If you’ve been playing computer games for a while, you’ll have a number of games that you didn’t get a chance to play when they came out but since have been highly rated. AAA games keep going down the path of sequel, reboot, etc for ever higher purchase prices and ever growing DLC so gaming on a budget can be hard. So why not go back to some games that were great when they came out and are now available for a steal? You won’t need additional hardware or a new console (or an old one for that matter); these games can run on whatever you currently have in many cases.
So, how do you get started?
Computer Based
There are a number of ways to get access to old games ranging from easy to tricky. I’ll start out with the great, easy, computer based option GOG.com. They offer packaged, licensed versions of lots of older computer games, designed to run on newer versions of common operating systems. Their prices tend to be a fraction of what the game cost new, and even less than that compared to a recent release. Many great games are available for $5! So go back and check out my favourite 4x strategy game, Masters of Magic. If you’ve played Fallen Enchantress on Steam, you’re familiar with a modern version of Masters of Magic. Now go play the original that inspired Stardock to create their modern spin. This game as a lot of replay value so be prepared to spend some time with it.
Console Based
Many consoles now offer a Virtual Console mode where you can download older games for older consoles. The Wii has many older titles available at a lower than AAA cost, though as always, consoles are more expensive – be prepared to pay ~ $15 each. Get ready to play a game that defined one of the consoles during the 16 bit era, Sonic 2. An iconic game for the Sega Genesis, now available on the Wii.
Emulator Based
For the more technically inclined, there are plenty of emulators and converter hardware to play old cartridges on modern devices. These can be a hobby by themselves getting emulators to work and finding the right USB to cartridge device for the game you have. There’s also a lot of mobile devices and emulators available on Android and elsewhere. The problem with many of these is the touchscreen doesn’t lend itself to old school console games. You could buy a bluetooth gaming controller, but then you sort of lose portability.
Mobile Based
If you are considering purchasing something for mobile retro gaming, there are a number of options available. My choice is the OpenPandora, available now on ebay. Sadly it is out of production now so you can’t buy a new one. It’s a great mobile device that you don’t have to hack to get root on, you’re fully in control of the software, and it has gaming controls as well as a full OS for tasks on the go, while being the size of a Nintendo DS. It emulates just about every older console so you can carry a Sega Genesis, Nintendo NES, SNES and a NeoGeo equivelent in your pocket, not to mention a PS1. The better news is there’s a new version in prototype stage right now called the Dragonbox Pyra, which should be better in every way to the OpenPandora, while maintaining the same form factor and wide emulator and OS support. If things go well, the Pyra will be on sale sometime next year.