Pre-NES System War

[Frogacuda]

Originally posted by 88mph
I don't understand arcade gaming...
You ever seen my kitchen?

Owning books doesn't make you literate.

[Josh]

Reading them constantly does.

[NeoZeedeater]

I would argue that early '80's games often hold up better than late '80's games because the NES/SMS-style of games were generally made much better in the 16-bit era.

[galvatron]

88, please refrain from 0wning frogacuda. The 0wnage must end!

Anyway, I'm gonna say make an intellivision part of your retro gaming as Tron Deadly Disc and Night Stalker are tons of fun. Also, get an atari 5200 for the best ports of the early arcade stuff (which is also backwards compatible with some of the more popular models). Besides, it's the only game system I've seen that has a trunk...a must see.

[Blaine]

I really can't pick one, I was so young when I played them initially that I really can't give a fair answer.

I love vector, so the Vectrex rules.

Collecovision was a solid performer and the 2600 adapter is a solid solution.

And Atari is legend.

But what I will offer up is an explanation for why a lot of people still swarm to these games. A lot of people say it's sheer nostalgia, that the games aren't as good as we seem to think they are. Personally I think a lot of it is the games. The fact that back then the designers had a freedom that designers today do not.

Think about the games, look back at the catalog and see what is available. Back then a designer could propose a game like "Okay, it's a simulation game where you have to run a garbage truck company. You need to set-up the routes, make sure all the garbage get's picked up and make as much money as you can. At the same time, though, there are aliens invading and you'll have to send out armed escorts with the trucks." and someone would say "Hey! That sounds fun, here's $5,000. Make it." and that was it.

The game could sell a a moderate amount of units and the company would make money. It never occured to anyone that they could make millions of dollars.

Today, the investments are huge. Therefore the investors are only willing to drop money into established themes and genres. It doesn't matter if someone has the best idea for a game ever, if it's not an Extreme Sports title that emulates the Tony Hawk formula, a RTS game or a FPS then many publishers want nothing to do with it.

Just look at some of the trash out there. Do you really think some professional game designers were sitting there and suddenlty thought "hey! Razor scooters are k2wl! we should make a shitty game around them that poorly tries to imitate the sucess of Tony Hawk!" Of course not. They probably presented a publisher with a good idea and had it shot down when the dudes with the cash said 'no, let's do something extreme. those extreme sports titles sell well. do something with those collapsable scooters my son likes'.

And that's that. A game can't be made without the financial backers, who today have no guts since they know a game could make millions of dollars. So they want to stay 'mainstream' and hope the stupid thier way into a million-dollar maker.

Back in the 80's a console game was done by one dude, and it was just trying to make it's money back and then some.

So alternative ideas weren't frowned upon so much because the risk was very little. Besides, who knew if there was a market for waste disposal/alien invasion sims?

But I rant, never the less, there is something very cool about a game that was written, designed, programed in an all ways created by one person.

That's just my personal feelings on why those games are appealing.

I'd also suggest:

Cosmic Ark for the 2600- Could be the first 'twitch' shooter? Asteroids coming in from all sides and your slamming the joystick around like a gerbil on crack holding a joystick.

M.U.L.E.- for many systems. Really, in the grand scheme of things this game should not only be in the video game hall of fame, it really should be inducted in the first class. Unfairly unrecognized and uncredited. I've heard that the C64 version is the best.

[Frogacuda]

Originally posted by 88mph
Reading them constantly does.

I was questioning your understanding. Bad analogy. Whatever.

But like I said, I don't think arcade games have ever grown terribly complex to the point where they offer something different than the classics do. You play Robotron for frantic action and a test of skill the same way you play Raiden Fighters Jet for the same reason. I said what I did because I think these are the main reasons anyone plays arcade games on a regular basis (and thus "understands" them). That's what I meant. I'm not really trying to fight about your arcade fandom, obviously.

[Josh]

Gotcha. When I think Atari, Colecovision and Intelivision I think of the shitty shark game that I played back in the day, the horrible versions of Pac Man, fucking ET. I can't remember anything good... thats why I can't understand going back that far to play games.

Honest question: What has been done on Atari that hasn't been redone better on another more current system, or in the arcades?

[Frogacuda]

Originally posted by 88mph
Honest question: What has been done on Atari that hasn't been redone better on another more current system, or in the arcades?

Honestly, most of the good stuff were arcade ports, and for that reason I don't dust off the atari very often, but what you said was "I don't know why anyone would play a game this old" not "I don't know why anyone would play an inferior version of a game they could play elsewhere".

That's why I chose the vectrex. It really did have an arcade feel to it, and it holds up pretty damned well in that regard, with some solid exclusives to boot.

[Josh]

I was refering to your "Time Pilot to Centipede" analogy.

I still see no point of playing "Cavity Commander" or whatever the fuck that tooth shooter game was called when I could be playing Batsugun instead.

[elBeardoAlwaysWins]

I liked the 5200 despite the controllers. Arcade perfect port of Super Pac Man. =)