Old systems vs. current systems... Your thoughts

NickD · Dec 18, 2001

I don't know about you guys but I feel like the older systems (NG of course, SNES, Genesis) had way more to offer to gamers than the newer GC or XBox and PS2. I mean, when I list my favorite games, there's not a single one that comes from a new system (ok, the GC & XBox just came out but still, Castlevania IV for the SNES was my favorite game the day I played it and it came out in the earliest days of the SNES era!).

What do you think, do hardware power offers more? Take NHL 2001 or 2002 and compare it against the fun you had playing NHLPA 93 or 94 on the Genesis against your friends and you'll see what I mean... Seems like today's game have nothing more than good graphics to offer. The fun factor isn't there anymore...

Solid Snake · Dec 18, 2001

No offense, but the Nes was much better than the Snes or the Genesis!

DIY · Dec 18, 2001

Oh yeah Genesis ruled. This whole which system is better shit reminds me of a story.

This guy came into where I work(a toy/videogame store) and asked me "which console is the best." I fuckin hate people who ask me this, damn conformist motherfuckers need assurance that there system is the best and since I'm not allowed to say DC anymore(long story) I say "Genesis 3." And bam, the guy just says "oh" and leaves. Best laugh I had all night.

NickD · Dec 18, 2001

Originally posted by DIY:
Oh yeah Genesis ruled. This whole which system is better shit reminds me of a story.

Please don't take this thread as a what's the better system because it's not. I was just posting my feelings that I have more fun playing older games than every new games that come out today.

And yes, the NES was great too <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Wolf · Dec 19, 2001

I find that today's games are just as enjoyable, but far more complicated than those of yesteryear. The one exception would have to be games made by nintendo.

vincewy · Dec 19, 2001

16-bit era is the golden age of gaming, this includes TurboGrafx (PC-Engine), Neo-Geo, Genesis, Super NES. In no other time would you find 2D hand drawn animation in details, especially Neo-Geo. BTW, Nick, if you like castlevania, you should try Dracula X on PC-Engine, this game will play on US Duo.

Kinopio · Dec 19, 2001

I think we are seeing fewer A+ titles these days because games take longer to make. On systems like the N64, PS2 and saturn, companies needed to spend years on big games. Even with the developer-friendly dreamcast, a game like shenmue still took years and millions to develop. Fewer titles from the good developers = fewer good titles

Takumaji · Dec 19, 2001

I really thought the Saturn would be my last console, but later on I bought a Dreamcast (which, of course, will be my last console... <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> )

I think NickD's impression that the older consoles had much more to offer stems from the fact that the Genesis for example was a whole new world compared to its predecessor (SMS).

The jump from 8 to 16 bit was a remarkable turning point in gaming history, as it gave developers much more power. The next big thing was 2D to 3D, but after that (which was in the early/mid 90s), the gfx and fx IMO got more intense and hi-res, but not really better or revolutionary, with a few exceptions of course.

Take PC games and the Xbox. The Xbox is really a powerhouse, but if you have a fast PC with a modern Nvidia-based gfx card, you won't see many differences, at least not yet.

If you are on a very high technical level, it's hard to push it any further.

Finally, I think that the domination of the arcade in the 80s and early 90s gave us console games with an arcade feel, challenging, easy-to-learn, but sometimes very deep and lasting, which still keeps ppl coming back, unlike most of the modern RPGs'n stuff, which gets played - completed - shelved.

Argentina94 · Dec 19, 2002

Originally posted by NickD:
I don't know about you guys but I feel like the older systems (NG of course, SNES, Genesis) had way more to offer to gamers than the newer GC or XBox and PS2. I mean, when I list my favorite games, there's not a single one that comes from a new system (ok, the GC & XBox just came out but still, Castlevania IV for the SNES was my favorite game the day I played it and it came out in the earliest days of the SNES era!).

What do you think, do hardware power offers more? Take NHL 2001 or 2002 and compare it against the fun you had playing NHLPA 93 or 94 on the Genesis against your friends and you'll see what I mean... Seems like today's game have nothing more than good graphics to offer. The fun factor isn't there anymore...<hr></blockquote>

I had to dig this deep to find someone ELSE that loved NHL '94 on the Genesis. <img src="graemlins/drool.gif" border="0" alt="[Drool]" />

But I just love opening up old wounds, I guess.

Baseley09 · Dec 19, 2002

The fact that i was looking at Saturn , Neo Geo and PC Engine for my xmas presents this year says a lot.

I opted, and just ordered an action replay/4mb/import converter and Dracula X for my Saturn.

I did consider xbox.....but seeing as Panzer Draggon Orta seems to be the only game i cant get for my GC or PS2, i didnt bother.

Magnaflux · Dec 19, 2002

Some say the golden age was '78-'84, some late '80s to mid '90s some say we are approaching it. I guess it's all relative. For me, the 16-bitters won my heart.

