A Brief Look: What is Retro gaming?
Introduction
Retro gaming is a widespread sub-section of the broader gaming community. When discussing the subject, I remember many early consoles like the NES, SNES, and Genesis. But here's the thing. That's just my take. From the bleeps and bloops of the Atari 2600 to the 3D graphics of the GameCube, what is considered 'retro gaming' can vary widely depending on who you ask. So, what I would like to do here is first dive into what retro is, then explore some of the more common answers as to the conditions for being considered retro, and finally answer the question of which of these interpretations is correct. So, without further ado, let's start with what exactly retro is.
What is Retro?
So, what does it mean to be retro? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it is defined as:
Relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashions of the past: fashionably nostalgic or old-fashioned
When people think of retro gaming, they typically think about the classics. NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, GBA, and many more. However, something interesting relates to that first part. Specifically, that retro can apply to something reviving or in the style of the past. By that logic, many modern indie games could be considered retro due to their pixel art style. Looking at the definition of the word, it is true that the NES and SNES classic consoles are retro as they bring back the style of something from the past, specifically their respective consoles.
As a result, some have taken to referring to what people think of as retro gaming instead of vintage gaming. This more effectively describes what retro gaming is thought of as: Games and game consoles of the past. In this case, I will use retro gaming in the context it's most familiar with for simplicity.
Now that we've addressed that, let's move on to what determines whether a game or game console is retro.
Conditions for Being Retro
Well, it depends on who you ask. Some argue that it strictly comes down to a console's age, while others look at it through technological shifts in the industry. Let's look at both individually:
Age: Let's start off with the more straightforward answer. To qualify as retro, a certain amount of time must have passed between a console's release date and today. For example, everything outside the last 20 years is considered retro gaming. What would that include? Seeing as how the seventh generation of consoles (Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360) all came out between 2005 and 2006, that would put them on the edge of being retro, with consoles like the PS2 and GameCube and the like falling outside of this range.
Outside of X number of years: Retro
Within X number of years: Not retro
Generational: Another method would be to go by generations. Like the age-based, here we set a cutoff point not by the age of a console but by its respective console generation. Let's look at it this way. Before, I gave an example of anything beyond 20 years old being considered retro. Instead of years, we'll set the limit at console generations. If a console is two generations old, it's considered retro. We're in the ninth console generation, which would put the seventh-gen consoles firmly in the retro category.
Outside of X number of console generations: Retro
Within X number of console generations: Not retro
Technological Shifts: We could also sort them into categories based on the technological shifts of the time. So, if we wanted to say that the modern era began with the introduction of HD gaming, we could. What about the transition from 2D to 3D gaming? We could also firmly slot everything before the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1 into the retro category. We could leave it at the adoption of CDs for home consoles if we wanted to. Sky's the limit on what could be called retro if we decide to use changing technology as our metric for what is and is not retro.
These are just three examples, but there are so many more. But with so many definitions, how do you determine which one is right?
So, Which One is Right?
The truth is that there is no correct answer. Any of the three options above could be right, with many others that haven't been mentioned. It is all subjective, but I would go with generational if I had to pick one. It makes the most sense and is the easiest to quantify and make sense of. It sets a clear line as to what is considered retro and what is not. And, as much as it makes me feel old to see consoles I grew up with considered retro, it's the one that makes the most sense to me.
Conclusion
What's considered 'retro' can mean different things to different people. Retro gaming is a way to explore the past and relive those fond memories many of us had growing up. Whether you were blowing into your cartridges or playing through Ocarina of Time for the eighth time, in my case, it's all about the fun and the memories. We can debate separating games and consoles by generation, technological advancements, or other criteria. But in the end, it's all about your subjective. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you agree with my take? Or do you have a different perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
