Classic Video Games
From LoveToKnow VideoGames
The Differences Between Now And Then
Video games have come a long way in the last 25 years. In fact, the video games of today bear little resemblance to their early predecessors. Modern computers, video game consoles and arcade machines are exponentially more powerful than earlier systems, allowing them to display sophisticated graphics, perform complicated processing and play previously unimaginable audio sequences. Many of the earliest games were visually little more than moving boxes and triangles. Today's games incorporate elaborate 3-D models and animations.
So, Why Are They Still Popular?
Surprisingly, despite the simplicity of the earliest games, many of them are still popular favorites. Some people hypothesize the gameplay in some of the classic video games was actually better than in more recent releases; clearly people weren't playing those early games for their graphics or audio quality. In fact, many of the early PC games were completely text-based.
The simplicity of the early games is also an attractive factor for some players; in an increasingly complex world, immersion in a straightforward game with a clear-cut goal is highly appealing. For others, the nostalgia factor may be a driving force; the games people play when they are young may always inspire fond memories.
Classics Made New
The popularity of classic video games has prompted some game publishers to release updated versions of some early video and arcade games. Some of these games have met with reasonable success in the marketplace, but often the concept that made the game work initially does not get translated well to the new version.
Namco has repurposed several of their chart-topping arcade licenses with their releases of Pac-Man and Frogger video games. Nintendo has been more successful with modernizing some of their classics; newer releases of the Mario, Donkey Kong and Zelda games have all been very successful as well as critically acclaimed.
Under The Radar
Classic games don't have to be decades old. Some classic games are freeware gems or just overlooked commercial games that feature unforgettable gameplay and amazing gaming experiences. Usually poor marketing (due to a lack of money or other factors), lets these games go largely unnoticed.
How To Play The Originals
Whether you are a historian or just a video game purist, it is possible to play most of the original video games today. Seek out arcades that stock a few of the perennial favorites; Centipede, Tempest, Galaga and Pac-Man all seem to be fairly easy to find. If you like one of them enough to own it, you can even find original arcade games for sale in the free classifieds and online; the vintage games category at eBay is a classic-rich resource as well.
However, if you prefer to play the classic video games at home, you may want to download an emulator. MAME, the multiple arcade machine emulator, allows you to play hundreds of classic games. The emulator is free, but please note that many of the pieces of software that work with MAME are distributed illegally and in violation of copyright law. Of course, if you own the original ROM of the game, you can play it on MAME without fear of any infringement.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 2,281 times. This page was last modified 20:46, 7 June 2006.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Email to friend
Follow ltk on twitter
