If you had dabbled in retro games pre-COVID (yes, we know that was a lifetime ago), you may have noticed that there wasn’t much in the way of appeal for retro games. It was there, but retro gaming seemed to be the sole domain of ‘gamers’.
When COVID hit, things changed. Retro game prices shot up because gamers around the world realized they craved a dose of nostalgia to get them through those trying times. Retro games have remained popular ever since, although many who dabble with retro games are also playing something a bit more modern, too.
Let’s look at why retro and modern games are appealing to Irish players.
Nostalgia Never Gets Old
Retro games are popular because people are clinging to nostalgia. If you played the original Pokémon games or Goldeneye when they were brand-new, you probably can remember the exact feeling that you had when you played those games. I know I do. Goldeneye was filled with epic moments of 4-8 of us sitting around two televisions and having a whopping amount of fun, always clambering for the next game. Pokémon Blue? I was hunting down a Ponyta for some reason. No. I still don’t know why.
People play retro games because they want to relive some of the thrill they had when they first discovered those games. Now, I will admit that you’ll never be able to get the same feeling you had back when you played them for the first time. Sorry to disappoint you. However, you will still have a lot of fun and have an awesome smile on your face throughout!
It isn’t just the standard video game where people are seeking nostalgia, either. Some online gamblers (particularly slot machine gamblers) are playing more ‘retro’ casino games online. Although the reason for this is often down to the games being much simpler, rather than a case of nostalgia. But, if you discover or stumble across the newest casino sites in Ireland, you’ll notice that almost all of them contain games that are well over a decade old, and some of them may be attracting way more players than you think.
But New Games Can Be More Thrilling
We’ll be honest and say that, despite what the internet may tell you, games are considerably better now than they were in the past. Considerably better. Yes, some retro games may be a bit more fun for you, but modern games are packed with features you couldn’t even dream about a decade ago.
Gamers love how modern games feel. The stories are deeper. The worlds are bigger. And there’s so much to do and explore that you can easily sink hours into a single session without even noticing. In contrast, retro games kept people busy by often making the games incredibly difficult (and, in some cases, ‘cheated’ a little bit to stop people from getting too good at the game).
It is rare to find a gamer who exclusively plays retro games, because somebody who likes retro games often tends to be a fan of gaming as a whole. They might play retro games a little bit more, but they are not afraid of trying out a few new things that appeal to them.
More Retro Games are Being Remade
You may also have noticed that more retro games are now being remade or remastered. This offers people access to retro games with a bit more of a modern twist.
Those who wouldn’t touch a game with graphics older than five years (and yes, you would be surprised at how many people fall into this category) are checking out older games because they’ve had a little bit of a spruce up.
Online Communities Make It Easier to Enjoy Your Gaming Style
In my opinion, one of the greatest things about gaming nowadays is the fact that there are so many online websites where you can socialize with like-minded people. Part of the appeal of gaming is sharing your love of gaming with others, and, honestly, no matter what game you are a fan of, you can probably find a community online that surrounds it.
Online gaming communities can be a little bit odd at times, often parroting the opinion of their favorite YouTube channel. But you can also get a good amount of discussion, too. This has, especially, made retro games a lot more appealing to me. I have been able to learn new techniques for nailing those games I wasn’t able to when I was younger, or discover new secrets in games.
I also think that the online community spirits are infectious when it comes to retro gaming, because they’re sharing the love of a game they have played for years. It just makes the games more appealing to me, and probably to many other gamers as well.
Modern games are so massive now that such tight-knit communities are harder to find since there are so many usernames. But you can still make a few friends.
Games are Fun No Matter When They Were Made
Of course, the main appeal is that it doesn’t really matter when a game is made. A fun game is a fun game. Probably not the same sort of fun, though. For example, the original Mario game on the NES is very simplistic in comparison to modern iterations, but there is no denying the game will keep you occupied for hours trying to make those jumps and defeating the boss every few levels (which, honestly, is not that hard).
So, if you try to limit yourself exclusively to modern games or retro games, broaden your horizons like many people in Ireland have. You’ll find a lot more fun than you might have imagined you would.
