Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Who would buy a new 16 bit console?
lilreap2k3
Member UncommonPosts: 353
I have been thinking a lot lately about my childhood and how the older consoles were so entertaining. To this day I still have my NES, SNES, Genesis, Atari Jaguar, N64, Gamecube, Dreamcast, PS1, and PS2 as well as tons of games for each (I am 27 now). Among those systems SNES was my favorite by far. The selection of RPGs on that system was amazing and I still find myself playing them every so often.
Now, to the question at hand. If a company were to release a new and vastly improved version of the 16 bit console tomorrow, would you buy it?
We are talking about a brand new selection of 100+ hour RPGs, side-scrolling platformers, fighting games (think Killer Instinct, Street Fighter 2), old school sports games and more. Except this time around the console won't be limited by technology, and the only reason the graphics are dated is for that old school feel.
The price of the console and the games will be a deciding factor for a lot of people, and I understand that. I am guessing the company could get away with charging say $100 for the console and $20 for most games with the 100+ hour RPGs coming in at $30-$40. I know I would pay that in a heartbeat, and that should be enough for the company to turn a decent profit.
Please let me know what you guys think. If you vote, please post a response with your reasons why you would or wouldn't buy one.
Playing - Minecraft, 7 Days To Die, Darkfall:ROA, Path of Exile
Waiting for -
Comments
This is a really interesting question.
There's so much super nintendo nostalgia for me that I very well might if the games were great. No cartridges though.
I am going to date my self here but I started out with pong and asteroids I don't look back never would look back. I played every system from then to now and I wouldnt go back to 16 bit ever . I would go back as far as baulders gater and icewinddale and do from time to time but never back to 16 bit.
If the demand for the games were there, then there would be nothing stopping people from making them and releasing them for PC. I don't see a need to pay $100 for a console that can't do anything better than a 10-year-old computer that was fairly low end even when it was new.
My SNES is still hooked up and I currently have 54 games. I think its safe to say that I love 16 bit games. That said, however, I would much rather buy a Dreamcast 2 than a new 16 bit console.
I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means - except by getting off his back.
I would use an emulator for those. I was playing Wizardry 1 and the original PoR last year on Dosbox and it was nice.
So, no, I wouldn't buy one.
Epic Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAigCvelkhQ&list=PLo9FRw1AkDuQLEz7Gvvaz3ideB2NpFtT1
https://archive.org/details/softwarelibrary_msdos?&sort=-downloads&page=1
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you playing an MMORPG?"
I like old school games, but there's a point that these games could be easily made for PC. $100 for a 16-bit system that only plays games is way too much. Maybe if it was turned into some sort of mini computer which could do more than games, and even then, there are already better systems, like modern phones.
I emulate the Sega Genesis, Sega CD and SNES on my PSP, LOL I think I'm down for more 16bit goodness.
My best gaming moment were during the 16bit era , my favorite game of all time ....
Lunar: The Silver Star on Sega CD, i've even played every version of the release up to the PSP.
So yes, I would buy a new 16bit console as long as developers were on board and the pricing was right. If not a console, I'm still down to see more old school games developed.
Wildstar (2013) & Elder Scroll Online (2013)
Playing: Diablo 3, WOW, Far Cry 3 & X-Com.
Enjoyed: WOW 5 1/2 yrs, LOTRO 3yrs, GW 1/2yr, DFO 1yr, EVE Online 3yrs, and Huxley (Beta).
Failed to impress: GW2 3months, Tera Online 6 months (best combat system in any MMO I've played) STO 1/4yr, Aion 1/2yr, AoC 1yr, CO, Fallen Earth, DDO, EQ2 1/2yr, WAR 1/2yr, Lineage 2 and FF XI 1/2yr, FF XIV.
There is absolutely no reason why you couldnt do any SNES level game on a PC -- or on XBOX Live -- or on any of the other potential options.
It would NOT need a new version of 16 bit console.
BUT If you are actually looking for modern 16 bit consoles -- that sort of thing DOES EXIST.
They are the kid consoles.
The little kids first video game type things still do use early chips which is why they are so cheap.
---
But at any rate, I do not see a need for a dedicated console to run new versions of early games. Just code'em for PC.
Part of what makes those old 16-bit games so fun is the nostalgia factor. I'm not sure we would share such fondness for new 16-bit games. It would really be up in the air as to whether or not those games would make the console worth buying. I think a better purchase would be one of those classic gaming console combos that play NES, SNES, and Genesis games all in one. I do some heavy emulation from time to time, but it just isn't the same as playing the real thing. Of course, nothing will fully bring back the nostalgia quite like hooking up one of the original old consoles.
