Retro Gaming Culture

“It was magic!”—that’s how most gamers would describe it, after powering on their first handheld gaming console. At a time when games could only be played on desktop PCs or consoles, these devices allowed people to play their favorite video games while waiting for the bus, in summer camp, or at the dentist’s office. Thanks to companies like Mattel Electronics (now Mattel), Coleco, and Nintendo, they made gaming on the go and fun.

However, in a report published by the International Data Corporation (IDC) and App Annie for the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013; it shows that more consumers are willing to pay more for gaming applications (apps), compared to the stand-alone games released by Sony or Nintendo. With tech companies like Verizon supporting the mobile industry, game developers are starting to rethink their strategy to cope with the competition.

As sad as it may seem, I still believe that there are gamers out there who are still patronizing our beloved portable gaming devices. With that in mind, I’d like to share my old school handheld console experience, and how it shaped me as a gamer.

Game & Watch

Ask people what a Game & Watch (G&W) is, and the first thing that they’ll ask is, “Is it a smart watch?”. As funny as it may seem, this is the usual answer I get when I ask this question. Since we live in the so-called Smart Age, this could be the reason why this answer came across their minds. Fortunately for me, I was able to play one of these devices and it was awesome. At first glance, you would mistake it for a Game Boy Micro, since they look alike. However, unlike its grandchildren—the Game Boy and DS family line—it only has one built-in game in it. Even though each unit only had one game to play, I had fun playing games like Parachute, Octopus, and Donkey Kong 2. Out of these three games, I liked Octopus the best. It was really challenging to dodge the octopus’ tentacles and get as much treasure as possible. Their technologies may be simple, but each game will really eat up your time and patience (sometimes).

Game Boy Color

Basically, it’s the first handheld that supported backward compatibility, which was a real innovative move by Nintendo. Aside from its standard Berry (C), Grape (O), Kiwi (L), Dandelion (O), and Teal (R) exterior colors, it had a colored screen, which was a departure from its predecessor, the Game Boy. Well, I was fortunate enough to own its Clear Black version of the Game Boy Color (GBC) and it was used heavily for gaming, maxing out its 2 rechargeable AA batteries. I actually played R-Type DX—it was relatively slower on the GBC but fun; Donkey Kong Island, Super Mario Bros Deluxe, and Dragon Warrior III. The GBC definitely gave me the gaming fix I needed, especially during those long family road trips we usually had.

PlayStation Portable (PSP)

After wearing out my trusty Game Boy Color, I had to buy something new and better. That time, I had my PlayStation II, which was basically my main gaming device. Since I was out of the house most of the time, I needed something more portable. Thanks to my friend’s urging, I finally bought a PlayStation Portable (PSP) and went for the newer, slimmer version—the PSP-3000. It was definitely an upgrade to the older PSP-1000, which my brother owned and it featured a 64MB system software. I was also able to snag the Final Fantasy: Crisis Core ice silver-engraved edition (I’m a huge Zack Fair fan!). Yes, I played Crisis Core a lot and if some gamers didn’t like its new battle system, I loved it a lot. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to complete his sought-after Genji Equipment—I was only able to get the Genjii Helm and Glove. Another game that I loved playing on the PSP was Mega Man Powered Up, and it was in 3D. The designs may be too Chibi-like or cute, but the game-play was still very Mega Man-ish. I also loved that the developers included two new Robot Masters: Time Man and Oil Man. Another great feature of the game was its Challenge Mode, which gave you one hundred more stages to complete. Until now, I’m still waiting for news if Capcom plans to release its sequel.

Since the retirement of my PSP, I now have my smartphone to get my gaming fix. Looking back, these handheld gaming devices definitely helped me become a better gamer. These portable gaming systems may have reached their prime, but they’re still icons in their own right. As the gaming industry faces a new dawn, I’m still hoping that they won’t just fade into the pages of history. Rather, take the lead into its promising future.

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Nadia Hyeong usually writes about gadgets, apps and games. During her free time, she appreciates classic rock and art. Follow her on Twitter and Twitter.