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Magnaflux ]

FeelGood · Dec 19, 2002

Well, kids today will see it like this:

The NES, SNES, and Genesis were junk.
The PSX and N64 were okay, but now it's about the PS2, XBox and Gamecube. That's where the best "gameplay" is.

You know, in reality, gameplay back on the 8 bit machines and 16 bit machines wasn't all we're cracking it up to be.

Remember Pitfall on the 2600? That game played like shit.

Batman on the NES = Shit.

Mortal Kombat on the SNES or Genesis = Shit.

Street Fighter 2 CE = Shit.

But we had other people playing them with us, and so it was so much better for us. Too bad video games just aren't as cool when you're old, eh. If you could get the guy across the street to come over, despite the fact you're both in your late teens/early twenties, and play some monkey ball, I guess you'd have a different slant.

After playing 2 player GGX with EvilMike over the weekend, I'm thinking, yeah, the DC is the shit. And well, that's because I can enjoy it with other people, and that's what made the older systems so cool - I could enjoy them with other people. It's not easy to enjoy final fantasy with other people, and well, online gaming is so faceless you might as well be playing the CPU. I personally like playing with people in the room, you know, if I can.

Such is my feeling on the subject.

steveold · Dec 19, 2002

I know I am not the only one, but
while beautiful eye candy graphics can
be totally awesome, I usually prefer
simple graphics. I like to concentrate
on gameplay and the charm of a game than
its graphics.

Plus, simple graphics has a certain charm
to it. It reminds me of the 16-bit days.
Some genres, mind-blowing graphics is
perfectly fine, but other genres I prefer
the graphics to stay simple and "good enough."

Loopz · Dec 19, 2002

I personally think this generation of consoles (PS2, GC, XB) is better than the last (PSX, N64, DC) overall solely for the same reason I liked 16-bit better than 8-bit. It's all the same gameplay concepts, only with the adequate horsepower to make those ideas really fly. FPS, sports, racing/flying sims have all improved greatly from the additional power. There also seems to be a much bigger emphasis on reborn old-school properties this time around (Contra, Maximo, Shinobi, Rygar, Metroid) which has resulted in some really good new games.

16-bit remains my personal golden era though. Arcade stuff and the Neo are my true passion.

SPINMASTER X · Dec 19, 2002

I liked the older systems better.

The older companies each had a mascot to with their console so it kinda made the console have a "soul" in a way as if that mascot was apart of the console. Nowadays mario is all we have left. Xbox and PS2 have no mascot and Sega is now 3rd party.

I still like the new consoles though. I'd kill somebody if the even looked at my PS2s or Gamecube the wrong way.

Magician · Dec 19, 2002

I find myself playing more old school stuff than anything else. I've sold my PS2 and games because of a general disdain for the system itself and a lack of excitement for its future releases. The GC is very close behind and may quite possibly get the axe after Zelda. And I'm now down to having only one game (Steel Battalion) for the XBOX.

Old school = rules
New age = drools

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Shadowland ]

Plisken · Dec 19, 2002

The 16-bit era is the holy grail of gaming. everything just seemed to have much more 'effort' put into it. when i play a game like Streets Of Rage 2, Shinobi 3, Sonic the Hedgehog, Final Fight, Metal Slug, Fatal Fury Special, Earthworm Jim, Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure et al, the quality seams from every pore - Music, Animation, Presentation, and Gameplay. Games weren't bogged down with long, tiring cut-scenes, confusing and intricate control methods, and didn't need some big chested babe or breast physics to get it to sell :rolleyes:

td741 · Dec 19, 2002

Hmm... I liked the A2600, but the one thing that kind of annoyed me was that the games never really had an ending. I would play a game to death, go further in the hopes that I'll see some sort of ending screen.

I have found memories of playing games on the Vic-20, but I did write some of them myself.

Same with my TRS-80 CoCo3.

The C=64 was okay, but I think at that point I became more "passive". And didn't really play games that much.

Eventually I picked up a Sega Master System. I wanted to try something different then my friend's NES. I had fun with some of its games.

I think I really got more into games with 16-bit systems (Amiga, SNES, Genesis, Neo and mostly PCEngine [well, pseudo-16 bit if you'd like]) I was more into arcades then as well.

But I also think we had lowered expectations then.

A lot of games had either crappy graphics, sounds or controls, but I still like them to this day.

There are great games out there for all of the generations and all consoles. One problem is we're really no longer experiencing the awe of some spectacular "quantum leap" since a "gaming pc" could easily match what most consoles dish out.

