What Are Retro Games
Retro Games are games from yesteryear, played by people today. These classic games, whilst not being upto as much graphically as games today, still offer hours of fun and challenges.
This article is produced in association with Retro Garden - a blog on Retro Gaming.
How To Play Retro Games
The "Real Deal"
This is what'll be talked about in this article. Buying the games and playing them on the systems they were meant to be played on. This is probably the best, as you get the most authentic experience, and also the most valuable. Plus who wouldn't want a full size arcade machine in their living room?
Unfortunately, you will have to spend the most, have a decent sized room to make up your collection, and also get all the side effects of "authentic play".
On Modern Systems
With all three of the current consoles having "paid download of games", you can amass quite a good collection from home, on one box, with no loading issues or problems, sometimes with enhancements.
However, the games are usually a lot more expensive (you can get an Megadrive with 5 games for the price of 3 megadrive games on the Virtual Console), and some of the games don't suit the modern controllers, which are often based on analogue, rather than digital, input.
Emulation
Finally, the pornography of retro games. Emulation means downloading software and games (usually in "roms") and playing the game on the PC.
Whilst free, and the only realistic way to play Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum games, as well as a lot of arcade games, it is illegal. Particularly if you play the newer stuff and the stuff still being sold under copyright (I'm thinking things on the Wii's Virtual Console, and X-Box Live Arcade) you're more likely to be hit by a lawsuit from the copyright owner.
The other thing is that the experience is usually pretty rubbish, half these games aren't designed to be played with a keyboard and mouse. Plus there are certain games that can't be emulated (games with a lot of movie content, for example).
How To Start Your Retro Collection
Start Small
Most of us have consoles tucked up in the attic somewhere, start with that. After all, if you buy a huge arcade machine for £1,000, and decide you don't like it, then what? You have to sell it again. If you start small, buying a few new games here and there, then you can build your collection from there.
Check eBay
Ebay is the premier source of old games nowadays, so start there. Do some research on a console or computer you liked as a kid. What games did you like? Enquire on forums for similar games. If you haven't already got the console (see start small), you can pick one up dirt cheap usually with a few games.
Work Your Way Up
Like this whole retro gaming mullarkey? Right, lets continue now with going a bit further up. Fancy a Sega Saturn or Nomad? Good, get one (providing you can afford it), you should be adept at buying games now, so you know what to look for. Maybe even, if you have room and the funds, buy an arcade or fruit machine? A mate of mine bought a fruit machine and played it to death, and a vertical arcade machine can be picked up for less than £200 nowadays with a half decent game, and in decent condition. Just make sure you do your research first!
Don't Hoard
Got games sitting around and don't play on them? Well get rid of them. You could be using that money to re-invest. Of course, I should practice what I preach as I don't do this :)
Passion, Not Profit
If you think owning antiquated gmaes will make you a millionaire, think again. Most games are under a fiver, with rarer games fetching at most £100. Arcade machines range from £10 for a board to £10000 for a full Space Invaders original cabinet in mint condition. Even so, you will probably pay more than you get for them, so chances of these games making you a millionaire are slim to nil. Just do it for the love, rather than for the money :)
Classic Games
Amiga
Cannon Fodder
Lemmings
Arcade Games
Rainbow Islands
World Heroes
Wonder Boy
Commodore 64
The Detective Game
Nebulus
Uridium
Dreamcast
Chu Chu Rocket
Nintendo 64
F Zero X
Sega Megadrive
Dynamite Headdy
Sega Saturn
Nights: Into Dreams
Super Nintendo
Super Metroid
Super Mario Kart
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DragonAsh
Good work on the lens, I love the old classics and have made my own lens for them, check it out Posted September 18, 2008 |
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stevearun
I came across this lens bit late. It's useful stuff, I rated it and adding the same in my lensroll. Posted June 25, 2008 |
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sportsman
Ahh memories some of the old games are the best they may have been basic by todays standards but hihly enjoyable all the same great resources here 5* from me. Posted June 07, 2008 |
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Temi-Odurinde
I knew about this lens/retrogarden when you first got a contest going about the logo. Its nice to see the logo in use :) Posted March 12, 2008 |
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Classicvideogamesplus
Saw you visited my lens. I agree with you that Sonic is way faster than Mario. Got to love the authentic classics. Nothing can beat the sentimental feeling of putting a NES, SNES, or sega genesis cartridge in and then blowing, reinserting, and hoping you don't bump the system while playing so it doesn't freeze on you:) Rated you 5 stars, keep up the good work. Posted March 03, 2008 |
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