Gaming's Golden Age

[cka]

For me, it was the 16bit era, no question. Nothing disappointed me back then, every major game had a multi-console port of some kind unless it was first party, the games held my interest for more than 1 run through, and so much more.

[xS]

[qoute]PBmax: I'm sure all those games were good in, like, 1982, but can you honestly tell me that Tempest is better than Panzer Dragoon Orta?[/quote]
Gyruss is better

[xS]

I feel bad, I should have voted for 32 bit.

I don't know what ShinAqua's problem is.

Simply put todays games are much better than anything the 2600 or Coleco was ever capable of. When I say interaction what I mean is that you do more than just walk and shoot, move arround in a maze eating pelets, or move a paddle up and down. And that whole bit about watching games is called substance.

[Frogacuda]

Originally posted by 88mph
PBmax: I'm sure all those games were good in, like, 1982, but can you honestly tell me that Tempest is better than Panzer Dragoon Orta? That Gorf is better that Steel Battalion? That Yars Revenge is better that Ico? Rez? Devil May Cry?

Joust? Please...

You're living in the past. I grew up with these games too, but I can see the beauty in todays games.

I refuse to accept that the "golden age" of gaming took place when games were as simplistic as they were when I was a kid. Some truly amazing game experiences have come out in the last two generations, it kinda bums me out that you might not see that.

No one said that all games then were better than all games now. And yes I would say that Space Harrier is better than Panzer Dragoon, and Gyruss is better than Ico and Devil May Cry, etc. They honestly were. Some of my favorite games are newer, but newer games often lack the replay and refinement of older games, and they have alot of padding that isn't neccessarily a good thing.

I never played Donkey Kong Jr until like 5 years ago. To this day it's one of my very favorite games. Nostalgia is not the only thing that makes these games great. Alot of them really do hold up in the gameplay department, probably alot better than Devil May Cry will 20 years from now.

[Josh]

Originally posted by Frogacuda Alot of them really do hold up in the gameplay department, probably alot better than Devil May Cry will 20 years from now.

Debateable...

[Mzo]

I don't know if I've ever been as excited about video games as I have been this generation. As far as I'm concerned, the Wind Waker alone makes this the Golden Age right here.

[Shine]

I have nothing against the 2600 generation, but gaming was in it's infancy then. My statement comparing those games to cave drawings still stands. I voted 16-bit because that was when games started to evolve beyond the simplistic gameplay of their predecessors. The stories evolved as well giving us substance, memorable characters, and an overall better experience. Earlier games were fun but were less of an experience, I can go for mindless fun but prefer to be taken to interesting places to meet interesting people. You just couldn't do as much of that with the 2600.

[NeoZeedeater]

Shine, I don't know if you're making this error but the classic mistake I notice people ignorant of the pre-NES eras make is that they think everything revolved around the Atari 2600.

The Atari 2600 was the most popular console of its time but it hardly represented the state of video game technology and the best quality in the early '80's. For most of its lifespan, the 2600 was vastly technologically outdated compared to other consoles. Not to mention consoles in general were inferior to home computers and especially arcade games.

[rezo]

Earlier games were fun but were less of an experience, I can go for mindless fun but prefer to be taken to interesting places to meet interesting people.

maybe you would have been playing text adventures then?

[PKBMax]

Originally posted by 88mph
PBmax: I'm sure all those games were good in, like, 1982, but can you honestly tell me that Tempest is better than Panzer Dragoon Orta? That Gorf is better that Steel Battalion? That Yars Revenge is better that Ico? Rez? Devil May Cry?

Actually, IMO Tempest is most definitely a better game than Orta.

Now don't get me wrong, Orta is a damn good game, as are many of today's titles. I never said, nor will I ever say, that there are no good games being made today.

I am simply stating that a game focused on solid gameplay, rather than technical razzle dazzle, will stand the test of time. Tempest will always be fun. Robotron and Yar's Revenge will always be fun. They were fun when they were made, are still fun now, and still will be fun 50 years from.

That is the joy of classic gaming. The time when gameplay was king. These games focus on compelling, challenging, and addicting gameplay with rock solid control. All things that are often overlooked today in the quest for story driven CGI epics.

The fact is pratically every game you play today simply recycles an idea that was thought of in the era that you call crap. Think about that.

Joust? Please...

A great game.

You're living in the past. I grew up with these games too, but I can see the beauty in todays games.

I don't live in the past, but I do cherish it.

There are plenty of great games coming out today; but I will never forget, or stop playing, the great games that came before them.

A great game is a great game regardless of it's age.

I refuse to accept that the "golden age" of gaming took place when games were as simplistic as they were when I was a kid. Some truly amazing game experiences have come out in the last two generations, it kinda bums me out that you might not see that.

Don't be bummed out on my account. The fact is my eyes are wide open and I choose to see, and enjoy, the entire scope of gaming; not just a subsection. It bums me out that so many never allow themselves that experience.