Kids these days will never understand it.
Fortunately with the growing Indie game industry and the competitive Steam market place, new and original concepts are being created by smaller teams which allow for investment in risky idea's rather than larger budget project which sick with "safer" formula's.
The following is a short list of games and consoles that personally resonated with me nostalgically.
Nintendo Entertainment System: Super Mario Bros 3
[Console]My first gaming console was the Nintendo Entertainment System I received in 1997. I still remember when my cousin gave me his old bulky 12 inch CRT, a miniature recycling bin full of games and the console with 2 controllers. Sorting through the bin I recall all the vividly detailed and coloured labels against the dull gray cartridge. Newer consoles these days are moving away from hard copies of video games and encouraging downloading straight to the console for better convenience and cost efficiency. Personally though I still miss blowing the dust out of my favourite game because It added to the tactile experience.
First Nintendo Entertainment System
[Game]
The bright yellow cartridge of a flying mustached raccoon man was what caught my attention to Super Mario Bros 3. I remember not knowing what to expect and being fascinated with all the colours and design. Back when the Internet was a new concept learning through trail and error was what made this game a true adventure. Before YouTube let's plays or game walkthroughs, players would beat levels based on skill and not advantage. Despite the 8 bit graphics the game was just challenging enough to keep the player driven and the rewards gave the player satisfaction in their accomplishments. The more and more I played it, the more secrets I learned and the deeper I became engrossed.
Super Mario Bros 3
A few of my fondest moments I recall the best include:
1. Discovering the tanooki suit and flying to the secret warp pipes.
2. Moving behind the scenery and bypassing enemies [Blew my mind]
3. The secret warp pipes behind level 2 that allow you to portal to other worlds.
As someone who owns a WII U I can say that the new Mario games available do capture the spirit of Mario Bros 3 and add new things to it. Kids growing up with the WII U as their first console will experience the adventure of Mario games and allow them to connect with older generations of Mario players.
Game Boy Pocket: Donkey Kong
The first portable gaming console I received was the original Game Boy Pocket. I remember the day my grandparents gave me a tiny grey box for my birthday and being excited to see what It was. I remember not knowing what it did, but recall seeing the Nintendo logo. Turning it on for the first time and hearing the start up sound blew my mind. Being able to play a game anywhere without all the wires and heavy equipment was ground breaking for me. Despite only being shades of grey, It was special to me and bring me memories of my grandparents.
Game Boy Pocket
Donkey Kong was the game that was included with the console. No matter where I was, I would always bring my Game Boy with me. When I was at school I would dodge springs, and when I was at home I would climb ladder's. Compared to sophisticated portable games such as Monster Hunter this game is primitive but, at the time it was revolutionary. Although I still have yet to beat Donkey Kong, It still ignites memories of my grandparents and childhood which makes me happy.
1994 Donkey Kong Commercial
PC: Counter Strike
[Console]2006 was a great year for PC's and technology was at it's peak. By today's standards though, a computer run by a hamster wheel would probably run faster. My first computer that had Internet was an old Dell desktop. It used to have a floppy disk and ran games at the same frames per second as a picture book (5 fps). I remember getting the Counter-Strike:Anthology from my cousin for my birthday and not knowing what to expect.
Dell Desktop
[Game]
Back in 2006 Counter-Strike: Condition Zero was huge phenomenon. The game was explosive in popularity and had an active community. This game specifically brings me nostalgia because it was the first game I played using the Internet. My cousins used to play in clans call DSK and would compete in ranked ladders. Watching them play with their teammates in Cal-I really expressed a genuine bond they had for each other. Pro's and enthusiasts would spend thousands of dollars on premium computer parts (liquid cooling) so that they could run the game at the highest quality (1000 frames per second). When I finally started playing, It was simply amazing. The teamwork, communication and reflexes needed to play this game were completely different from my NES. Today we have it's predecessor Counter Strike: Global Offensive and it's still an amazing game which added new elements while still keeping the spirit of the original alive. Overall playing Counter Strike back in the day was some of the earliest memories I've had using the Internet and reminds me of a age when I had more time on my hands.
Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Commercial
In conclusion gaming since the 90's has allowed me reflect on the progression technology and myself. While kids today complain about graphics or frames, what they really need is a perspective. Although people will always complain about image quality, what they really should consider is the experience and the memories that game creates. These games act as an archive of my youth and kids growing up now will no doubt defend their favourites when they get older and technology becomes more real.
What's your best gaming nostalgic memory?
-Slushi-
No comments:
Post a Comment