Reviving Retro: Why Arcade Consoles Are Making a Comeback

Arcade consoles, those venerable machines of yore. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about them, isn’t there? The clinking of coins, and the tactile feel of chunky buttons, it’s like stepping into a time capsule. Funny though, with all the high-def graphics and VR headsets today, why do these “ancient” relics still hold sway? Maybe it’s the camaraderie, gathering around a cabinet, cheering or jeering. It was more than just gaming. Then again, perhaps it’s just nostalgia playing tricks. Who needs that old stuff when we’ve got next-gen consoles at home? But no, don’t be mistaken. There’s still magic in those arcade machines, a simplicity that’s hard to replicate.

Timeless Quality of Arcades
Some things are timeless. Remember when we used to spend hours on end trying to beat that high score on Space Invaders? Modern games, they seem to come and go, here today, gone tomorrow. They focus so much on graphics and downloadable content but somehow miss the mark on longevity. Maybe it’s just me being old-fashioned. But modern games seem to be good at making a profit rather than being something gamers will remember 20 years from today. A single playthrough, maybe some multiplayer, and you’re buying the next title. Again, good for the industry in generating profit but not so good in creating any meaningful value. The timeless quality of arcades is my point number one.

Don’t Underestimate the Nostalgia Card
It’s not just about the games themselves but the whole atmosphere; arcades play hugely on the nostalgia card. Don’t underestimate the power of it. Isn’t it funny how a simple game of Pac-Man can bring back so many memories? People in their 30s now, especially those who grew up pumping quarters into “Street Fighter” or “Pac-Man” machines at the local mall (you know, when malls were the place), are at a point where their purchasing power is very good.  They’ve got jobs, most of them, anyway, and disposable income to match what manufacturers are asking for this “new-old” arcade console style of machines. It’s almost funny, though, how we’re all willing to fork out serious cash just to get a taste of our childhoods back. What’s even more funny, some of us would choose a round of Street Fighter over a lot of games offered today. Order a pizza, dim the lights, call your friends, and you have a mini arcade experience right in your room. Honestly, we’re not buying machines but memories. Manufacturers know it, and they’re cashing in. For some, it’s completely worth it.

The Iconic Status
Arcade games have this kind of status that new games, for all their flash and polish, just can’t seem to match. Pac-Man, Street Fighter, and Galaga, are names that still get a nod even from young kids who weren’t around when they were the latest craze. No matter how advanced graphics get or how realistic a game can feel, you don’t get that same feeling of, what’s the word? Authenticity, maybe. Arcade consoles also have this certain tactile satisfaction. I just can’t get that same connection with my fancy controllers at home, not quite. Sure, some might say, “But isn’t it all just old tech, though? Surely it can’t compare to VR or those hyper-real shooters,” but that misses the point, doesn’t it? Arcades are like vinyl records, they’ve got a soul. They represent something more than just games. The fact that kids born into the era of HD gaming still find these arcade consoles cool that’s gotta say something about them.

They Simply Look Cool
Arcade machines can transform any gaming room into something special. It’s not just about the games (though, yes, who can resist a quick bash at Pac-Man.) The aesthetics of arcades have a value of their own. You plonk one of those machines in the corner of your room, and suddenly the whole space just feels cooler. Like you’ve tapped into some unspoken cultural code. The way they stand out is with their colorful graphics and vintage logos. They can really add up to the atmosphere. For some people, it’s exactly about that. A conversation starter, or aesthetic appeal, rather than entertainment value. And that’s fine. Nothing wrong with that. It just proves that arcade game consoles and machines will never stop being cool.

The post Blog first appeared on Retromash.

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