Why do gamers today hate the classics?

"Who cares about old games?"

That's something one of my friends actually said to me when he saw me playing Megaman 2 on the NES.

Are you kidding me!? "Old" games are the best.

I play my N64 and my PS2 more than I play my 360. The reason why? The games were better back then!

These young gamers need to get passed this wall and realize that graphics aren't everything.

Why is it that gamers today don't appreciate the classics?

Perhaps it's because they started playing video games with games such as Modern Warfare and Gears of War, so those games are what set the bar for them.

(I'm still impressed today by the graphics in Metal Gear Solid 3 and even Zelda OOT.)

I've enjoyed a lot of retro games that saw release way before I was born. Think it varies on what people enjoy out of the hobby. A few base enjoyment entirely on how a game looks- pixel counting texture quality and advance lighting techniques. Ray-tracing is the hot chick for those of that niche demographic right now.

For me, gameplay tends to be my favorite aspect above all else. If it plays well, gives me options, and is simply fun to play? I'll probably have a good time. Other aspects are but extra layers on this foundation. Tetris is one of the best examples I can give for raw gameplay enjoyment_

If the retro game(s) for whatever reason focused on being technical marvels 'of its time', or doing some non-gaming related aspect that was "revolutionary" to its demographic? I probably think it's shallow and not worth my time; D00M 3.

*I could list quite a lot of the shallow games for further reference; yet I'd rather not make enemies on the forum if I can help it (∩_∩) And if someone supports D00M 3? . . Well I recommend reevaluating why you enjoy games.

I think the 360 is a "classic" console too now...

Lots of contemporary gamers like old games. Many don't. Some people like cutting edge technology, and a large part of gaming culture is driven by that, or at least the perception of that. It's not like we're talking literature or something, where things from centuries ago still have legitimate claims to being the best ever made. Even games like OOT (which I think is *horribly* overrated myself) have blatantly obvious deficiencies in how it looks compared to modern games. It's obviously not all about graphics, but technology does limit older games in many ways. It doesn't mean they're not incredible - I still play tons of games going back to the 80's and love them - but some people don't want to play games that feel like they were limited to technology that is decades old. Heck, going back to play one of my favourite FPS's ever, Duke Nukem 3D, feels odd because they won't let you look straight up in it. Probably something to do with the sprite based graphics and how it would mess with the visuals. That's old tech limiting the game in ways that seems weird to contemporary gamers.

Gamers today hate everything.

I don’t think gamers today don’t hate the classics hate is such a strong word. I think part of the reason is the younger generations would not know of the classics probably only having been exposed to the newer systems such as the Switch and so on. Also everyone has his or her own opinion and likes and dislikes.

Talk to better gamers. There's a retrogaming discord where all people talk about are classic games. Tell them i sent you.

I don’t.

Forget about them. (when it comes to games)

I left my newshit gaming friends in the dust and don't even bring up the topic of games anymore. They're a lost cause.

You are old. Old people like old stuff.

@Willy105: I’m not that old I’m only 42. And I dislike your comment about old people.

They lack context, that's the best way I can describe it.

I mean, I can enjoy Deus Ex because I was there when it was released. At the time, it was a great game; good audio, good visuals, and good quality in general.

Now, while the overall gameplay of Deus Ex is still pretty good, everything else is severely dated. I don't expect people who weren't there to treat Deus Ex with the same enthusiasm as they treat a modern game.

Lol, I know I've had a bit of a back and forth with you about Doom 3 before, but I really feel quite triggered by this post!

Now, let me say it again: Doom 3 had great atmosphere, it was scary, the story was told nicely through the pda's and the gameplay was SOLID. Also, the flashlight, while maybe not liked by all, helped to bring in tension - as did the widely criticized "jump scares". There were also a decent variety of enemies, necessitating different approaches to combat - as opposed to the mindless circle strafing wave shooter that was Doom 2016.

Sure it pushed pc's to their limit but so what?

Imo, if you want to criticize a game for being overpraised for it's technical flair, while not actually being that good of a game, then a much better candidate would be Crysis.

In the real world it's not old, but when you're dealing with a bunch of kids and 20 somethings on a gaming site...

