Let’s just get this out of the way: I have a fairly large library of old video games, affectionately referred to by those in-the-know as “Retro Games.” From the well-known likes of Atari 2600, NES, Intellivision, and Genesis to the lesser known Jaguar, 3DO, Neo Geo Pocket Color, and so forth. Hell, I have a Windows 95 computer that I still play original games on… on original hardware! So, needless to say, my closet is balls deep in storage boxes and bins full of games. When the Beegees ask me, “how deep is your love?” I just point to these boxes as the answer. I have my childhood neighbor (and still dear friend) to thank for igniting the flame, and I have a little timing and luck to thank for fanning that flame.

By the time the late ’90s rolled around, I was in a transition from being a broke pre-teen to having a few bucks in my pocket as a young teenager. Not a lot, but a few bucks. That “timing and luck” mentioned above comes into play in this part of the story: Around this time, gaming stores (local Raleigh, NC ones like Buy-Rite and chain ones like Funcoland and Babbages) were liquidating their old ’80s and early ’90s carts, haphazardly tossing games into wire-frame bins for a mere $1 to $5 each. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other local thrift stores were also loaded to the gills with bargain-priced games. Enter a young and poor Nerdberry (that’s me). I couldn’t afford the new stuff, so I figured I’d start building a collection based on the ones I COULD afford. This was, of course, LONG before retro-collecting was a thing, so finding and acquiring high volumes of games was NOT difficult in the slightest, nor was it really all that expensive. Things that cost hundreds of dollars now could be routinely found for, well, just DOLLARS!

To Emulate, Play Natively, or Enjoy a Remaster?

I’ve gone on record before to say: emulating games is not for me. There’s a level of authenticity I want when I’m craving a retrogaming sesh. I want the OG experience. From finding an XL multi-plug adapter just to hook up the Sega Genesis / CD / 32X monstrosity, to thumbing through Unofficial Prima Guides, or finding cheat codes in an old Tips & Tricks Magazine… The minute details and steps are as important as playing the game itself. Digging through boxes a couple times per year is also an exciting adventure, much like a treasure hunt or one of those overpriced “gold-mine sifting” things at the amusement parks. You just never know what cool and exciting thing you’ll dig up! So needless to say, original hardware, accessories, software, and experiences are very important to me. Possibly more important than the actual gameplay experience itself.

But as time goes on, many new things are coming to the forefront that surprisingly lessen the need to delve so deep into authenticity:

1.) Classic games are being remastered and released on new hardware at an unprecedented rate.

2.) Developers, such as Nintendo, are keen on the “experience” factor, providing wireless controllers for the Switch that are exact replicas of their respective retro systems (NES, SNES, N64, and Genesis so far).

3.) The quality-of-life features really make retro-gaming much more enjoyable for a casual gamer such as myself.

4.) A poor trend in my life of having less freetime to devote to scouring my disorganized closet for the next lucky piece of gaming history.

My sad and unfortuante gaming collection. 90% of it is stored here, probably getting damaged by humidity and a rabbid unstable NC climate.

This is not to say that my entire collection will ever be re-released on modern consoles, nor is it to say I’m interested in replacing every system and game I own with some digital or modern version. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid the remasters, the ease of booting up the games, and the sheer cool-factor of the entire experience. Generally these remakes, remasters, collections come with ample artwork, ease-of-life features, save states, etc. Most of the time, they actually IMPROVE the original game without messing with the formula. Without even realizing it, a big portion of my Switch collection is one big pile of remasters, reboots, retro collections, etc. For fun, let’s run down the short list of Switch games I own (in no particular order)

*games in bold are retro-inspired and/or remasters/re-releases.

• Super Smash Bros Ultimate
• The Legend of Zelda, Link’s Awakening
• Quake
• Quake II
• TMNT Shredder’s Revenge
• TMNT Cowabunga Collection
• Super Mario 3D All-Stars
• Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
• Sonic Mania
• Sonic Team Racing
• Sonic Colors Ultimate
• Untitled Goose Game
• Toree
• Sonic Origins Plus
• Cat Quest
• South Park: The Fractured But Whole
• Descenders
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
• Return to Monkey Island
• Mario Golf: Super Rush
• Nickelodeon Kart Racers
• Super Bomberman R
• 1-2 Switch
• Ryan’s Rescue Squad, ugh awful
• Paw Patrol, less awful than Ryan’s Rescue Squad
• Big Brain Academy
• IN THE MAIL or on PRE-ORDER FROM LRG
  • Jurassic Park Classic Collection
  • Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties (yikes!)

Additionally, Nintendo Online subscribers have access to about 150 games (give or take) from the 80s and 90s directly on their Switch. Easy access. Easy playing. And my library barely scratches the surface of available retro releases, compilations, and remasters. There’s Metroid Prime Remaster, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Resident Evil HD Remake, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2, Command & Conquer Remastered Collection, Wipeout Omega Collection, Gargoyles Remastered, Castlevania Advance Collection, and the list goes on and on.

My tiny, yet adored, Switch set-up.

Playing retro games is easier today than it has ever been, and I’m getting on board. I’m currently high on Quake II which is absolutely delightful, and Sonic Origins Plus delivers oodles of classic fun, and I’m surprised at my love for Return to Monkey Island. I think it’s safe to say that retro gaming (and possibly “nostalgia” in general) has finally surpassed that whole “nerds only” phase. It’s past the level of being considered “niche.” And if your pockets are deep enough, there’s a seemingly endless amount of modernized retro enjoyment you can experience today.

With the popularity of everything vintage, retro, classic, etc. (whatever you want to call it) these days, and developers finally listening to the fans, the sky is the limit for remasters, reboots, compilations, and more. I am surprised to admit to myself that I’m on board with all of this. While I’ll never get rid of my retro gaming collection, it’s an exciting day and time we live in. These retro game re-releases are absolutely brilliant in execution and many remain truly faithful to the original experience. I am a fan and I am excited for the future!