Retro Gaming Nostalgia
Guys like us, we had it made. Those were the days.
If the worldwide mania around Pokémon Go tells us anything, it’s that when it comes to gaming, nostalgia is in. Until very recently, Pokémon was an old school Nintendo game that only gaming devotees were into—a far cry from the global phenomenon it has become again in just a few weeks. But now we’re seeing more and more examples of old school and retro gaming coming back into the mainstream in various formats.
Oldie but Goodie
On the heels of Nintendo’s success with Pokémon Go, the company has announced that it is releasing an updated version of its 1983 Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) on 11 November. They are no doubt capitalizing on the very sharp increase in share price they experienced in the wake of Poke—last week it was up 15%.
As the company press release stated, “the classic NES is back in a familiar-yet-new form as a mini replica of Nintendo’s original home console. Plugging directly into a high-definition TV using the included HDMI cable, the console comes complete with 30 NES games built-in, including beloved classics like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong, PAC-MAN and Kirby’s Adventure.”
A New Wave of Playability
Though consumers will need to buy a cable to connect the device, the Classic Mini is noted for being one of the first gaming units to run on USB power. As the Guardian tech blog reported, “Its controller will be compatible with the Wii and Wii U, through which Nintendo sells its older games over the internet.”
While Nintendo is being clever by compounding interest in old school games, it’s worth asking if is this just a fleeting trend. And if it’s not, why is it that nostalgia sells so well when it comes to gaming? The trend of “retrogaming” would suggest that it’s here to stay. Another word for classic gaming or old school gaming, this trend describes “playing or collecting of older personal computer, console and arcade video games in contemporary times. Usually retrogaming is based upon systems that are obsolete or discontinued.” However, because companies like Nintendo are making it easier than ever before to relive games of the past with new releases that sync with modern systems, it’s possible that the trend of retro gaming is poised to become more mainstream than ever.
Relive Our Youth
One of the primary reasons is that gaming is a form of escapism for all ages. We associate games like Zelda and Donkey Kong with a time when we were children and had far fewer worries than we do as adults, and thus playing them seems to offer a respite from the pressures of adulthood.
But beyond fond memories, there may be psychological reasons as well. These games often tend to be quite simple and not intellectually demanding to play, which can add to the happiness they make us feel when we play them. In a study on video games published in the American Psychological Association, “Simple games that are easy to access and can be played quickly, such as “Angry Birds”, can improve players’ moods, promote relaxation and ward off anxiety, the study said. If playing video games simply makes people happier, this seems to be a fundamental emotional benefit to consider.”
This perhaps explains why we’ve seen so many adults who weren’t previously into gaming taking up the fun of Pokémon Go with fervor. It’s a fun and carefree way to play a game that if not taken too far can have a positive effect on mental health. It will be interesting to watch this space and see what other kinds of modern takes on retro games enter the market.