Retro Gaming: Exploring Classic Consoles and Unique Controllers - Episode 332

Piltch Point (Video)

Description

Retro gaming is making a comeback, and it's not just for nostalgia's sake. Avram Piltch discusses his son's interest in retro games and how it has sparked a renewed interest in old consoles and games. Avram's son, who is only 12 years old, is more interested in retro games than in the latest games. He watches videos about old games, quizzes his father on trivia about old consoles and games, and gets excited about playing old games in their original format.

Retro gaming is in the spotlight

Avram discusses his visit to a retro game festival in New York, where he shares pictures of his son looking at old consoles and games. The festival had every major console in historical order, starting from the Magnavox Odyssey, and attendees could play on them. Avram also came across a tool called Taz bot, which automates gameplay on certain old consoles like the GameCube. This tool allows players to program joystick moves and button presses to play the perfect game.

While some may question the purpose of using a tool like Taz bot to automate gameplay, it highlights the growing interest in retro gaming and the desire to experience old games in new ways. The festival also featured old consoles like the RCA Studio II, Atari Lynx, PSP, Xbox 360, and original Game Boy, showcasing the variety of retro gaming options available.

One of the key reasons for the resurgence of retro gaming is the unique experience it offers. Playing old games on original consoles and CRT TVs provides a different feel and look compared to modern gaming setups. Additionally, there is a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the history of gaming that comes with playing retro games.

Furthermore, retro gaming is not just about reliving the past but also about preserving gaming history. Events like retro game festivals and tools like Taz bot help keep old consoles and games alive for future generations to enjoy. The interest in retro gaming is not limited to older gamers but is also seen in younger generations like Avram's son, who are discovering the charm of old games.

Old school gaming nostalgia fest

In addition, Avram discusses a wide range of gaming devices, from the Space Ace and Dragon's Lair DVD games to the Virtual Boy and N64 playing Banjo-Kazooie. He also highlights unique consoles like the Game Tank, a homebrew console with its own set of games and cartridges, and the Dreamcast with its quirky peripherals like the fishing rod game.

One of the most interesting aspects of the event was old educational systems like the Socrates and Sega pods, as well as handheld games like Merlin. The hosts also explore the evolution of gaming technology, from the Commodore PET and K-Pro computers to the Amstrad with its tape drive built into the keyboard.

Avram and Scott share their experiences playing retro games and exploring the history of gaming, highlighting the creativity and innovation of early game developers. They also discuss the appeal of retro gaming for both seasoned gamers and newcomers, emphasizing the nostalgia and sense of nostalgia that comes with revisiting classic games and consoles.

Controller matters for retro gaming

Avram and Scott discuss the importance of controllers in retro gaming. They highlight the significance of using the original controllers that were designed for specific gaming consoles, as opposed to using modern controllers or emulators. They emphasize that the controller matters greatly in the gaming experience, as it affects the feel and gameplay of the retro games.

Avram mentions examples of retro gaming controllers, such as the Atari joystick and the wheel controller for Atari Pong games. He discusses how the design and functionality of these controllers contribute to the overall gaming experience and how using the original controllers can enhance the nostalgia and authenticity of playing retro games.

Additionally, the pair touches upon the idea of modifying retro gaming controllers to work with modern devices, such as installing USB connections in the controllers to use them with newer gaming systems. They explore the technical aspects of retrofitting retro controllers and the potential challenges involved in the process.

Furthermore, Scott discusses the significance of Nintendo releasing wireless NES and SNES controllers for the Switch to enhance the gameplay experience of playing classic games on modern consoles. He emphasizes that the design and functionality of the controllers are integral to the gaming experience and that using the original controllers can enhance the overall gameplay and nostalgia of retro gaming.

Participants

Scott Ertz

Host

Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.

Avram Piltch

Host

Avram's been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom's Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he's not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you'll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.

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