Why Do Retro Games Appeal to Different Generations of Gamers?

    On the surface, the older a game is, the less it should appeal to adults who didn’t experience the original release. They grow up with the latest technology and different habits, so the later generations aren’t used to basic formats with simplistic gameplay. However, old-school products and services are getting a lot of love from demographics that aren’t necessarily targeted, which is unexpected. Delve deeper, though, and you’ll see that it isn’t too surprising.

    Leveraging Software to Enhance the Experience  

    Everyone remembers the first games they played as there’s a connection to them that lasts a lifetime. This is partly why some three million people in the UK play bingo regularly. Bingo is an element of the lifestyle, even for the players that weren’t around in its heyday. So, when the internet exploded and provided an alternative to the classic format, bingo games surged in popularity in Britain, especially among adults.

    The average age of a bingo gamer today in the region is around 30. That’s about 30 to 40 years younger than you’d imagine! Of course, the fact that technology-savvy adults can access services from anywhere in the world at a drop of a hat, and choose between a plethora of offerings, such as traditional bingo rooms, Slingos, and scratch cards, highlights the shift the game has made to diversify its audience.

    Some timeless video games have followed the same strategy. Pokémon Go, for instance, no longer restricts users to handsets, rather it encourages them to go out into the world to capture Pokémon. It’s interactive. Super Mario, meanwhile, experienced a new lease of life thanks to the Nintendo Wii, with sales of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games selling more than 26 million copies.

    Remastered Titles  

    Whether you call it a lack of creativity or a savvy business move, remasters are commonplace across the entertainment industry. They plague movies and TV series, causing some publications to ponder whether there are more film sequels and remakes than there are original releases. Tellingly, the phenomenon isn’t new, which is healthy for video games as remasters introduce audiences to the initial concept.

    Crash Bandicoot is an excellent case study. Originally released in the 90s, it has experienced a resurgence from 2010 onwards, almost selling one million copies of Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time in 2019 and 2020. 25 years later and the cult classic still sells well around the world.

    The impact of non-target players embracing the game can’t be ignored as they play video games the most and invest in digital downloads more than other demographics. As a result, the sales of Crash Bandicoot and Super Mario are evergreen.

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