The Technology Driving Our Passion for Nostalgia

An aspect of the ongoing technological evolution is how it has been utilised to give us some nostalgia.

19:30 15 February 2022

"SNES Classic is REAL!" (CC BY 2.0) by Nelo Hotsuma

An aspect of the ongoing technological evolution is how it has been utilised to give us some nostalgia. Some might be using their computer or smartphone to play a game of bingo or a favourite casino game. Others might be downloading retro video games on their new console when they need a break from the big blockbusters. It's worth exploring the old games people are playing and how technology has made nostalgia a thriving business.

 

We still love a game of bingo

Bingo is a game played and enjoyed by people all over the world. Its peak in the United Kingdom was arguably in the 1960s and 1970s. The bingo halls of the UK were busy every night, and the game developed a passionate following. This love for the game has meant a growing demand for it online.

 

Bingo's constant evolution has meant it has developed new players and audiences, but it uses a heavy dose of nostalgia to sell these gaming experiences. For example, when you go to play online bingo games, you will see a lot of the titles have a 90-ball format like The Big Wheel or House of Cards. This format is considered to be the more traditional type of bingo while the themes perpetuate this feeling of nostalgia. 

 

Emulation and Nintendo's Virtual Console

Emulation of old consoles has always been popular. Gamers like to play older games that they used to enjoy. This passion for retro gaming was aided by the newer consoles having the capacity to play some iconic titles.

 

Nintendo has always liked to be at the forefront of gaming innovation. They are constantly looking for the next evolution, whether it was the motion consoles used on the Wii or the touchscreen used for their DS. They have also allowed gamers to access their back catalogue. Gamers love having the opportunity to play their old favourites once again. It is something they have carried on with the Switch.

 

They went even further by launching smaller versions of their old consoles. Their success with the NES and SNES mini has proven that the demand for their back catalogue is huge. One reviewer described the SNES Mini as a genuine pleasure. Sony saw the success of those devices and tried to do something similar with the PlayStation Classic. This effort wasn't as well received by critics, despite the success of the original console. 

 

Retro gaming is a growing business

Research indicates that the value of the retro gaming industry increased quite dramatically during 2021, as reported by Business Insider. Several gamers started to explore old games consoles that they might have missed due to age. The Intellivision console was one of many that saw some new sales. This growth in retro gaming has also been helped by YouTubers doing playthroughs of several older games. Who remembers the Jurassic Park game from 1993? 

 

Will the games of today be the popular retro games of the future?

It would certainly be worth exploring if the big games of today will stand the test of time or whether the technology of the future will make them dated very quickly and almost obsolete. The most popular games now seem to revolve more around multiplayer, so their ongoing popularity will largely depend on whether gaming communities stick together. Could you imagine a game like Fortnite still being played by people in ten or twenty years?