Introduction

Nostalgia plays an important role in why old-school games are perceived, quite often, as more enjoyable than they seem otherwise. There are various reasons behind the fact that nostalgia plays a huge role in evoking certain emotions and remembrance of certain shared experiences as kids.

The Role of Nostalgia

Nostalgia invokes strong emotional responses in the mind while playing retro, old-school games. These responses come from memories tied to one’s past, reminding them of simpler times and the efforts they had put into overcoming the games’ challenges when they were younger and naive. This reminds me of when I would spend after-school hours, trying to complete missions in Grand Theft Auto with my brother and sister. Now when I look at the small, congested space where our PC used to sit and think about how the three of us fit in it, it reminds me of the experience of playing the game together, just for fun. I vividly remember myself controlling the mouse, my sister on the keyboard and my brother just sitting on the desk with the sheet with cheat codes, happily observing us play. Now when I sit to play Vice City, it personally feels quite different, compared to when I play Valorant, which I started playing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Old-school games creating a shared experience

These shared experiences from the past add layers of social nostalgia. Even though Grand Theft Auto was not a multi-player game back then, we needed three, young minds to complete missions. Moving on to multi-player games, I remember playing Polar Golfer whenever I would visit my elder brother’s place with my brother. We would spend hours playing the game and subconsciously started associating each character with each one of us, by the gender or by their fashion. Even while playing Tekken 3 on PlayStation at the age of 9 or 10, we as kids would sit hours in front of the television, cheering each other on. When I played the game back during pandemic on my laptop (maybe it was a higher version of Tekken), I would laugh remembering how my younger brother mimicked his character kicking his opponent in real life subconsciously while sitting in front of the television.

GTA Vice City (release date: 2002)

Tekken 3 (release date: 1997)

Simplicity and player-centric game mechanics of retro games

All of these retro games were easy to navigate and play through as they focused more on being player-centric than being aesthetically pleasing or high in graphics. It was easier to focus on completing challenges and tasks than today’s games, which may overwhelm gamers with over-complexity. The simplicity and accessibility of these games offered a more relaxing experience. It was quite often when I preferred playing games like Mario Vlax, Roadrash, and Diner Dash after passing out of high school over the games that were popular back then as these games were associated with the time when my oldest sister would play and we would just sit and watch happily. These games rarely required complex mouse movements or keyboard combinations, which is why it was easy to remember and play again when I got older.

Escapism and comfort in the familiar experience

Old-school games often provide us with an escape from our present problems in the modern world. Human beings often seek refuge in old, comfortable, and familiar experiences and old-nostalgic games help us with that. These games are often predictable, which reduces cognitive load and allows for a more passive experience. 

In conclusion

The combination of nostalgia, social connection, accessibility, and timeless gameplay design makes retro games a comforting escape for many players. As they engage with these classic titles, they not only relive cherished memories but also find solace in the simplicity and familiarity that these games provide.