Age Matters

[NeoZeedeater]

StriderKyo, with regards to Final Fantasy 1, it came out in 1990 in North America when Nintendo published it. So, some of us played more than just Dragon Warrior before it, like Miracle Warriors, Destiny of an Emperor and Phantasy Star 1 and 2.

Phantasy Star 1 was light years beyond Final Fantasy. In Japan Phantasy Star came out a few weeks after Final Fantasy but in North America, Phantasy Star came out two years before and was the first Japanese RPG released in English.

[DacaZ]

I can still get as excited about games as I could back when I was a wee one in 70s and early 80s.

My first gaming machine was a Commodore PET computer. I had a bunch of homebrew cassette games for it, which mostly involved text adventures and ASCII code. I spent a ton of time on that machine, I wish I still had it just for shits and giggles.

I can remember the feeling of glee when I got my 2600 and oh how I remember when 2600 Pac Man was released. Yeah, it was a steaming pile, but I was probably around 11 when it was released and I didn't know any better.

The only aspect of gaming as an older person I think may help to lose a little magic is the supply end of things. If I see a game I want, I usually buy it. Back in the day I had to either pester my parents for it or save up for weeks on end to buy a 2600 or Intellivision cartridge. Getting a brand new game back in those days was certainly a more uncommon experience for me when compared to today.

[Zenigata]

I totally agree with you. I had a very similar experience with FFVII as you; I was a tad younger though. I think it's just a general changing perception of the world and life, not just a different type of schooling. When I played FFVII I really didn't know what to expect, what to do, where to go, or what type of stuff was in the game. Also, I really focused entirely on the game. Complicated issues and worries weren't flowing in my mind at the time. However I can still play FFVII and get very nostalgic. I still get excited about new games, but the magical experience you described is a bit rare nowadays. If the game is great enough it can bring back feelings of yore.

[StriderKyo]

Originally posted by NeoZeedeater
StriderKyo, with regards to Final Fantasy 1, it came out in 1990 in North America when Nintendo published it. So, some of us played more than just Dragon Warrior before it, like Miracle Warriors, Destiny of an Emperor and Phantasy Star 1 and 2.

Phantasy Star 1 was light years beyond Final Fantasy. In Japan Phantasy Star came out a few weeks after Final Fantasy but in North America, Phantasy Star came out two years before and was the first Japanese RPG released in English.

Wasn't FF1 '89? And are you sure Destiny of an Emperor came out before it? Either way, I'd still put FF1 ahead of MW and PS2 (yeah, you heard me). I haven't played PS1 yet, but the only people who played that before Final Fantasy were kids whose parents didn't love them

Seriously, what's so bad about the first FF? The "maturing classes" thing was cool, as was the ability to make your party (for a console rpg, at least). The airships, the dungeons, I thought it was a pretty well balanced rpg.

Originally posted by DacaZ

My first gaming machine was a Commodore PET computer. I had a bunch of homebrew cassette games for it, which mostly involved text adventures and ASCII code. I spent a ton of time on that machine, I wish I still had it just for shits and giggles.

There were games on that thing?? I mean, other than Ascii Man's Magical Math Adventure?

[teenwolf]

Originally posted by Cloud
And thanks for proving my point perfectly with your second paragraph. What do all the games you mentioned have in common? Yeah, they're all old games that you probably played as a kid. I grew up in a different era so the games that go on my list of "fond memories" are going to differ alot from yours, but the idea is the same. Sure, I can play those games you mentioned on emulators all I want, but it's alot different when you're growing up and changing with it all then if you're simply playing it because it was regarded as good.

Apparently you forgot to read the post I made right after this. And my first post was a comment on younger gamers for the most part not knowing about or not being interested in older games. I can totally understand how someone could feel very nostalgic about their first rpg, my comment was in regards to the quality of it compared to other rpg's though. Ask anyone who has played through most of the great rpg's around and you will find that almost no one would rate FF7 in the top ten, it clearly was a substandard Final Fantasy to anyone who didn't play it as one of their first rpg's and who has played through enough rpg's to know quality when they play it...


HS is a cake walk, it sucked though, four wasted years down the drain. hurray for the mass compulsory school system!...

[DacaZ]

There were games on that thing?? I mean, other than Ascii Man's Magical Math Adventure?

Hehe, hell yeah. Just off the top of my head, I had bowling, golf, tennis, baseball. A game called Meteor which was like a cross between Asteroids and Space Invaders. An non-licensed Star Trek combat simulator. A couple of ASCII based D&D-type games. And... um... that's all I can think of now.

Mmm, Mmm, those were the days. But man, did some of those games take a long time to load.

[Tracer]

There were a bunch ASCII D&D games... some of those were the best (truest) D&D videogames ever made.

ºTracer

[StriderKyo]

Hah! Yeah, I remember how brutal it was on C64. My friend and I used to go play outside for a half an hour while Q-Bert loaded off the tape drive. I can't imagine how bad it must have been on the PET. I grew up with those things in school, all the way to high school (thank you, Toronto school board!). Seriously, somebody at the school board must have owed the Commodore sales guy a HUGE favour. At least the Wangs were phazed out by the time I got there.

[NeoZeedeater]

I'm not going to argue about Phantasy Star 2 since I know how much you hate the game. It's my least favorite PStar game anyway.

The first Final Fantasy wasn't bad. I just think 8-bit RPGs in general don't stand the test of time well. And after being wowed by Phantasy Star for a couple years, Final Fantasy's late domestic release(it was 1990) was slightly disappointing.

[DacaZ]

There were a bunch ASCII D&D games... some of those were the best (truest) D&D videogames ever made.

Yep. I loved them. Here's a screenshot of my character about to open a treasure chest while a poisonous snake sneaks up from behind...

& @$

Um... well, ya kinda had to be there.