Best Gaming Generation

[jalexbrown]

So I'm curious what everyone considers the peak. For me, it would have to be the 16-bit generation. I'm friends with a few people who think every generation is better than the one before it, and the only basis I think they have is graphics. I'm not going to say that graphics don't count for something, but they're not the sole ground to base the decision on. I'm not going to say there would be no legitimate reason to consider this generation the best; I'm just saying that graphics isn't a good enough of a reason. I like to look at pretty things too, but I'd prefer things that are functional over things that look nice.

[The Stryker]

It's all subjective.

I'm enjoying this current generation though.

[jalexbrown]

Originally Posted by Stryker

It's all subjective.

I'm enjoying this current generation though.

I by no means meant to imply that I don't enjoy this generation. If we count DS/PSP, I love this generation. All of the classic Squaresoft 16-bit DS remakes/ports have been enough to make me love this generation. It's just that as time goes on, I feel less and less attached to this generation. I guess I've grown distant from my 360 and Wii. I mean, my 360 gets turned on perhaps once a week at best; the Wii is lucky to get its power button hit once a month. I'm looking at buying Dissidea, and that would make me turn on my PSP; otherwise, it hasn't been on since the last time I played Crisis Core. My DS was on to play Chrono Trigger and...well...that's it for the poor DS. I guess my disappointment with this generation is that it seems like it's passed the point where it surprises me anymore. I like the current-gen to surprise me, and this gen's "surprises" have been disappointing for a while now.

That's a lot of rambling to not say much, I guess.

[The Stryker]

Got that right.

[ThirdMarioBro]

16-bit. Nuff' said.

Okay, not enough said. I was may have been a little kid for much of the 8-bit years, but I remember them clearly. 8-bit was the dawn of a brand new world. Concepts were revolutionized, and ideas were pioneered, but the 16-bit generation was an age of refinement. Some of the greatest games ever made were created between 1989 and 1996 for the stalwart Genesis and almighty Super Nintendo. In fact, 1994-1995 ranks as my favorite period for video games ever. I actually got teary back in the day when I had to say goodbye to the SNES. I remember the farewell EGM gave it in their yearly buyer's guide. Of course, the N64 was about to usher in a brave new world of discovery. Sure, early 3D looked like ****, but the gameplay was immortal. 1999 ranks as my second favorite period in gaming. N64 in its prime, PlayStation's best year, and Dreamcast's immortal debut (with Sonic the Hedgehog's last ride).

I won't lie when I say that my love affair with gaming has been getting weaker with each passing year. New innovation seems to be just an excuse to tack waggle onto everything. Now Microsoft and Sony are getting in on the wave. New demographics are forcing developers to diversify their portfolio with shovel-ware and the games still being made for the "core" gamer are being restricted to a very narrow selection of Western approved shooters, sandbox games, formulaic J-RPGs, and generic stealth action starring generic bald space marine of the month.

I still adore the games that I play, but I'm buying fewer every year. Perhaps its because me and Nintendo are just about done. I don't know. I'll be here until then dying day when waggle runs us all away, but I do miss that feeling of wonderment when I turn on a game. Everything I play today follows a blueprint so closely that I pretty much know exactly what's coming before I even start.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by ThirdMarioBro

the "core" gamer are being restricted to a very narrow selection of Western approved shooters, sandbox games, formulaic J-RPGs, and generic stealth action starring generic bald space marine of the month.

This simply isn't true. Just because you don't look outside the AAA titles doesn't mean games that deviate from the norm don't exist. In fact, there are more insane, outside-the-box titles getting published now than ever before.

And I hate the argument that games now are "all the same" and that 16-bit gaming was more diverse. What the f*ck were you people playing in the 90's? While the current generation is overblown with shooters and sandbox games, the 16-bit generation was spewing absolutely sh*t character-driven platformers out its asshole. How about all of those generic beat-em-ups? Side-scrolling shooters? People complain about JRPG's NOW, but what the hell was so much better about them 15 years ago? You know what was better? IT WAS 15 YEARS AGO! We were all God damn kids! Everything seemed better! Biggest example ever, Final Fantasy 7.

With very few exceptions, games aren't like movies, books or music. They become outdated far faster, and an outdated game simply isn't good anymore. The classics endure, but games that may have been fantastic at one point may be an absolute piece of sh*t by the time the next gen roles around.