Most people will have a fond nostalgia and appreciation for whatever experiences they grew up with (whether that’s tv shows, games, books or sports), so someone who is a young kid growing up with a PS3 will appreciate that more than those of us who grew up getting a PS1 for Christmas or birthdays and remember growing up playing on that. I do love my old ps1-ps2 games still and like to go back and play them again, but I must admit most gameplay mechanics have gotten better with each generation, with more freedom and control in the games. However at newer games do seem too easy, a lot of actions are done for you, and just made up of in game cut scenes.

I always prefer classics over the modern ones and I think the best era of video games for me is the late 90s to mid 2000s, PS1, PS2 and early PS3 era. Many of the games in this era such as Suikoden, Wild Arms, Enchanted Arms, older Call of Duty, older Medal of Honor etc. no longer exists or at least went radical changes(Final Fantasy for example).

Call of Duty officially dead after it was "modernized" in 2007 as Modern Warfare. Some franchise like Final Fantasy and Sakura Wars changed from turn-based JRPGs into real-time hack-and-slash in order to cater newer generation of gamers, especially western ones. Final Fantasy VII was one of the iconic game ever made but unfortunately the remake turns it into a generic action game.

@phbz: Bingo, gamers for the most part are some of the most toxic people on the planet.

@Atomic1977: He’ll get old too and will probably have difficulty coming to terms with it or he’ll stigmatize himself.

I collect consoles from present day to the classics. Here is a list of my collections in order...

Atari 7800

Intellivision

Vectrex

NES

Gameboy

Sega Master System

SNES

N64

Sega Saturn

Gameboy Advanced

PS1

Virtual Boy

Nintendo DS

PS2

PSP

Xbox

NGage

Xbox 360

Wii

PS3

WiiU

Xbox One

Xbox One X

Each system has their gems and I wouldn’t get rid of any of them. Well, maybe the PS1 & 2 as their games are playable on my PS3 and their libraries aren’t that substantial.

All these aspects I can agree on in some way. The game itself looks really nice. Sound design has much to be desired but those hell encounters I actually prefer over the D00M IV versions overall, from a visual standpoint. And audio diaries while nothing new, and a bit overused, is highly optional and gives context to players that feel the need for it. While I come down on D00M 3 I can appricate what it did right.

the gameplay was SOLID

I mean. . it works kinda, but due to level design and certain weapons drastically overpowering the others it's a tad monotonous for my taste, and for D00M is unheard of. Previous three D00M games made every weapon ammo-type count which the latest 2016+ D00M games are recapturing. D00M 3 ignores all of this.

I disagree that older D00Ms had less options as well. Due to superior level design the player had more to work with despite its aim limitations. D00M 3 is heavily focused on creating a scripted scenario, and hoping the player acts accordingly to the programmers predictions exactly. That's as linear as games can get, lack of choice and weak level design really give me horrid feelings towards D00M 3 because the previous games didn't have these glaring issues.

if you want to criticize a game for being overpraised for it's technical flair, while not actually being that good of a game, then a much better candidate would be Crysis.

I have many times used Crysis for the exact same argument honestly, just with a few different complaints. Both are focused on a shiny picture than giving a better gaming experience.

Engine troubles, lack of resources, didn't care to focus outside of looks? Take your pick.

I do think the expansions did help these games, however to understand or have a good dive into either, you have to put up with the tedious and frustrating release campaign. And honestly that's what it boils down to.

*If you feel personally targeted (link was well discussed pros and cons for D00M 3) yet I have an example of a series I play that's extremely shallow for equal plain field_

Different kind of cosmetic reason. Kirby 3 was my first game ever played as such have purchased and played every Kirby entry could get my hands-on. It is now a shared experience with myself and a family member but the previous principles still apply, I buy and constantly kick myself afterwards. Vast majority those games are poorly designed, maybe worse than D00M 3 and Crysis, I won't defend them. The last two on Switch are horrible.

Stars Super Deluxe is the only Kirby game that would even say is very good. The rest are just nostalgia filler/ clearly designed as a child first game. Outside the child first game I get the impression D00M 3 and Crysis are loved for similar reasoning, nostalgia and visuals.

So on that note at least D00M rekindled its glory overtime. Crysis probably deserves its fate, the company didn't seem to learn any lessons. How Kirby lives today outside of Smash Brothers is beyond me. .

This.

@RSM-HQ: I mean. . it works kinda, but due to level design and certain weapons drastically overpowering the others it's a tad monotonous for my taste, and for D00M is unheard of. Previous three D00M games made every weapon ammo-type count which the latest 2016+ D00M games are recapturing. D00M 3 ignores all of this.

