Don't share that secret!

[CRTGAMER]

Magazines where a massive source of cheat codes, dont see how anybody would think to do any of the button presses these things needed.

Finding combos mainly involved experimenting, which was more of a pain than normal in those days as nobody thought to put a training mode into fighters then

I agree. Gamepro was my usual source for cheat codes, combos, puzzle tips, etc. Nintendo Power of course has some walkthroughs and tips for games on those consoles, but Gamepro was really where it was at for hardcode info.

There was a ton of experimentation and many wasted quarters. When someone at school figured out a new move they really did have 15 minutes of fame until someone else found the next move or something different. I even had my moment in the spotlight when I mastered all of Scorpion and Raiden's moves and fatalities in the first Mortal Kombat.

Life pre-internet involved a lot more independent thinking and research in my opinion. While the internet is a great source of information and I wouldn't trade it for the world, it has made us a bit lazy.

Even for older Arcades there were Guides.

[Hatta]

For example the Skulls in Halo 2 were incredibly hard to find and after 3 years i'd found all except one.
snip
When did video games become about points and scores and no longer fun and craziness?

Huh? Video games have always been about points and scores, ever been to an arcade?

And wandering around aimlessly looking for virtual junk can in no way be described as fun.

[finerion]

Huh? Video games have always been about points and scores, ever been to an arcade?

And wandering around aimlessly looking for virtual junk can in no way be described as fun.

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Most roleplaying games and many adventure games can be described as nothing more than going around looking for "virtual junk". How many heart containers in the Zelda series are hidden away in hard to reach areas? Not necessary to complete the game but great fun to find.

Also, what about all of the games that don't keep track of points or scores? I think the bigger point being made is that gamers can sometimes get so wrapped up in trying to acquire achievements or to beat a high score that the game is no longer about fun but becomes a chore.

[gennss]

lol I remember some of my friends wouldn't tell me the tricks in zelda, some of the combinations in punch out etc...

[YoshiEgg25]

Magazines where a massive source of cheat codes, dont see how anybody would think to do any of the button presses these things needed.

Justin Bailey.

[Hatta]

Most roleplaying games and many adventure games can be described as nothing more than going around looking for "virtual junk". How many heart containers in the Zelda series are hidden away in hard to reach areas? Not necessary to complete the game but great fun to find.

Not really. If I find a heart piece I'll grab it, but I won't spend one minute searching for a heart piece or skulltula or whatever that I don't absolutely need. And if the game forces me to go searching, I'll curse every minute of it.

I'd rather go up against Ganon with 3 or 4 hearts, spend a few hours practicing and feel really good about getting through the challenge instead of spending that same time searching for hearts and then breezing through the end boss. The key is that when I'm fighting a boss, I'm constantly improving. I learn with every battle one more way to do damage, and avoid being killed. Searching for items is nothing but rote.

Also, what about all of the games that don't keep track of points or scores?

Games that keep scores predate those that don't. Pong kept score. The Odyssey came with pencil and paper score sheets. etc., etc. It's not accurate to claim that games are all about score now, when score was a much bigger part of gaming in the past.

I think the bigger point being made is that gamers can sometimes get so wrapped up in trying to acquire achievements or to beat a high score that the game is no longer about fun but becomes a chore.

Trying to find things is a chore. The moment I have to ask myself "where am I supposed to go now?" is the moment I stop having fun in a game. And really, when you think about it isn't "collect all 100 skulltulas" an achievement?

[Lord_Santa]

this bastard is still holding out on me:

[Curlypaul]

Magazines where a massive source of cheat codes, dont see how anybody would think to do any of the button presses these things needed.

Justin Bailey.

Who the hell is justin bailey?

Interesting point about RPGs and collectibles. The OCD part of my feels compelled to collect all of them and win every mini game etc etc but it does get to be boring and puts me off starting an RPG.

I'm just a few hours in to Wind Waker and I cant decided whether or not to ransack every inch of the game or just to play for fun.

[Frizz.Meister]

You both raise good points. Personally i need both, for example ill happily wonder around Oblivion searching for hidden caves and villages for an hour or so. But sometimes i just need to try and beat my GigaWing highscore. For me it comes down to what mood im in, and also how long i have available to play, which for the most part is rarely mroe than 30mins. I guess thats why i do appreciate the freedom and exploration when i get it, as for me having the time to do so is a rarity. Furthermore there is no doubt for me that if i spent 2hours plus a day on any sort of exploring my mind would go nuts.

Prehaps people just have more available time to dedicated to video games as price is no longer a restrictive factor. Once you buy the game you can spend as long as you want on it. (excpet MMOs but they're a world i dont understand)

[YoshiEgg25]

Who the hell is justin bailey?

http://metroid.wikia.com/wiki/Metroid#JUSTIN_BAILEY