars Caramel 319]

Being born in the mid/late 90's, and not getting into gaming until I was about 6, I heavily regret not growing up with all these great games from the 80's and 90's. Thankfully, I started to appreciate these old gems as I grew up. I bet could even create an 8/16-bit indie game if I had the patience.

 

What were your thoughts on Zelda II? I'm curious, as I find it one of my favorite Zelda titles, but most other people disagree. They only take the difficulty into account when deducing whether or not it's enjoyable. I, for one, enjoy the challenge, and it's REALLY rewarding when you find yourself improving. Beating that game after hours of treking through the final palace to me was what I imagine getting high is like.

 

I really enjoy the Castlevania-like gameplay, but yes, the difficulty does put me off. The furthest I got was to Death Mountain after finishing the 2nd temple, and that's not very far, is it?

Edited May 28, 2013 by Mars Brownie

[The Swedish Brony 153]

I might be too young to say this but...

I 
LOVE 
OLD-SCHOOL GAMING!!!

And it's one of my greatest sorrows that I wasn't born in the "olden days" of gaming.

 

I simply can't say why I love those pixels but only say that I do :3

I mean, one of my most prized possessions is the DS version of Chrono Trigger! I was just walking around at a japancon and just found it lying there with bunch of other games.

Also I am so mad at my younger self for not buying any good old-school games! I had a game boy, but no bucking pokemon! What's up with that!

I too agree to that "gamers" these days are too concerned to how a game looks. I mean, isn't it the content that's important! Kids these days...

[Mutemutt 773]

I forgot to mention I also have a soft spot for chiptunes. I'm not quite sure why, but I like those chiptune sounds. It's a good thing there are people who still make music in that style or at least incorporate in their music and I can't get enough of some of those 8 bit remixes.

 

I too agree to that "gamers" these days are too concerned to how a game looks. I mean, isn't it the content that's important! Kids these days...

 

But that is part of the content...

I was doing some thinking on the subject lately and visuals are one of the most integral parts of video games. Without some sort of graphics, you don't have a video game anymore, maybe a board game or a game of tag but not a video game. Heck, the only thing separating Zork from a "choose your own adventure" book is that it's output to a screen. Zork and visual novels have very minimal amounts of gameplay and are still considered games. I'd argue that both gameplay and visuals are necessary in order to have a video game. You can say that people may give too much weight to graphics, but to argue that they insignificant is going too far.

 

But like I said before, it's all about the experience. Everything counts for something. So story, characters, dialog, voice acting, cutscenes, music and, yes, graphics, matter.

Edited May 28, 2013 by MuteMutt