For some reason I don't recall having that problem. I guess I just accepted that as the enemies got bigger/harder, the less use I'd have for the weaker weapons. Perhaps they could've made ammo a bit more scarce but I imagine that would've generated a huge backlash! - [think metro 2033].

One recent game I DO recall having this issue with though, is wolfenstein tno. After a certain point you can pretty much just ignore every weapon except that laser cutter one (which has recharging stations on like every freakin' wall!)

Anyway, I'm trying to stay open-minded about the latest Doom entry; it does sound like more of a thinking game than it's predecessor which is a good thing imo.

True. The game being dark and using a flash light led to ammo being everywhere. id likely playtested how often people missed ammo and I assume it was common. Easy way to fix that is have it plentiful.

One recent game I DO recall having this issue with though, is wolfenstein tno

I'm assuming TNO is one of the recent Wolfenstein games? Have not played any the new ones. Though have seen a few compare those with D00M 3 surprisingly.

Anyway, I'm trying to stay open-minded about the latest Doom entry; it does sound like more of a thinking game than it's predecessor which is a good thing imo

Ironically I'm the complete opposite. Eternal to me seems like a very solid game, however it's going way off the deep end with identity issues, just not the D00M experience I sign up for.

May try Eternal at a much later date to see if I like it.

Probably a part of it is being a hipster and such.

Because alot of them are casuals that just play what is popular they don't care about classics all they care about is trends.

Is throwing casual and hardcore still a thing?

Current popular games include D00M: Eternal, which seems to be extremely challenging. I think your phrasing is off_

Calling the demographic high-in-large "casuals" isn't really any less rational than dismissing retro games.

@RSM-HQ: I'm assuming TNO is one of the recent Wolfenstein games? Have not played any the new ones. Though have seen a few compare those with D00M 3 surprisingly.

Don't worry, you're not missing much. Most would agree that rtcw was the best of the series. Neither wolf2 nor the latest one got great reviews.

Ironically I'm the complete opposite. Eternal to me seems like a very solid game, however it's going way off the deep end with identity issues, just not the D00M experience I sign up for.

May try Eternal at a much later date to see if I like it.

I'm not someone who worries about series' "staying true" to their roots so much. For me, a good game is a good game. But still, I don't feel like paying full price for Doom eternal. I too will be waiting for at least 50% off - or better yet 75!

Cheap level design.

I'm talking more about the Madden and the COD series I really don't consider Doom popular for the casuals they usually buy two games a year the most they don't follow gaming news and just see ads for it.

Don't follow enough of the sport gaming scene to know Madden very well. It's football that Americans play similar to rugby, so assume it's a lot like the soccer games- in which have heavy micro-transactions and bot assists. Suppose I cannot argue if it has those kind of safety-mittens.

However Call of Duty for all the flack I give it being the same game with a new hat every year would assume a few who play those games are far from being considered a casual gamer. Having good reflexes and commitment; considering it's a competitive PvP focused experience.

Overall it's those peoples choices on what they play. Don't think people should be considered 'casual' for buying less games and investing more time into games they like. However sport simulators do tend to play themselves so I agree on that one at the very least_

I really don't consider Doom popular for the casuals they usually buy two games a year the most they don't follow gaming news and just see ads for it.

Well it's already known to have had the best opening weekend of a D00M entry sale-wise. And Bethesda spent a whole lot of money marketing the **** out of the game.

The zeitgeist is in full swing for D00M Eternal right now, so would call it popular for the time-being. It's in a period that a vocal minority are calling it the "greatest shooter of all time". It seems like a good game at the very least, yet get the assumption these people are the same brainwashed souls that cling to adverts like empty husks.

Waiting for that honeymoon period to end and see if that changes anything.

I've noticed a lot of peoples opinions change very quickly on gaming forums, very few start with rational observation.

@warmblur: Without "casuals" gaming would have been dead ages ago.

To some degree yes.

Older Call of Duty actually plays like a video games while its recent incarnations(post Modern Warfare and beyond) feels more like glorified interactive movies than actual video games.

Even the multiplayer?

Must admit I don't really play many Call of Duty games. Last one I really tried was Modern Warfare 2 a very long time ago, and it certainly wasn't a movie, not from my experience anyhow.

Didn't understand the hype for it all though. It's whole gimmick was air strikes that most the time missed everybody.

