Where are the classics?

[mako72]

Ok I have a little rant to give right now. This thought just popped into my head. So lets say my original cd of U2s Joshua tree album is scratched. I can go to best buy and purchase a brand new one that is identical to the original. Or I could buy an old movie that was originally released on VHS and I could get it on DVD. The CD section in best buy is gigantic and its full of old crap and a bunch of one hit wonder bands. I mean why do they have such a huge CD section when CDs are pretty much out the door and everything is digital now. So I ask. Why cant I find classic games in any retail store. Its like they will only support the two current generations. So When the next playstation comes out you will no longer be able to buy a new ps2 game. What if I want to buy a brand new copy of sonic the hedgehog cause mine no longer works? (actually I have never had a cartridge break). I dont want a compilation of classics. I want one in its own box with beautiful original artwork.

I also wish the Xbox live arcade games would be sold in individual packaging. To me, Braid is better than half of the 360 games on store shelves and it deserves a box. I want to hold the the actual game!

Anyway I already know the answer and it always is money. But I mean come on how much money is the record industry making from producing new copies of some no name band from the mid eighties.

[AwesomeMonstar]

Well, unlike cds and movies, as the next generation of consoles are released, most people don't touch thier old ones. Cd's and dvd's and the like all are still commonly used, while a snes, genesis, and atari are all used by the small amount of gamers like us. Most people want whats new so stores get new games and companys stop production of old games in favor of new ones. If a company or a store sold classics, it wouldn't sell all that well and they would lose money.

in otherwords
All cd's run on corrent cd players, the same can't be said for games.
As time goes on games get more complex and people want the next, prettiest game out.
Us gamers who like the old days are outnumbered.

[RemyC]

If you look hard enough you can find VHS players. Which does mean that manufacturers realize their is still a want for them. With the appropriate marketing I believe that classic/retro games could still be sold within commercial franchises. Alot of my friends make fun of me for bringin out my dreamcast or genesis. I get the expected, "dude dreamcast SUCKS". After a few minutes of playing Gunstar heroes, or Soul Calibur their jaws are dropped and they don't want to leave my house.
Its not that people dont like Retro games, they just never had access to them when they were around, so they dont understand what they are missing...people are afraid of what they dont know, so they shun it.

[RadarScope1]

Access to the classics -- or lack thereof -- is one of the really big problems with the games industry, IMO. You're absolutely right - why can't we have these great old games at our fingertips? Why must we hunt down scratched copies at Goodwill? Digital downloads are fixing this problem to a point by making it more attractive for publishers to re-release rock-solid classic games to those who want them.

I hear ya on wanting a great box, but -- that's going away entirely. Eventually we'll be getting all our games through services like Steam, XBL, PSN, etc. It might be a while before the really big titles are all DLC but it's gonna happen.

[Droid party]

Alot of my friends make fun of me for bringin out my dreamcast or genesis. I get the expected, "dude dreamcast SUCKS". After a few minutes of playing Gunstar heroes, or Soul Calibur their jaws are dropped and they don't want to leave my house.

I know the story. But as soon as I pull out 2 player Ikaruge or Marvel vs Capcom they soon shutup.

The retro revival is really feeling like it's taking off. My very short experience so far with XBLA seems to be a testament to the fact that peoples tastes are swinging toward older methods of solid gameplay over loud noises and shiny things.