a re-appreciation of the 16-bit era
This may be in some way related to my hasty updating of the PSP's firmware (and assoicated lock out of the emu scene), a general tiring of the current generation's generic offerings; but the 16-bit area of gaming suddenly looks all the more appealing. Coupled with the availability of a number of stable and easy to operate emulator options (found on the PSP, ROM-Nation, MAME and many others), it looks like this will be continuing.
But this musing makes us ponder the lack of history that the videogame scene inherently has built into it. Whether by accident or design, consoles have been designed in the past to be become obsoelent and as such, many succeeding systems from the same manufacturers are often in no way compatible (can't really count the 360; however at least Nintendo are trying to balance this with the Revolution).
The message to all console designers should be to avoid being too quick to jettison the past. As gaming trends are showing that less and less gamers are finishing (let alone getting 50% through) many titles, this should be recognised as worrying sign - especially as many simple intuitive games can be had for (next to) nothing through the emulation scene - a prospect that may very will be inflated when many come to realise the asking price of the next-gen titles.
At least 5-button combos and telephone directory sized instructions aren't required here. For now Darius Gaiden will be keeping the thumbs primed...
But this musing makes us ponder the lack of history that the videogame scene inherently has built into it. Whether by accident or design, consoles have been designed in the past to be become obsoelent and as such, many succeeding systems from the same manufacturers are often in no way compatible (can't really count the 360; however at least Nintendo are trying to balance this with the Revolution).
The message to all console designers should be to avoid being too quick to jettison the past. As gaming trends are showing that less and less gamers are finishing (let alone getting 50% through) many titles, this should be recognised as worrying sign - especially as many simple intuitive games can be had for (next to) nothing through the emulation scene - a prospect that may very will be inflated when many come to realise the asking price of the next-gen titles.
At least 5-button combos and telephone directory sized instructions aren't required here. For now Darius Gaiden will be keeping the thumbs primed...
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 10:29 pm.