I have a niece who I want to get into classic gaming slowly. She likes Minecraft and Roblox which I would never get if I was 5 years old. I was 5 when I played Super Mario Brothers on NES and love 2D gaming like Mega Man, Star Tropics, Ninja Gaiden, Donkey Kong Country, Metroid, etc. I been playing Sega Genesis Collection on PS4 and most of the games aren't as good as I remembered. I know if my nephews played Comix Zone or Vectorman, they would find it challenging and boring.

Don't a lot of gamers today love the classics? They are making mini versions of a lot of the consoles I grew up with.

@lembu90: Yeah that is one of my pet peeves of modern games, where it feels more like you hit a few buttons to get through an animated cutscene and spend more time watching the scenes than actual gameplay or using any sort of skill. The older games seemed more focused on gameplay rather than flashy cutscenes and animations where you just hit a button to progress though.

I'm 30 and grew up with all these games, but for me, it is really hard to go back and play them. I can play certain ones, but some of the big hits that I missed growing up, I have tried, but can't get into them.

I don't hate them.

I still play the classics.

It's likely a generation thing, Just like how many of us think the music, movies etc. that our parents enjoyed when they were young are dated and our preference are the ones we grew up with. The same can be applied to video games and while Music and Movies have changed, it's very visible how games have changed from the 90ties, 2000 and to modern day.
Which makes them look even more dated for a generation that grown up with modern day graphics, rather then back in the era when 16-bit, 32-bit and even early polygons were the pinnacle of video game graphics.

In the future these same people will likely make a similar thread about how younger gamers hate the classics like Fortnite and Dark Souls.

That said it doesn't apply to every member of the younger generations as you will always have those that find enjoyment and interest in the past products.

Old games are in some regards indeed good, but I would not say they are the best.

Also, some do not hold up to the time, but it´s all a preference, if the content is good it does not matter how long ago the game was made, just look at the resurface of 2d graphics.

Sometimes developers and publishers, not just gamers can be blame as well. For example Tetsuya Nomura waited more than 20 years to reboot(no just remake) Final Fantasy VII because he hates the 1997 classic, especially in gameplay department. I believe some of the lower-ranking developers in Square-Enix still wants to make newer FF games with turn-based gameplay but with someone like Nomura in charge, they don't have any choices. This also explain why some other games like Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default may began their lives as cancelled and discarded ideas for newer FF games.

Back to topic I think "newer gamers hate classic" issue is not new. Back then in mid 2000s, many people of that time hated some PS1 classics such as Front Mission 3 and Final Fantasy IX because of their graphics and gameplay.

Today some gamers hate fast-paced action RPGs like Fable and Kingdom of Amalur as they preferred slower-paced Soulsborne clones instead.

@RSM-HQ: My little brother & I love retro games. Shoot, he loves it more than I do & looking forward to "Streets Of Rage 4" later this year. As for the topic, it comes down to preference. There are people in the gaming community who like newer games more & others prefer older games. There's nothing wrong playing them. I'm guessing some of those gamers are sick & tired of hearing about how "old" games are classic, awesome & perfect (let's be real, there's no such thing as that. plus, older games have bugs & glitches).

Made the launch thread for that beauty and have the physical edition pre-ordered. Love me those Beat em' Ups. Wish Mother Russia Bleeds turned out better, but not everything can be Castle Crashers/ Dragon's Crown level of quality and care. Have high hopes for SEGA bringing back a beloved classic though.

I'm guessing some of those gamers are sick & tired of hearing about how "old" games are classic, awesome & perfect

It's overall a double-edge sword and why I personally standby all generations have gems and stinkers. No generation is perfect or bad.

Quite a few nostalgic older gamers that jump the forums are frankly "Boomers" and act like nothing in the last decade or so is worth playing, discrediting anything developed. Even to absurd levels of nonsense.

While a lot of millennial gamers are no better, living dopameme's constantly praising MOBA's, GTAO, CoD, and Battle Royale's; considering anything outside that online rush an dated concept in gaming. Likely due to Boomers giving retro games a bad name_

These are however overall vocal minorities. And a few have seen a chance to capitalise on those easily swayed demographics (two shown above), entertainers making money off those easily pandered demographics.

Much like your little brother I grew up just enjoying games for the fun factor and mechanics. Loving systems and software almost double my age. And most invested gamers I know have this mentality. Judge a game not when it was made, but for what it actually offers.

This thread is comparable to Boomers vs Millennials but with video games.