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[DunDunDunpachi]

A "classic" is whichever games are presently coming to mind, even games from current gen that you consider a "classic". I don't really have a strict definition of "classic" to offer you because my question is aimed a bit deeper.

The list of classics seem to change as time goes on. Early arcade games and pre-NES platforms frequently go unmentioned and forgotten. Increasingly, classics on the NES that I would've always seen in a person's Top 50 list (like Mega Man 2 or Super Mario Bros 3) go unmentioned. We live in a time when the earliest gaming generations are only loved by the middle-aged adults who lived through them, while the younger generations completely ignore the content. When will 90s PC games finally be forgotten? When will early 8-bit classics be omitted from Top 100 lists in favor of their indie successors?

This phenomenon isn't unique to videogames. All mediums undergo transitions from generation to generation where old content is lost and we only have sterling examples from the era that remain. We may have Ovid and Homer, but there are countless more writings from countless more authors from antiquity that are permanently lost to time. A great deal of vinyl recordings are permanently lost. There are movies and TV shows for which there are no longer a master copy, nor a consumer version. The original cut of Star Wars isn't available anywhere except on old formats. The depressing reality is that even some of our most favorite games will not survive the slow march of time.

Which classics do you think will be forgotten, or do you believe that the best videogames will never truly go out of style?

 

[Nymphae]

Of course classics will eventually go out of style, tons already have haven't they? Anyone seriously playing Adventure today? Pong? Pac Man? Original Ninja Gaiden? You will always have enthusiasts digging deep and playing older things, but you say "going out of style", and I take that to mean like would the general population of gamers be interested in paying for it and playing it for more than a few minutes. Older retro classics are dead as a doorknob with most people these days I'd imagine. But I think being forgotten and being in fashion are two different things, classics will never really be forgotten by enthusiasts, even as the mainstream tastes evolve.

 

[brap]

Seems like nobody really talks about NES these days. Back in the day that's all people on the internet were talking about. Now we've moved on. Nobody will stop talking about nintendo games though.

 

[sublimit]

It's more likely for a lot of modern games to go out of style. Especially games that follow trends.

 

[SuperGooey]

I grew up with the NES, but I find it a hard generation to go back to since cheap level design is so rampant, like they were designed like arcade games to take your quarters. Megaman 2, to me, doesn't hold up with its cheap instadeath traps (like the beams in Quickman stage), or just not conveying what your supposed to do (you can easily fuck up the Orb boss room and have to kill yourself to restart).

Meanwhile, I can easily go back to SNES classics, even the difficult ones. I feel like the design philosophy by then was less about "getting your quarters", and more about compelling level design. Of course, I'm making a big generalization here, but comparing Megaman 2 to Megaman X, Metroid to Super Metroid, Zelda 1/2 to ALttP, CastleVania to Super Castlevania 4, etc. leads me to think this way. Then there is something like Donkey Kong Country that is pretty basic in terms of level design, but the movement and flow of DK and Diddy is so satisfying that the basic level design acts more like a playground for you to string jumps and rolls together. It's pure fun with no BS. I don't think there are any games from the NES era feel so good.

I suppose, in my opinion, SNES pretty much made the NES obsolete. Now that indie game developers have come in, making 8bit games that build on the foundation of NES games with game design lessons learned over the last 30 years, we are seeing a lot of NES games get obsolete all over again. Like, Shovel Knight, for instance, takes several major NES classics, mashes them together, builds on them with a more modern take (like the death system) and arguably outdoes them all.

So, yeah, it's hard to go back to most NES games with everything after that generation being an option. I think the same can be said about PS1/N64 era of early 3d games (though, there are exceptions).

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

classics will never really be forgotten by enthusiasts, even as the mainstream tastes evolve.

Well that's kind of what I'm wondering. As the gaming population ages (and eventually dies), will generations born after the original release of the titles care about them? We are still several decades before the generations that experienced games in their heyday die off, but after that who knows what games will survive without the nostalgic connection.

 

[Gargus]

Eventually they will. Everything from movies to music to books the old original truly classic stuff always fades away until it's only for niche people.

Even radio stations that are classic music around me now only plays 90s and a bit of 80s. When I was a kid you heard stuff from the 50s and 60s on them. Or now classic movies from the 30s and 40s are extremely niche now and not paid much attention to by the majority.

Gaming is still somewhat new as a mainstream medium so its classics are still classics. Won't be much longer till a generation dies and what we considered classics will be replaced with minecraft and so on.