I appreciate all the responses. I just wanted to clarify something. I realize that these games could be made for the PC or smart phones, etc, but my whole reasoning behind this was for the old school feel. Apparently there aren't many of us that want to go back to those simpler times.
Playing - Minecraft, 7 Days To Die, Darkfall:ROA, Path of Exile
Waiting for -
Also, there's the GBA, DS, etc, which already are established and have nice game selections.
Old school games are cool, but there are just already many systems with old school games available, with systems made by respected companies.
If you were planning to develop your own 16-bit console I'd say it'd be unwise to say the least as anything other than a hobby.
If you really want to make your own console, I think the best way to go would be to just put together systems from modern computer parts. Maybe you can get some sort of deal from ordering parts in bulk.
Unless you're incredibly rich, forget about any kind of custom specialized hardware.
Develop some sort of lightweight OS to interface with the specific hardware you've chosen, or base something off linux.
Then make an SDK for developers to make games with your system.
This way you'd have a pretty powerful system that people might actually want to buy. If you want to have strictly SNES games made for it then you can, but you could also have more modern games made on it.
I understand where you're coming from with this. I truly enjoyed 16-bit gaming and it did have a unique "feel" to it that other generations of gaming didn't quite capture. One thing that makes me NOT want to go back, is the fact that I've been spoiled by modern-day game controllers (I.e. X360 & PS3). Those old SNES and Genesis controllers were remarkable for their time, but I don't necessarily miss them. Like a lot of others have said, these types of games can easily be ported to an emulator, of some sort, BUT if a NEW 16-bit title was put onto a DVD or Blu-Ray disc, that could be one hell of a big game! I don't mind that cartridges are dead and gone, though you really couldn't beat the load times. Overall, I wouldn't buy a new 16-bit console, but I wouldn't be opposed to such a thing at all.
I don't think I'd shell out money for a new console.
.. however, I would definitely buy and play new games if they' were to be produced on older consoles. For example, if there were companies out there still creating SNES games I'd definitely give them a shot. I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when I say playing games on the console they were meant for are a lot more 'fun' than playing them on an emulator. It just has a different feel and experience. At least it does for me.
Probably wouldn't be a large demand for them, but I sure as heck would be interested! Like someone else said.. just for that old school feel.
Currently Playing:
Nothing.
I know it's not 16-bit but I really miss the Sega Dreamcast. So many great games like: ChuChu Rocket, Shenmue, Phantasy Star Online. Had such a great time with that console.
I think what you miss is the gameplay, more than the system itself.
Graphics, audio, and input methods weren't that powerful at the time - so developers had to concentrate more on story and mechanics.
That, and because the graphics, audio, and input methods weren't as developed, you had to rely more on your imagination. Sorta like when the movie finally comes out based on that book you really liked, it somehow isn't quite as good as the book was.
There isn't anything stopping game developers from making the same games they did on the 16-bit systems. Some do. But most AAA houses now spend their budgets on big CGI movies and voice acting, rather than the core of the game. Gaming has become more Hollywood and less Shakespere and Company
Also, check out
gog.com
Lots of old and older titles there, a lot of console remakes for the PC too. I don't know that they go back as far as 16-bit though.
My second favorite console of all time and your selections of games are some of my top favorites.
Wildstar (2013) & Elder Scroll Online (2013)
Playing: Diablo 3, WOW, Far Cry 3 & X-Com.
Enjoyed: WOW 5 1/2 yrs, LOTRO 3yrs, GW 1/2yr, DFO 1yr, EVE Online 3yrs, and Huxley (Beta).
Failed to impress: GW2 3months, Tera Online 6 months (best combat system in any MMO I've played) STO 1/4yr, Aion 1/2yr, AoC 1yr, CO, Fallen Earth, DDO, EQ2 1/2yr, WAR 1/2yr, Lineage 2 and FF XI 1/2yr, FF XIV.
No sorry..
I started out with a ataris and c64s and NES, SNES, megra drive and so on..
Sure I really enjoyed the game back then but I cant bring myself to play them again, after trying out a load of legal emulators that have been out recently i realised that..
its 2012 time to move on anything from that era just looks and plays ugly compared to modern day games, i tried some of my old favourites and could not get past a few mins of play..
You should know better at your age. Nostalgia is a dirty liar. Its fun to think about the good old days, but doing the things you did in those days wont make you happierl.
I'm really happy with iOS games for the moment. Also going to purchase: http://www.raspberrypi.org/
And see what sort of interesting tinkering can be accomplished.
http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1014633/Classic-Game-Postmortem
Wow, that sounds pretty cool, kinda sucks that they're using an ARM processor and not something x86 compatible though.
I'd also like it to have some sort of casing.
Will it play Contra? If so, then yes.