Even if you’re someone who’s relatively new to gaming, you’ve likely heard of all the classic era-defining games that emerged decades ago. Some people might feel as though enough time has passed to the point where trying these would only have them compare poorly against newer, more technically advanced titles, but others might want to experience the specific atmosphere and advances that these games initially offered.
The difficulty, then, is finding a way to play them. Not every retro game is lovingly re-released as a remaster, and that can put someone in your position in a very difficult spot.
On PC
Many would argue that the console that provides a player with the widest access to games is a PC. There are multiple different storefronts available, like Steam, which offer players access to games from years gone by, and there’s no delineation between versions of this console like there is with new PlayStations or Xbox consoles.
It’s a suggestion that seems like an easy fix, but it’s also one that’s easier said than done for a lot of people. Not everyone has the money or the space to purchase an effective gaming PC – even buying a less powerful gaming laptop just for the sake of old games can be a tall order for many people. Additionally, some might prefer the experience of playing a game on a console compared to a PC, which can create an additional complex layer of subjectivity. Still, it might represent the simplest route for many people.
Remakes and Remasters
The preferred route for a lot of people is to simply wait until the game they want to play is remastered or remade. In this case, it’ll be conveniently released on the modern console that they use, with a visual overhaul and maybe even a mechanical one that can bring it in line with what’s expected from modern titles.
This can seem like the most sensical route, but it comes with a couple of caveats. Remakes and remasters are sometimes controversial – they can change elements from the original game that some considered to be foundational, so you might not be experiencing it in quite the same way. Furthermore, remakes and remasters aren’t guaranteed – they depend heavily on demand, meaning lesser-known titles often get left by the wayside.
On Mobile
It might surprise a lot of people to learn that ports of older games are available on their smartphone. Many people might neglect mobile gaming as an option entirely, and those who don’t might mainly stick to freemium games or they might use their phone to play slots online.
Of course, mobile ports are going to offer an inherently different gaming experience to playing on a larger screen, especially when the controller is sharing space with the screen, but it can still be a convenient route due to how it doesn’t require people to invest in a new console. Games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic can suddenly become much more accessible to people who haven’t played it before.