Retro-influenced gaming is in style again, with re-releases, re-makes, and retro sequels of classic games being pumped out on an almost daily basis. But I remember when retro was still new. The 8-bit games, the midi audio, and the tile-based design was considered the norm. Gamers didn’t worry about technological setbacks or missed chances, they just played games and loved them.
I remember several aspects of gaming that seem to have disappeared with modern game design; aspects that were trivial back then, but drew me into a game and kept me coming back. So I put together this list of my gaming memories that, while I don’t necessarily always miss, I do look back on fondly now.
I’m sure you may have as many memories as I do, so feel free to add them in to the comments.
I remember when…
- hardware was measure in bits
- we were happy to complete new games in one sitting
- games were on cartridges and had batteries
- the console wars were Nintendo vs Sega
- jumps had to be pixel-perfect
- wrestling games were fun
- turn-based and random battles were cool
- we played and beat a game over 100 times in one summer
- we still called it “beating” a game (instead of completing it)
- the highlight of character animation was when a sprite would blink when waiting for an action
- we called characters “sprites”
- video flicker wasn’t a problem, it was expected
- sequels were always better than the original
- every game had codes to use on the title screen
- we drew maps on graph paper
- title screens mattered
- licensed games were actually good
- there was no difficulty level selection
- we used to rent games instead of buy them
- we never bought used games
- we were happy with getting a game for Christmas
- gaming hardware could be fixed at home… by blowing on it
- games were actually hard
- even though no one was around to see it, I beat Ninja Gaiden, I swear!
- we took photos of the ending screen to prove we beat a game
- whenever we heard “Double Dibble” we were happy
- Megaman 2 was still the best
- Punchout! still had Mike Tyson
- we were excited the first time we could save a game
- we got lost in the Lost Woods
- up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start
- Genesis Does What Nintendon’t!
- virtual reality was going to take over
- Double Dragon was fun
- “Load”…. “Run”
- box art included in-game graphics or looked like romance novels
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