Every other day sees the release of innovative new games, each promising better graphics, smoother gameplay, and more advanced development techniques. While major studios pour all of their resources into winning the technological arms race that seems to be gripping much of the industry, other companies are sticking with the classics.
Change is good but it seems that the past is more popular, if the global resurgence of retro video games is anything to go by. According to the Entertainment Software Association, the average age of a gamer is 34, which they have attributed in part to the renaissance of games first released in the 80s and 90s that are now being re-released en masse, to be eagerly consumed by the public.
Let’s take a look at the enduring popularity of retro video games and question whether this is a trend that will last.
What Are People Playing?
It’s worth starting by breaking down exactly which retro games are currently dominating the sales charts, as this gives a better picture of why they are so resurgent at the moment. The types of retro games currently enjoying a renaissance can currently be divided into two categories; console and arcade games that have developed a kind of cult status, and games that were previously physical that are currently enjoying a new lease of life in the digital era.
The first category’s popularity is well-documented. Cultural icons such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., Sonic Mania, and Crazy Taxi are among the most widely played games in 2019, despite the recent release of some of the most expensive new games ever produced.
Nintendo, which owns the rights to the majority of retro hits, has been quick to capitalize. They moved quickly last year to shut down websites hosting the old games’ code, only to quickly re-release them as a subscription service via their Nintendo Switch NES platform. They saw the resurgence of retro gaming and realized there was money to be made, and they were right.
The other category includes much older “classic” games such as bingo, battleship, and poker. Bingo has seen a resurgence as a millennial craze, with hipster bingo halls opening up and down the country to cater to this new generation of bingo players. Meanwhile, in the digital realm, iGaming platforms such as Buzz Bingo are offering online bingo on PC and smartphones so that nostalgic Gen-Xers can dive right back into their favourite past time.
Why Are People Playing Them?
The reasons for this resurgence have been hotly debated. The numbers are indisputable, with retro gaming options skyrocketing in popularity in the past couple of years. But where did it come from?
The age of the modern gamer is a critical component. A recent study by Inverse revealed that the so-called “psychology of nostalgia” has been a major driving force, with study participants claiming that playing games that were popular during their childhood provide a sense of comfort and familiarity that makes them feel more secure.
The other major driving force for this resurgence is more cultural. In recent years, in parallel with a general revival of mid-90s fashion and music in the West, the iconography of early Nintendo games has been appearing on Paris runways, top 40 songs, and, of course, influencer culture. This may also be driven by a sense of childhood nostalgia, but it’s clear that retro gaming is also experiencing a cultural vogue at the moment that may prove fleeting.
Of course, it may also just be that retro games offer a more simple and straightforward gaming experience. Who needs the latest Xbox One games when you can just sit back and engage in some Super Smash Bros. button mashing?