 

[rofif]

The more new games come out, the more i want to return to my classics

 

[Birdo]

There will always be a retro market.

It's not just for older people either. A lot of adventurous young people like to explore older classics too. They get passed down the generations.

 

[-Arcadia-]

I’m okay with the things I loved being relegated to history.

It’s unhealthy for a culture to remain so fixated on nostalgia and memories, and it seems like all we’ve seen lately.

If people are talking about new classics and new things, that’s good. That’s growth. Even if it stings a little for me to see the games of my childhood becoming less and less talked about, I’ll take that.

 

[alabtrosMyster]

As long as there are gamers there will be classics.

 

[ThatStupidLion]

The classics only get stronger the longer they hold up.

Played LoZ and SMW recenetly and they are still fantastic for being that old.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

People are fond of what they remember when they were younger so I don't think classics will go out of style. I don't think there's anything unhealthy about that if you're still finding enjoyment out of it. Personally, I don't see most new releases becoming classics with the way they're designed to be better six months to a year or two down the line and with a built-in store to gouge more money from the player. There are exceptions, games that can be considered genuine masterpieces, but I feel they're few and far between.

There are a great number of classics from the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 generation though. BioShock, Mass Effect, Dark Souls, Batman: Arkham Asylum. Does anyone even remember a good Batman game before Rocksteady came along?

 

[alabtrosMyster]

As long as there are gamers there will be classics.

It’s unhealthy for a culture to remain so fixated on nostalgia and memories, and it seems like all we’ve seen lately.

There are classics, they represent but a very small portion of the back catalog.

Anyways, old games are in my opinion objectively better, like all old things.

 

[-Arcadia-]

These are classics

They always are. It always starts with a classic that people can’t stop obsessing over, merchandising, or remaking, usually to the detriment of that classic, the culture at large, and new things.

My point is that it’s okay to let things go, accept the passage of time’s effects on our favorites, and just let things be cherished memories.

 

[ULTROS!]

The top classics that have made major impact like Pacman, Qbert, Super Mario, and even Galaga won't go out of style easily.

Games in the Atari though like Haunted House are barely playable and forgotten nowadays.

 

[molasar]

Some classics were never replaced by modern versions. Developers even struggle and fail to make something close to them with modern technology.

 

[alabtrosMyster]

My point is that it’s okay to let things go, accept the passage of time’s effects on our favorites, and just let things be cherished memories.

What if you really want to play that old game? why would it be worse than that old song, or that old movie?

I may be wrong, but you sound like you only ever play games released in the last few months, everything else deemed "living in the past" is a strange take on the whole thing.

There is also the idea that to master something you need tons of time spent on it, to learn the quirks, different ways to play through, etc. that doesn't happen if you treat all games like one night stands (but it does work if the medium is no more than a consumer product, which it can be considered as, but many games have depth and are worth revisiting).

The top classics that have made major impact like Pacman, Qbert, Super Mario, and even Galaga won't go out of style easily.

My kids learned video games on Pac Man and Super Mario Bros.

I have no intention of raising Fortnite addicts.

 

[ULTROS!]

My kids learned video games on Pac Man and Super Mario Bros.

I have no intention of raising Fortnite addicts.

Fortnight will disappear into obscurity but that won't be for a long time. Since it's an online game, the fad will wear out just like WoW (still kinda big, but not as big nowadays) or Club Penguin (ded). Such is the fate of online games.

 

[Dthomp]

Well that's kind of what I'm wondering. As the gaming population ages (and eventually dies), will generations born after the original release of the titles care about them? We are still several decades before the generations that experienced games in their heyday die off, but after that who knows what games will survive without the nostalgic connection.

If anything, they will always carry on through the speed run community. Old games are built for this. Stuff from today 20 years down the road? Who knows. I feel classics are that for a reason

 

[sublimit]

Well that's kind of what I'm wondering. As the gaming population ages (and eventually dies), will generations born after the original release of the titles care about them? We are still several decades before the generations that experienced games in their heyday die off, but after that who knows what games will survive without the nostalgic connection.

I like to believe that not everything is connected to nostalgia-only just like not every movie or other form of art are being appreciated only due to nostalgia. Those who can look beyond trivial aspects like graphics (not art) and the technical limitations of past generations will always appreciate those games that had fun and deep gameplay.

The question is with so many modern games relying heavily on online how many of those games will still exist in 10-20 years from now?And if they do will they be the same games as when they were released?

