Despite countless technological breakthroughs in the gaming industry in recent years, there has also been a sharp rise in the demand for retro games in the modern gaming world.
On this page, we will be taking a closer look at how retro aesthetics have been updated to cater to modern audiences who enjoy playing their favourite games online in both the traditional gaming and iGaming sectors.
Why are retro games more popular than ever?
There are a number of reasons why retro games remain relevant today, not just with older gaming audiences who are looking for a sense of nostalgia but also with younger audiences who aren’t too bothered about playing high-end, graphically demanding triple-A blockbuster video games like Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Metro Exodus, Forza Horizon 5, RDR2 (Red Dead Redemption 2) or Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, to name a few.
Retro games are popular today because they are fun, easy to play, and offer an engaging and interactive experience that many games crave.
Most retro games feature likeable characters and have immersive storylines, and the old-school-style graphics, animated sequences and sound effects give these games their unique charm and appeal. The beauty of these games is that anyone can play.
How have retro aesthetics been updated for modern audiences?
Today’s market-leading video gaming development studios and software providers who have helped bring retro games to modern audiences often try to stay true to the original game. However, they use the latest technological advancements to improve upon the original graphics and make them even more appealing than they once were.
Using the latest computer programming/coding languages and even more complex game mechanics and engines to bring retro games to life in the modern age has made them more fun to play and much better to look at.
Take classic casino games, for example, which have been adapted for the modern digital realm by various top-tier, multi-award-winning software providers like:
- Blueprint Gaming
- Red Tiger Gaming
- NetEnt
- Pragmatic Play
Other well-established software providers that have also updated the classics using modern technology to create updated retro aesthetics include ELK Studios, Thunderkick, Play’n GO, Relax Gaming, BTG (Big Time Gaming), Barcrest, Games Global, Playtech, and IGT.
They have turned the classic 3-reel mechanical slot (aka one-armed bandit, aka mechanical fruit machine) into highly sophisticated video slots that can be played online using a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.
These same companies have also included iconic original features, such as nudge, hold, trail climb, add-cash, stepper, and cash boost. They have also incorporated some of their modern features and mechanics, such as Megaways and second-screen, multi-level picking bonus features to breathe new life into the traditional favourites.
You can also play classic table & card games like blackjack, baccarat, craps, poker, and roulette in real-time these days in a highly sophisticated live dealer setting. These popular new games have helped take the iGaming industry to extraordinary new heights.
Final thoughts
Retro games and aesthetics will continue to pull gamers in for many years to come. For some, these key elements found in modern games offer players a trip down memory lane to a much simpler time. For modern, younger audiences, retro aesthetic gaming experiences offer an escape from their mundane current situations.
They offer a quick fix that these more demanding games simply cannot provide, which is why there will be a market for these games for the foreseeable future. Some high-end games are just too complex and overwhelming for gamers, and retro games allow them to unwind without the grinding pressure of having to complete gruelling tasks or challenges.
Today’s software providers and game development studios have also included interactive elements that enable gamers to communicate in real time with the wider community, meaning the gaming experience is now less of a solitary one and more of a shared experience.
Classic games with updated retro aesthetics have also helped bridge the gap between older and younger gaming audiences, and their revival has helped fuel the demand for more of these retro-inspired favourites.