I hate Modern Consoles and Love '2600 *LONG*

[+remowilliams]

My "cutting edge entertainment" lately has been Lady Bug.

Well, I have to say - Lady Bug is awesome!

 

A bunch of the people I know just can't figure out why I'll play say Oblivion or Saints Row for hours on end, but still catch a game of Revenge of Shinobi, Beef Drop, HERO, MULE, etc. inbetween

[+atari2600land]

For me, let's just put it this way: I have 5 Gamecube games and 61 Atari 2600 games. But I also enjoy the DS, especially Mario Kart DS. And I'm totally jazzed about Yoshi's Island 2.

[rheffera]

As i said, the COST of these devices and games arnt worth it only for a handful of good games. ok, so thats a few ppl my age who are like this, like me, who play 2600 and a few of the new games..im guilty of playing civilisation 3 on pc, now thats a good game! But thats only 5 or so ppl ( if even that) in my age bracket so far who actually understand this.

So people dont agree that alot of sales out htere are simply because to fit in with friemds, the tremd or be cool?

[+atari2600land]

So people dont agree that alot of sales out htere are simply because to fit in with friemds, the tremd or be cool?

I bet people would buy the Wii if it didn't have such a dorky name. Of course they'd be missing out on such games as Super Paper Mario. Out of all the current-gen systems, I'll be getting a Wii when there's a price drop. I was looking at PSP games and I found not one I would want to play. So, to answer your question, I agree that people want to be cool, and in order to be cool, you must waste $500 on a PS3. Then, spend extra money on a game or 2 and a memory card. How are people going to afford this stuff?! Simply put, the Atari 2600 is not only one of the cheapest systems around, but also the system with the best games, this coming from a Nintendo fan-boy.

Edited October 3, 2006 by atari2600land

[panda_racer]

I'm 19 and I'm into all sorts of videogames. I love all 17 of my systems equally...except the game.com. I've always loved videogames, I was playing Dragon Warrior on my brother's NES before I could read. I wasn't introduced to the 2600 until I was 17 and it was love at first sight.

 

Then it became cool to love "old school nintendo." except spelled skool.

My Senior year at highschool I brought my 2600 in like 7 times, because I wanted everyone to learn that videogames weren't invented in 1985.

 

tangent- seriously, why does everyone call it old school nintendo? why not NES, or as I used to say, regular nintendo?

[jpfalcon2003]

I love my 2600 and 7800 games that I play on my modded 7800, but i love my Gamecube too. Mario Kart Double Dash is one of my favorites. I do play my Atari 7800 a little bit more though. I would love a system built to play 2600, 5200, and 7800 games even more.lol

[AtariLover!]

I'm 19 and I'm into all sorts of videogames. I love all 17 of my systems equally...except the game.com. I've always loved videogames, I was playing Dragon Warrior on my brother's NES before I could read. I wasn't introduced to the 2600 until I was 17 and it was love at first sight.

 

Then it became cool to love "old school nintendo." except spelled skool.

My Senior year at highschool I brought my 2600 in like 7 times, because I wanted everyone to learn that videogames weren't invented in 1985.

 

tangent- seriously, why does everyone call it old school nintendo? why not NES, or as I used to say, regular nintendo?

 

I used to call it "regular nintendo" when every-one asked me "super nintindo?"

[Godzilla]

Heck, I just bought a ton of xbox and ps2 and game cube games from my local eb for between $2 and $5 each (minus another 10%) most of them were $3 xbox games like medal of honor : front line, splinter cell, prince of persia and others. So, I don't really think the price is much of an issue NOW (tho it has been and is again with my 360,)

 

That being said, tho, I still much prefer the infinite challenge and replayability of my classic games (2600, inty, vectrex, 5200, amiga, etc.) and when the dust settles, considering that I own every console released in America, the Atari 2600 is still my honest (not nostalgic,) favorite game system.

 

It's heartening to know that at least some of today's generations may be smart enough to see past bump mapped pixels to the real core of the art of video game design, the plays the thing. Conversly, I also hope those older generations who dismiss this new fangled devil's hobby might throw off some of their ill-concieved misconceptions and embrace the modern interactive art of the video game. I feel this art is best represented by the sharp, clean, fast, colorful, symbolic and universal graphics & gameplay of the 2600. Isn't it nice to be able to pick up and play a game, without having to worry about language or region? :-)

 

2600 forever.

