Links: Online Retro Gaming at 80's Nostalgia

Everybody has a different idea of what makes 'Retro' - but mine is simple. I think of retro gaming as being any game that has been released - i.e. in the past, rather than those that are due to come out in the future. There are people who spend their whole time talking about what is coming and constantly look to the new and miss the gems of the past. The games that defined 'Gaming'. The games that were worth buying a console for. The games that have been played and loved, rather than only talked about in anticipation.

Hype is a bad thing in any area of life. Coming from the Media, the publisher or the internet forums - It will, more often than not, cause disappointment. It feels much healthier (mentally) to stay slightly detached from what is 'going to happen' and focus on the hard facts as well as the many subjective opinions of the past. This, in my view, includes the magazine reviews that have been written once a game has been played right through, rather than views based on previews and speculation.

Video gaming history is a short one, but one that has come along way. Lets enjoy all games, past and present, for the uniquely diverse entertainment that they are; interactive, finger-hurting, absorbing, thought-provoking, exciting, stay-up-late-inducing, scary, story-telling, social, mind-bending, addictive, pad-throwing, humorous, nostalgia-envoking, and fun.

I personally would have preferred that the term 'Retro' had never been used. It takes away from just 'Gaming'. Whether the games are 1 year or 24 years old - to me they will always just be 'Video Games'. And this is where I can tell you what games I think you should own and play a lot (or at least play a lot). They are listed with some information by format on my Games to Own page.

---

Related Sites:

Retrospec - An excellent selection of classic game remakes, including an excellent Head Over Heels and a fantastic Cybernoid 2 remake.

With interest in old games seeing a revival not only on the net but also in the written press I present to you some details of the best magazines for retro gaming information.

GAMESTM - This magazine happens to be my favourite, without a doubt, as i like to keep completely up-to-date with new games, the games industry and what is going on. But it also has a supplementary magazine called Retro that talks about old games, reviews of old games, reviews of old games on new machines, reviews of new games on old machines, interviews, games that time forgot, machine and game price guides and loads more. You must also go to their comprehensive website www.gamestm.co.uk for subscription details and practically everything that has ever been in their mag.