As I continue to explore the Xbox 360, I see that the Xbox is smart. That is, Microsoft is smart (sometimes). They know computers so they created a game system that acts like a computer. Well, consoles are just fancy computers anyway, but the Xbox takes gaming to where computers were 15 years ago…and that’s a good thing.
And that good thing is game demos. Or as they were called then, shareware. Even with full games only $5-$10 on the XBL Arcade, I still demoed over half of them before I made my purchases. I think all too often the excitement and nostalgia takes over for the impulse buy. Such is the case with the Wii’s virtual console.
You see the game and go, “aw heck yeah, that game rocked,” so you drop your five bills and give it a go only to find out the game was actually better in your memory that it is on screen. I guess you can’t really demo an old Nintendo game, but even for the new WiiWare, a demo would be awesome and would have saved me a few bucks here and there.
So while the downloadable goodness is a great touch, Xbox - or rather, the developers - did one of the smartest things I’ve seen happen in video games in a long time. Practical, wonderful, remakes.
A lot of games get sequels on new systems but rarely do they get a simple make over. Many of the arcade games we remember as being great still are, but lets admit it, a fresh coat of paint is always a good thing. Plus, if you want to draw in players beyond the retro crowd (like me), that new eye candy may be the way to do it.
The first XBLA game I bought was 1942: Joint Strike. It’s a remake of 1942, of which I remember from the NES. I loved the the game on the NES but admit it was less that awesome too look at. It was bare, the action a little slow, really bad music…but all due more to the limits of the console and not the game designers. Now these makers can go back and make the game look like they wanted back then but keep the same gameplay and action that made the game fun.
This 1942 remake got just what it needed. Updated graphics, more action, faster action, a little extended gameplay, and leaderboards. The game looks great even on my tiny TV. Slap that puppy on a nice big HD-like set and it would look incredible. And other titles are getting similar makeovers. Even the basics like Pac-Man, Tempest, and Asteroids got a good redo to keep things fresh. (But do you really need to demo Pac-Man? Honestly.)
As I’ve been studying toys, there are three areas where companies put there effort. About 40% goes to freshening up old classics with new concepts and eye candy, 40% goes to license deals, and 20% goes to new things. The great part is, these games have been out of the stream for so long that now arcade games are a breath of fresh air from all the Grand Theft Autos and Halos of the world. We can only hope the kids are scooping these up and not just us “retro” gamers.
The low prices for downloads will keep many playing for a long, long time. I’ll drop $10 for a decent game almost any day. Toss me a title and genre I love and I’ll keep buying it. Bring on 1943! The value for downloaded games can’t be beat.
I’m glad the arcade games are making a comeback…and I hope it lasts. The style, action, low entry barrier, and quick play make them unbeatable. And with new on-line play, you can extend the game to well beyond what you could before. You won’t have to drag your Frogger cabinet across the street to prove anything anymore. (Although if you have a Frogger cabinet, you’re not too worried)