[kirin jensen]

Can't say I'm surprised. Great art - and I would say that the best 2600 games are great art - is often defined by its limitations and how you get around them.

 

The sentiment is certainly in line with the younger people I know.

[homerwannabee]

I'm young and love the atari too. I guess the atari's becoming more and more popular for younger people (like me!). Check out my signature!!!

Hmm, that's signature sounds a little familar for some reason

[II_DeLo_II]

In the end, it's all relative. 30 years from now, PS-II will be a joke.

 

I'm torn between every system that I own (6 of them). Looking at the two extreme sides from this point in time:

 

Atari Pros:

-Simple games

-Very easy to learn

-Games are very cheap to buy

-Nostalgia - brings back great memories and times when things were simplier

 

Atari Cons:

-Given our fast pace "get anything you want, NOW" world, games lose my attention very quickly

-Not exactly "cool"

-Unless they grew up with it, can't convince friends to come over and play it

-Multiplayer features/ games aren't exactly the best

-Maybe it's me, but those old controllers hurt my hands terribly

 

PS-II Pros:

-Latest technology

-Great multiplayer games (in person and network)

-Great graphics, game play, sounds, etc.

-Controller options are unlimited

-DVD player feature

 

PS-II cons:

-Console and games are expensive

-Controls are way to hard to comprehend without practice

-Games are so complex, I have to take a study course on them before I can even enjoy playing the game.

 

 

What's also funny is, I bought 6 used PS-II games for about $40, and since then I have only played one of them. The main reason is....well I just don't want to:

 

-Watch all that media crap before the game

-Learn the entire game

-Learn the controls

 

I just want a quick lesson and then get right into the game. I bought Madden '06 right after '07 came out (for a hefty price of $12 as opposed to $50 for '07!!) and I think I have played the thing 4 times. The controls are just too damn difficult. Maybe I'm just an old fogey (just turned 27) but I can't seem to keep my attention span on the game.

[Dino]

The latest console I have is a PS1. I bought a truck load of games for it and only really ever played 3 games more than a handful of times. I really liked Syphon Filter, but found i needed a good 3 hours straight to get to the next level and I just didnt have the time. Its been years now since I've fired it up. I struggle to find the time to play my 2600 and you only need an hour or so.

 

I think the point is taht the older you get the less disposable time you have and so you look for simpler games that you can pick up and play instantly and be done in an hour. the new consoles rarely allow you to do so.

[Sayton]

I agree, but I also disagree.

 

Yes, this IS an Atari website. And yes, it is an awesome system. But I also must say, don't bash the newer stuff!

 

As for me, with duplicates I own 66 game systems and over 1,120 video games. I have not played or beat them all, so not only am I a gamer but a collector.

 

It's cool that you're a youngin and you like the 2600, but always keep an open mind about others. Everyone has their own pick of games/systems they like so even though it may get on your nerves about stuff, just try to keep an open mind.

 

And as for buying/beating new games....unlike most people I keep em. But that's just me and a few others I guess.

 

I will say this, I don't like people who are all about graphics and not gameplay. Can't stand it. But whether it's old or new, graphics matter not to me, it's all about gameplay. Okay gotta go, wife made dinner, time to eat!!!!!

[Cheese007]

I'm 13 and own (and love) the 2600. Beat that!

[frogstar_robot]

 

-Unless they grew up with it, can't convince friends to come over and play it

-Multiplayer features/ games aren't exactly the best

 

 

There is one exception to that rule. Get 'em drunk enough and drag out two sets of paddles and the Warlords cart. Warlords gets personal really fast and the graphics won't matter.

 

It's the original deathmatch.