 

[EightBit Man]

I've been asking myself this question over the years. I think the appreciation of classics is already diminishing if you take the backlash of NES games released on Nintendo's online service into consideration; I've seen many people comment negatively to some of the greatest NES games of all-time, simply because they were considered "too old" or "were not known" (a mentality I abhor by the way). Retro gaming was already a niche thing, and it can only become smaller when our generation loses interest, dedication, and will to preserve. Yes, there are very young people interested and sometimes even preferring older titles over current ones, but these are a tiny minority.

 

[H4ze]

I will always die alone on a hill for my beloved PSX!!
But it's true, at somebody nobody will care for them anylonger.

 

[lock2k]

Of course classics will eventually go out of style, tons already have haven't they? Anyone seriously playing Adventure today? Pong? Pac Man? Original Ninja Gaiden? You will always have enthusiasts digging deep and playing older things, but you say "going out of style", and I take that to mean like would the general population of gamers be interested in paying for it and playing it for more than a few minutes. Older retro classics are dead as a doorknob with most people these days I'd imagine. But I think being forgotten and being in fashion are two different things, classics will never really be forgotten by enthusiasts, even as the mainstream tastes evolve.

I am always playing Pac Man. Even my daughter who is 5 is a fan of thw game.

 

[Woo-Fu]

They were never in style except for a relatively niche audience.

 

[Stiflers Mom]

I am 45 years old and started gaming with playing space invaders on am arcade machine in 1981. Most of these classics were nice for their time, but I cannot be bothered to play that old shit anymore.
On the other side all those newish open world games bore me to hell as well.
I feel the SNES plus early PC 3D games like Quake 1-3 was the perfect time for video games.

 

[lock2k]

I like to believe that not everything is connected to nostalgia-only just like not every movie or other form of art are being appreciated only due to nostalgia. Those who can look beyond trivial aspects like graphics (not art) and the technical limitations of past generations will always appreciate those games that had fun and deep gameplay.

The question is with so many modern games relying heavily on online how many of those games will still exist in 10-20 years from now?And if they do will they be the same games as when they were released?

I was playing Bonk III this week and I have absolutely no nostalgia or ties to the Turbo Grafx 16.

I had a blast because the game is very interesting and it has some deep gameplay mechanics for its time.

Good gameplay will always be remembered, no matter what.

 

[Nymphae]

I am always playing Pac Man. Even my daughter who is 5 is a fan of thw game.

Like literally OG pac-man or some newer variant? I don't mind a little CE.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I think certain genres -- like RPGs and 2D platformers -- will have a better chance of being remembered and therefore more of the games will be cherished as classics.

Other less popular genres -- like fighting games and shmups -- are going to lose a lot of their classics to attrition. I mean, I can understand a kid sampling one or two of the Samurai Shodown games, but who is really going to keep the torch alive for Waku Waku 7 or Darkstalkers when the companies themselves no longer care about them? Gradius and R-Type will endure, but who is gonna play The Guardian Legends or Salamander or X-Multiply in 50 years?

I guess it'll get dug up again, in the same way that old movies are all finding their (revived) niches. It's easier than ever to access many of those old films now than before, so perhaps the digital nature of videogames will help preserve them for future fans, too. Still, it seems weird that some future kid would be gleefully trying out Circus Charlie or Congo Bongo?

 

[lock2k]

Like literally OG pac-man or some newer variant? I don't mind a little CE.

Literally OG (and Miss Pac-Man). I also play CE though, love both of them

 

[Starlight Lotice]

Given no one gives a crap about SEGAs classic games other than Sonic. Yeah, Classics will end up disappearing, replaced by other classics.

 

[johntown]

Classics will die when the ppl who grew up with them die as well. So as I see it they will still be with us for some time.

Some of them will get a fresh coat of paint and live on.......like Super Mario Maker 2.

 

[ZywyPL]

Eventually, yes. Nowadays kids, and by "kids" I mean even as low as 5yo, don't know what the hell Mario or Tertris is, let alone something like Pac Man or Pong, those are pretty much dead and live only in our old-ass enthusiasts minds, but even we will eventually get old and die, and once that happens so are gone the classics. People nowadays grow up with advanced 3D graphics, no one on earth will ever want to go bac to 640x480 2D sprites unless forced to by a gun.

