The return of retro gaming
There’s no shortage of new tech but many of us are hankering after the games of our youth, writes Blayne Slabbert.
Retro gaming consoles are making a comeback with some units selling out in days as gamers seek out options to play old-school games.
This is despite the surge in gaming on smartphones and the release of top-end consoles featuring 4K resolution, life-like graphics and blockbuster-movie budgets.
The old-school consoles are being snapped up by those wanting to revisit their past when games were simple but addictive. However, younger gamers are also interested to get a taste of gaming history.
Retro games can also be better for kids as they can keep them entertained and help hand-to-eye co-ordination without exposing them to realistic looking violent games.
Older games are still popular as they were (mostly) well designed. Developers couldn’t rely on graphics (old games were only 4 megabytes compared with today’s 40 gigabytes) so they needed good gameplay to hook people.
There are several options available and most of them are easily available in New Zealand.
NES Classic Mini
This console by Nintendo is a smaller version of the original, groundbreaking NES console released in the mid-1980s.
The SNES Classic Mini ($119) comes loaded with 30 games including Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Zelda and Street Fighter II. It has only one controller though you can buy a second one for multiplayer games, or upgrade to a wireless version.
This created a lot of buzz when it was released in 2016 and it quickly sold out but it’s now quite easy to get in New Zealand.
Super NES Classic
This is the second retro console from Nintendo and the two similar names can make it confusing.
The SNES Classic is bigger and more expensive ($140) but it has two advantages.
First, it comes with two controllers which make it multiplayer friendly straight out of the box and second, most reviewers claim it has better games.
It has 21 pre-loaded titles including several Super Mario games, Legends of Zelda, Donkey Kong, Final Fantasy and the previously unreleased Star Fox 2.
One downside is that it doesn’t have a cartridge slot so you can’t just play older games you happen to still have.
Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega
Back in the 1980s, ZX Spectrum computers were one of the musthave tech purchases, featuring rubbery keys and lots of fun software.
A few years ago, the company released the Vega, a small unit that had a similar design to the original and that comes with 1000 preloaded games.
You use the unit as a remote control and plug it into your television. It features a range of titles from Spectrum’s heyday, including shoot-’em-up and adventure games.
Unfortunately, they’re hard to find in New Zealand and your best bet is to find one in England where they’re made. Expect to pay about $100.
Original consoles
The PS One (1984) was the first modern console that brought powerful 3-D graphics into people’s homes.
The original PlayStation featured classics such as Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot and Tomb Raider.
You can easily pick one up on Trade Me for under $100 and there are still hundreds of games available too.
The original Xbox, which was first released in 2001, costs about the same and was the machine that unleashed the Halo franchise on the gaming world.
While these units are fun, they have limits too, such as wired controllers which may be offputting in this wireless world.
Atari VCS
Atari has a special place in gaming history which is why fans are excited about its upcoming retro console.
The Atari VCS comes in two versions. The Collector’s Edition (US$339, NZ$500) has a wooden front and standard controller, while the Onyx (US$199, NZ$300) is plastic and has no controller.
Its design reflects that of the Atari 2600 (first released in 1977) and included a classic joystick controller but it’ll play modern games.
The bad news is that they’re not available until next year but the good news is that New Zealand will be one of the first countries to get them.
You can pre-order now from Indiegogo.
Other options
If you don’t want to buy a new console you can experience retro games on existing units.
Atari’s Flashback Classics for PlayStation 4 features 50 iconic games remastered in high definition.
Games include Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command and Pong.
For Xbox One owners there’s Sega Mega Drive Classics which has 50 games, including Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage 2 plus other old favourites.
Many of the games have been updated so you can save your game at any time or customise your controls.