 

One other thought I had was about the parent poster's cost complaints. Yes indeedy, modern consoles and their games just plain cost too freaking much. But then the 2600 wasn't a particular cheap hobby pre-crash. I remember carts going for anywhere from $25 to $50 dollars. In the 1981-82 timeframe that was a fairly serious chunk of change. I actually enjoyed the hell out of the crash of '84 because I could afford to raid the bargain bins at Kay-Bee toys with my meager 13 year old income. The moral of the story is that current gaming is never cheap. To this day, I wait to play newer PC titles. I enjoyed Doom 3 a lot more at $25 than if I paid $50 for it. We'll be getting Quake 4 soon.

 

By the time the NES came along, I was driving and had an A8 and an ST to play with. That and there were these creatures called "girls". Pity that pukey pastel colored flicker generator beat up on the SMS and it's other competitors so badly. I'll give it kudos for reviving console gaming but it's games were almost all aesthetic off-green and pale beige flickerery disasters. Ranting aside, NES titles when it was a current console weren't cheap by teenage income standards either.

 

The NES was also a major pioneer in killing off pick up and play gaming. But then large adventures like Super Mario World and Zelda have something that most 2600 titles don't. It was the start of a very different form of console gaming. Of course, home computer users had been playing long duration games for years at that point.....

 

I suggest to the topic starter that he look into handhelds like the GP32. From what I've read, off-brand handhelds seem to be a bastion of pick up and play gaming.

[Lord Thag]

A good video game (like a good movie) is good, regardless of age or console. I'll readily admit that there are far fewer good games nowadays (at least to my tastes), but that being said, the good ones are REALLY good. Games like Elder Scroll Oblivion are simply mind-boggling, amazing stuff. Yet, even with games like that, I still end up playing Dreadnaught Factor and Phoenix just as often. Maybe it's because when I like something, I always like it. Maybe it's because new and old games are two completely different things, like comparing ice cream to cake. New or old, if done well, video games allow us to step outside our daily routine and be a hero, a legend, a football team manager, a gangster, or maybe just show off our skills blasting some little white aliens that go 'bump bump bump'. I've liked games since the 2600, and I'm gonna keep liking them.

 

Why? Because games are fun.

Edited October 7, 2006 by Lord Thag

[phitter]

You are nuts. If I was 17 and rejected all consoles, I would hate the Atari 2600, Fairchild Channel F, Emerson Arcaria, Bally Astrovision, etc. and would be left with nothing but boardgames and a deck of cards.

 

Do you hate card games too? I think Uno rocks. Why no Uno game for the VCS?

 

Draw Four sucker.

 

-phitter

[Ross PK]

Well, I love modern gaming and old gaming, they both have their positives and negatives.

 

rheffera, you could probably pick up a PS2, Gamecube, or Xbox for about £40 on ebay, and you could probably get a Dreamcast for about £20, which I may say has a lot of arcade style pick up and play games which you like.

 

Also, you can get pre owned games that have been out for a few years for very cheap. All in all, modern gaming can be very cheap if you don't mind pre owned stuff. I mean, I'm sure if you gave modern gaming a chance taht there'd at least be a few games you'd like. It's not all mainstream stuff like Madden and GTA you know, there's also quirky fun titles that're all about fun (allthough I do find GTA to be a lot of fun as well), like We Love Katamari Damacy where you roll around a ball rolling up all sorts of things in your path, the more you collect, the bigger your ball gets until you're rolling up tower blocks and islands and stuff, you really should check it out.

 

I understand you may prefer oldskool gaming over modern gaming, but I think there's more to the fact that you seem to be dismissing modern gaming 100%, it seems as though you're very bitter towards it for some reason, maybe it's because it's what the mainstream is into and classic gaming which you enojoy is completey overshadowed by it.

Edited October 15, 2006 by Ross PK

[ataridude81]

Even though today's controllers have 10+ button's i've never had problem's learning them fast. i love my atari but i love to mix star wars kotor in with a little space invaders. kid's make fun of 80's games like kid's make fun of disco it's a new generation where enjoy eyecandy over gameplay i like both but would pick gameplay anyday. i've played games for 18 years and atari was my first console.

[Video]

Even though today's controllers have 10+ button's i've never had problem's learning them fast. i love my atari but i love to mix star wars kotor in with a little space invaders. kid's make fun of 80's games like kid's make fun of disco it's a new generation where enjoy eyecandy over gameplay i like both but would pick gameplay anyday. i've played games for 18 years and atari was my first console.

