In Modern Systems

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I agree, most games like GTA SanAndreas and Ghost Recon 2, they tend to just throw you in the action as if you mastered the game already. Thats why I always like playing new NES Games via emulator.

You shouldn't dismiss newer video games out of hand. Of course there are bad games on the newer consoles. But there were also bad games on the classic consoles. Shit is everywhere.
Actually there are really good games even on now's recent consoles.
Take the Zelda games. Nearly everything is perfect in them. Or, I never got bored on Super Mario 64 or even Mario sunshine (which wasn't as good, but still great).

Yeah, I love old games, but it's dumb to dismiss newer ones. RE4 is one of, if not THE, best games I've ever played.

I think you're mistaking "simple" for "focused".

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The way I see newer games is like the learning curve thing you were talking about and getting thrown into the game. I believe it's because of the controls more than not. I REALLY dig MGS3 right now, but I had to try the beginning part a few times to make sure I could manipulate the enemies the way I wanted to.

For awhile, I totally dismissed the new, NEW games (this doesn't include PSOne). The only explanation for it is I get tired of learning all these new controls. However, now that I got a couple of newer systems, I'm really back into it!

I'm not sure that lack of focus is a good term, but I can understand what you mean to some level.

I don't think there's anything wrong with realism, unless it starts to get out of control. The Sega CD era tried "realism" through truckloads of horrible FMV games, and that was obviously not the direction games needed to be taken. Of course, if you're talking "realism" like Gran Turismo, I'm gonna have to disagree with you. While I'm personally not a fan of sim racers, there is definitely a market for it. Personally, I'll take a Burnout or a Crazy Taxi over a Gran Turismo or Sega GT any day. I can change the tires on my car any day I want, but I can't always drift over a median into oncoming traffic. That's what video games are for.

In a quick defense of games close to my heart...

Don't forget about the hundreds of other things you can change on your cars in good sim racers. And 'your cars' includes a sick amount of cars I would only dream of driving. And Burnout 3 has such a pitiful selection of cars. But lest this does not matter.


Metroid Prime, was hardly simplistic. I consider the control more primitive and clunky than simple. The scanning of artifacts? Boo... just show an FMV of Samus's boyfriend being kidnapped at the beginning of the game and I am good.

San Andreas makes you ride a bike at the beginning of the game. I never rode a bike in any other GTA game. I was hindered because I played the other games, I figured that holding X was the best way to go.

As many good old games there are there are just as many and more bad ones, the same holds true for todays games, perhaps a little worse because the market has become so big and mainstream that they're trying to sell you the hot trend products.

Classics suffered from sequel-itis as much as they do now. The biggest change in the 6 Megaman games? the slide and the charge, not a monster of a change.

I think San Andreas didn't fail because of the massive features it added. Well, because it didn't add all that much, just a huge environment. Which caused graphical short cuts and uglies. Playing a round of 'gyrus' at the '7-11' was a nice touch.

Final Fantasy X, was a good game, perhaps too linear. I thought FFX-2 was amuch better game, I missed almost a quarter of the game my first time through because they let me do whatever I want...however, most classics give you no choice on what you do. You follow a harsh linear path. Unless you count fighting Magnet man before you fight Blade man an open ended game.

I'm sorry for this post it's like I'm swinging at a pinita in the dark and hitting all the innocent party-goers and maybe once I tapped the pinita on a backswing. In short, for my opinion. There are good and there are bad there are kinda good and kinda bad games for all generations of systems.

i fully agree with dwellerofrhymes, the time it takes to get the grisp of modering games, one really gets pissed off before getting the hand of it.

think about kids, how are they suppose to play these games. that is why i always let my young cousins and neighbours start with classic games being played on emulators. this way they can learn to enjoy games without losing interest.

Actually, I know some kids that play modern games like they're going out of style! I believe one of them is six that I'm specifically thinking about. That kid wizzes through newer games like a champ!

It's always good to introduce them to the earlier games when they're super young though. Take for example my son, or the picture that Roll posted of the baby playing Mario. Yeah, that's Super Cool!

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I actually don't mind the scanning in the game myself. At first I thought it was kind of kooky, but it gives cool info about the game. I may start over, because there was some stuff that I missed scanning earlier in the game. I think it's a pretty cool feature. I can't wait to get through it and get Prime 2! That'll be awhile, though.

San Andreas makes you ride a bike at the beginning of the game. I never rode a bike in any other GTA game. I was hindered because I played the other games, I figured that holding X was the best way to go.

San Andreas also has those tip boxes at the top of the screen explaining how to do everything... so had you glanced up for half a second, you would have known exactly what to do.

Yeah, 99% of modern games have some sort of "learning" section where it shows you the basics of the game. Whether this is through an actual training area (Splinter Cell for example), through pop-up instructions on screen (Fable), or through videos (Burnout 3, Viewtiful Joe), I haven't had to read an instruction manual for years.

Ha! It's funny you brought up the instruction manual tidbit, ZHX! I was just thinking the same thing not two days ago! haha

The manuals have almost become somewhat unnecessary, in my opinion. Every now and then, you'll have a game with some sort of special move or something that isn't explained in the game itself, but generally, manuals are a bit on the phasing out side, it would seem. Not so much phasing out maybe, as it could go more of the story direction. You know, some art work, as they have included in so many of the newer titles. I personally don't remember looking at too many manuals until I've been a good ways through the game. Funny, huh?

The biggest gripe I have about the newer games is that I most generally really have to be in the mood to play them in order to really play them.

Learning the controls and various menu manipulation (on most newer RPG's and stuff) isn't too much trouble, unless of course, that it takes away from actual game playing time.

I agree about the lack of "pick-up-and-play" type games on the newer consoles. There are some gems out there though (Contra: Shattered Soldier, Ikaruga) that still have that oldschool vibe to them, running on the sharp new graphical look.

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There I go mentioning 'Ikaruga' again.

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Don't cry. I can't beat that game, too.
I'm so bad at shooters of all sort.