Mike Shagohod · Dec 19, 2002

Up until recently I was simply PRO 2D Exclusive, now I realize I need a diet of both 2D and 3D. I still play my Neo:Geo, Mega Drive, PCE DUO and MAS Supernova over my XBOX... but some games like my recent fave "Max Payne" just could not be done correctly in 2D... one game company tried (Razorsoft) with the game Techno Cop for MegaDrive/Genesis. The game sucked balls, but having said that I still think Super Shinobi and Shadow Dancer wipe the floor with the PS2 "Hotsuma" Shinobi any day of the week. No the oldies can't compare graphically, but I dunno, I just didn't get into it the way I do the originals. Thus I think it's really a matter of what the gamer in question is looking for. When you want to be total immersed in a world not your own, you go 3D and have to deal with sometimes (Dead to Rights) ridiculous control schemes for what should be a straight forward experience, or you immerse yourself with 2D and let the button twitching begin and imagine the rest for yourself.

Both have their merits, but at the end of the day I'd have to say I still want my 16-Bitters and Sega Saturn even over the DC. Then again, most of us are prolly just nostalgic being as that we as gamers got to evolve with the differing generations of gaming. Think about it, today's kids who began with PSone and N64 will be buying the PS5 and XBOX III and saying... "Man now that we have a Holo-Dec in our room, it's cool and all but it ain't like the good ole' days of PSone, PS2, Game Cube, DC and XBOX."

Thus the cycle will continue until nothing is left, games are outlawed, you can be arrested for thinking as an individual and sex is something you may do twice a year as mandated by some World Government Regime.

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Stormrider_2977 ]

gt6plus · Dec 19, 2002

You know when I was younger in the 8-16bit days I always craved better graphics and more powerful games. Like the 8meg Genesis games blew my mind! Mode 7 is still the coolest thing to me! And playing with my buddies was cool. I was never into arcades.
Now that we have reached the 128bit systems I am not happy with better graphics and not so linear games and such... A few exceptions of course(shenmue, etc..). I also find 3D games for extended periods hurt my eyes(results may vary).
So now I am back to 8-16bit games looking for something. My childhood? Or just getting shit I never could when I was younger. Whatever it is, it is fun, but I am getting exhausted.

Argentina94 · Dec 19, 2002

Originally posted by Loopz:
I personally think this generation of consoles (PS2, GC, XB) is better than the last (PSX, N64, DC) overall solely for the same reason I liked 16-bit better than 8-bit. It's all the same gameplay concepts, only with the adequate horsepower to make those ideas really fly. FPS, sports, racing/flying sims have all improved greatly from the additional power. There also seems to be a much bigger emphasis on reborn old-school properties this time around (Contra, Maximo, Shinobi, Rygar, Metroid) which has resulted in some really good new games.

16-bit remains my personal golden era though. Arcade stuff and the Neo are my true passion.<hr></blockquote>

This is a perfect illustration of why most consider 16-bit to be the golden age of 2D gaming and generally the best, regardless of Capcom's current arcade hardware.

I was never a fan of the 32-bit systems and most games are now virtually unplayable because the graphics truly affect the gameplay experience. Only a few examples are still classics. The current systems can now do to polygons what the 16-bit systems were able to do to sprites: Do them right.

Many 8-bit games which we're once classics have suffered terribly do to the still primitive hardware of the time. 16-bit had enough horsepower to do the games justice and keep them classics AND playable for years to come.

The current consoles will have a much longer lasting appeal than 32-bit because the graphics may be eclipsed with new hardware, but will remain beautiful and playable well past their successors' lifespans.

evil wasabi · Dec 19, 2002

Genesis with all the add ons

the PS2 is that system's bitch.

neobuyer · Dec 19, 2002

Today's 3D console games all look like PC games now.

Gone are the days when home console system games were radically different than PC games.

Now the two are interchangeable.

PC games often now come out on the next gen consoles in near identical forms.

People that love all todays PS2, GCN and X-Box games are on a totally different plane than I am, and I know that. It's fine. Whatever.

But it's my strong opinion that all they're playing is next gen PC games and NOT next gen console games.

I feel that there really aren't any next gen console games- at least not in the spirit of the great games that made me love gaming in the first place.

Super Metroid- Yeah- the Gamecube Metroid in 3D? Uh, yeah, that one should never have left the fucking drawing board. Here's a radical idea-

METROID IS FUCKING SUPPOSED TO BE IN 2D

Yeah- it is.

So what were the Japanese- once my absolute heroes for their devotion to creative, fun gameplay and awesome hand-drawn visuals- thinking?

They were thinking sales.

Mario? Also, once again- should always be 2D.

But would anyone buy it?

No

So there you go-

2D is dead

I ain't happy about it

I can't stand PC games

And that's what todays consoles are

PCs you hook to your TV

And this time- not even the Japanese will save us from it.

Maury V. · Dec 19, 2002

16-bit is still fun. I still got my SNES with FF2/4, Madden 95, and Zelda 3. I keep all my systems, with my other collectibles, because they are going to be worth something later.

Maria · Dec 19, 2002

[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Maria ]

Old systems vs. current systems... Your thoughts

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