 

 

Heh, that, and just because it's on a system that typically uses one button, and a joystic, doesn't necessairly mean any idiot can figure it out either Raiders of the lsot ark comes to mind, with it's right stick for controll, and left stick for menue, and Space Shuttle, and ghost busters wich aren't exactly easy to figure out without a guide or something.

[TourqeGlare]

I only play my PS2 because I fear that my older consoles will break.

 

When Im on, Im either playing Sonic Mega Collection, GTA-whatever,

Activision Anthologey, or the Namco Museum.

 

Gonna be picking these up soon too.

http://www.amazon.com/Atari-26081-Antholog...3204045?ie=UTF8

http://www.sega.com/games/game_temp.php?ga...lgamelist_title

[Recycled]

Well, I love modern gaming and old gaming, they both have their positives and negatives.

 

Also, you can get pre owned games that have been out for a few years for very cheap. All in all, modern gaming can be very cheap if you don't mind pre owned stuff. I understand you may prefer oldskool gaming over modern gaming, but I think there's more to the fact that you seem to be dismissing modern gaming 100%, it seems as though you're very bitter towards it for some reason, maybe it's because it's what the mainstream is into and classic gaming which you enojoy is completey overshadowed by it.

 

 

Yes....I just bought a ps2 game for a $1.25. And it proves the point AGAIN I like the old games alot better. Although the newer ones are fun up to a point.

 

And, gaming is cheap in general if you stay back off the cutting edge. (and you're not an anal collector )

 

"anal collector doesn't sound right. HA!!

Edited October 16, 2006 by Recycled

[Video]

Heh, that sounds like games Aliens play....

 

Anal Collector, gotta probe em all

 

[futuramaooy]

Oops! Better get off your computer, There are TONNES of buttons on that oversized controller on your desk called a "keyboard" wouldn't want you to get confused there!

 

Ugh, with that out of the way, I respect people who play classic games, but don't rule out the new consoles just yet! I'm 15, just to let you guys know, and I LOVE my NES, but hey, I'm also very into my Nintendo DS, and looking forward to the Wii.

[bretthorror]

I agree man, I'm only 21 and people think I'm nuts when I want to play NES or Activision Anthology over the new FPS crap. I'll play an FPS, but holy crap it gets old. I think the reason some kids and the gaming audience in general is getting so hooked to games nowadays is they're enjoying how they're kind of like a movie in a sense. Me, I don't see this. Cut scenes are boring and it's not a movie when you keep dying. They all cry for realism when in reality, no war, fps, etc... game would be possible in real life, so why bother begging for something that's not even valid?

 

The problem with games now is they're so damn hard. I am not a very good gamer, but I can finish a game or two. But it's not the difficulty that makes them hard, it's the 900 buttons on the controller and getting them all figured out. It just simply takes too long. I like to be able to pick up and play. This is not to say I don't buy modern games or play them and whatnot, I just have a love for older gaming as well. I don't believe in buying a console and using it for its lifespan and tossing it to the side. That's just not in my blood. I still play the games I had when I was a kid and don't look down on them in comparison to the PS2 stuff. This is why the Wii is taking me by storm. Yeah, it's not powerful, but it seems easy and most importantly fun! Wii Sports multiplayer is going to be amazing. Also getting a DS for Christmas mostly because of how strong New Super Mario Bros looks.

 

All in all, I can't figure out these gamers who lose respect for the games they have because something nicer and new comes out, it just makes no sense. This is why us old-timers (can I say that being only 21? My mentality is of an old school gamer, but I've been playing older games since I got my NES at 5) have a massive collection of games in comparison to these people who buy new things then sell 'em when they're done. If you're gonna do that, just rent and save yourself the money. I, personally will not buy any games I can't forsee myself playing forever. I also am cheap when it comes to gaming because the cheaper you are, the more you get to buy in the longrun.

 

I just find it a helluva lot more interesting when I have games coming for all of my consoles rather than being like the normal people and focusing on one.

 

And for the guy who said the thread creater gave you hope for the young gamers, don't have any. Trust me, 99% of them aren't like this. It's sad, but true.