What I'm trying to get at is that my tastes have evolved along with gaming. I'm not stuck in the past, I'm not worrying about the future, I'm playing what's up now and enjoying it. I'm not condemning what came before as unplayable, some games from the 8, 16 and 32-bit generations are still the best ever made, but there is no definitive best generation.

but I do miss that feeling of wonderment when I turn on a game. Everything I play today follows a blueprint so closely that I pretty much know exactly what's coming before I even start.

Again, this is something I just can't agree with. You were a kid, there was very little information about games. This has nothing to do with the games themselves, rather the fact that to be considered noteworthy, a game has to release new information on almost a daily basis. If you want wonderment, stop following sh*t on the internet, read magazines, or just walk into a store and buy a game based on the cover.

[XERO]

Even though my heart is always down for the 8 to 16-bit eras, I play whatever I consider awesome or cool. Whether it's a basic beat-em-up, another graphic-hauled shooter, or the hardest game on the block.

But overall, honestly, the best generation to me is what I can afford.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Benvenuto

But overall, honestly, the best generation to me is what I can afford.

LOL! Most logical reply this thread will ever get.

[XERO]

Originally Posted by Peanut

LOL! Most logical reply this thread will ever get.

Haha, no kidding.

I'd already have a PS3 if it wasn't the price of the Hubble.

[Barkworm]

My favourite generations are both 16 bit and last gen. Simply because of the memories.

[jalexbrown]

Originally Posted by Peanut

LOL! Most logical reply this thread will ever get.

I agree 100% with this.

[Dr. Doom]

Originally Posted by Benvenuto

Haha, no kidding.

I'd already have a PS3 if it wasn't the price of the Hubble.

That's not really a fair claim to make anymore, since the PS3 Slim and the 360 Elite are both $300, and frankly for what you're getting, the PS3 is technically the better value with things like Blu-Ray, built in Wi-Fi and free online. The 360 also does not come with an HDMI cable and I believe the PS3 does, though I could be wrong. That doesn't necessarily mean it's the better system or anything quite like that, but it certainly gives you more for what you're paying straight out of the box.

[Mecha Cow]

The PS3 does not come with an HDMI cable. However, I agree that it's no longer fair to complain about the price, especially considering the Wii is still $250.

[Peanut]

I still don't get why they suddenly dropped the HDMI from the Elite 360. At least it still comes with component cables, which I'm pretty sure the PS3 still doesn't do.

[jalexbrown]

I don't think $299 is an unfair price at all, but the problem I have is that when I was ready to buy a next gen console, it was still $399. I'm very glad they announced a price drop; one of these days, I may be able to get enough cash to drop on one. But the drop took a long time, and a lot of people waited and waited and finally decided to get a 360.

[Dr. Doom]

From what I understand, the Elite does not have component, just composite.

[GK Punk]

I had the most fun in the 16-Bit era, so I'll go with that.

[raphael_is_cool]

I'd go with the current generation so far. So much choice in terms of types of games. Not just in terms of genre but also the style; a quick 'play every now and then' game or a long, absorbing game, for example. And with stuff like XBLA not everything's a full price title either so there's a great deal of 'little' games coming out.

[ThirdMarioBro]

Originally Posted by raphael_is_cool

I'd go with the current generation so far. So much choice in terms of types of games. Not just in terms of genre but also the style

This statement makes me laugh so hard. Right now, things are more stagnant than ever. Sure, if you love bald space marines defeating alien scum and endless shades of "gritty", then this generation must have been made for you.

[raphael_is_cool]

Did you just completely ignore everything Peanut just said? I'll quote the most important part.

Originally Posted by Peanut

This simply isn't true. Just because you don't look outside the AAA titles doesn't mean games that deviate from the norm don't exist. In fact, there are more insane, outside-the-box titles getting published now than ever before.

And I hate the argument that games now are "all the same" and that 16-bit gaming was more diverse. What the f*ck were you people playing in the 90's? While the current generation is overblown with shooters and sandbox games, the 16-bit generation was spewing absolutely sh*t character-driven platformers out its asshole. How about all of those generic beat-em-ups? Side-scrolling shooters?

Seriously, take off the rose-tinted sunglasses or just open your ****ing eyes. Geez.