 

[molasar]

Eventually, yes. Nowadays kids, and by "kids" I mean even as low as 5yo, don't know what the hell Mario or Tertris is, let alone something like Pac Man or Pong, those are pretty much dead and live only in our old-ass enthusiasts minds, but even we will eventually get old and die, and once that happens so are gone the classics. People nowadays grow up with advanced 3D graphics, no one on earth will ever want to go bac to 640x480 2D sprites unless forced to by a gun.

New retro style games can easily make people interested in the classics. 3D graphics just do not replace 2D ones especially pixel or sprite art unless it works better.
Some examples:
Shakedown: Hawaii
Hotline Miami 1 + 2
Xeno Crisis
Stealth Inc. 1 + 2
Door Kickers: Action Squad
Katana Zero
Blasphemous
Butcher
or
upcoming Huntdown, Carrion, Bushiden, Okinawa Rush, Lunark.

 

[Vampire On Titus]

Yeah they'll go out of style eventually. Although that process has been slowed somewhat by the popularity of youtube gaming reviewers who play old games and (tend to) have young audiences. So at the very least there's a certain subset of nerdy younger kids who get turned on to some of the older games and will pursue them through emulation.

It really depends on what you mean, exactly. For enthusiasts of any medium there will always be a desire to take the long view and absorb older material. For casual gamers, it's pretty much already over with. Your average 12~14 year old COD player doesn't give a fuck about playing Earthbound or System Shock.

 

[molasar]

BTW, I am still waiting for someone to steal and leak SNES' version of Killer Instinct 2 from MS/Rare's vault.

 

[petran79]

Many old computer games of the 80s because even back then they were made for an older audience and were difficult. It is not like the arcade or console games that can be played by younger ages. Add also the difficulty in emulating the system and the rudimentary graphics, since games were mostly text based.
Those games are only for specialists

 

[MiyazakiHatesKojima]

The older I get, the more enthusiastic I become as a gamer. In other words, older classics from beyond the PS1 era become more intruiging to me.

I'm still exploring the PS1, PS2, and PS3 eras and have the PS4 catalogue to look forward too. Maybe a remastered console of past generational platforms would be a great entry point for me.

 

[Yumi]

I dont think so. Anything nes and before is pretty rough. My 9 year old daughter in law enjoys gaming a little bit abd her favorite Mario to play is Mario World on the SNES. So there are always kids to consider.

Another group of kids her age were talking about Dead Cells and i started talking to them. The conversation quickly merged into minecraft and it was clear its their favorite game.

So i guess graphics dont matter as much to kids ive found.

 

[Mihos]

They will die just like classic movies, music, and books did.

As in they will be around in various forms forever including remakes and channels dedicated to them

 

[brian0057]

Considering that almost every game released on this day and age has yet to surpass their ancestors, I'd say no.
The classics are still relevant.
Just look at Arkane who are hellbent on being the dolar store version of Looking Glass.

 

[cartman414]

I grew up with the NES, but I find it a hard generation to go back to since cheap level design is so rampant, like they were designed like arcade games to take your quarters. Megaman 2, to me, doesn't hold up with its cheap instadeath traps (like the beams in Quickman stage), or just not conveying what your supposed to do (you can easily fuck up the Orb boss room and have to kill yourself to restart).

Meanwhile, I can easily go back to SNES classics, even the difficult ones. I feel like the design philosophy by then was less about "getting your quarters", and more about compelling level design. Of course, I'm making a big generalization here, but comparing Megaman 2 to Megaman X, Metroid to Super Metroid, Zelda 1/2 to ALttP, CastleVania to Super Castlevania 4, etc. leads me to think this way. Then there is something like Donkey Kong Country that is pretty basic in terms of level design, but the movement and flow of DK and Diddy is so satisfying that the basic level design acts more like a playground for you to string jumps and rolls together. It's pure fun with no BS. I don't think there are any games from the NES era feel so good.

I suppose, in my opinion, SNES pretty much made the NES obsolete. Now that indie game developers have come in, making 8bit games that build on the foundation of NES games with game design lessons learned over the last 30 years, we are seeing a lot of NES games get obsolete all over again. Like, Shovel Knight, for instance, takes several major NES classics, mashes them together, builds on them with a more modern take (like the death system) and arguably outdoes them all.

So, yeah, it's hard to go back to most NES games with everything after that generation being an option. I think the same can be said about PS1/N64 era of early 3d games (though, there are exceptions).

I wouldn't count SCV4 as an example. It had its own share of cheapness, albeit oddly offset with the 8-way whip. At least Mega Man 2 had far superior pacing.

Zelda 2 never had an equivalent successor sadly. What could have been...