Metaquestion: What's the best way to talk about retro stuff?

[J T]

I love retro games and that's what brought me to this site. However, I sometimes find it hard to start threads about them on the forums. I have nothing against new games, but I feel like I don't do enough to keep this forum retro.

It's so much easier to talk about what is new. For example, I can't really say "Have you guys played this Super Mario Bros game? I'm playing it right now and it's pretty sweet!", but I could say that for any new game that just came out and people would reply. Also, the forum has seen way too many threads where people list their Top 10 or Top 100 games for whatever system or genre. Those lists are the obvious way to talk retro, but once it's been done, there's not point in doing it again, so 20 forum members will jump done your throat if you try. The classic "old school VS new school" battle also just ends up in redundant yammering about things that barely make any sense.

I sometimes try threads that are something like "Which games best represent the _________ concept?" or "Recommend me a game that has _________ unique element." That's good sometimes. I also like the Together Retro idea, though I haven't participated in awhile.

Any other ideas for good retro conversation starters?

[flojocabron]

I have one.

Did your parents know what they were getting you into?

Did you mom and pop just buy you the Dreamcube 2 knowing that you would make games one of your life long passions?

do they support your habits or try to quell them?

Do they think you are going through a phase? Did they let you do what you want or intervine if it got too serious?

Or were they right there with you, or waiting in line(for 8yr old you) for that midnight release?

Feel free to make this another thread!

[Blu]

The together retro is quite honestly a great discussion for all of those reasons you've mentioned, JT. I've seen a few threads that do get out of hand, like the top 10 ______ or let's name 100 ______. However, there's some interesting discussions in the "Games as Culture" section. One of my favorites is "Game Rooms & Home Theater" and makes me feel more connected to the community when I can actually see games that I also have a passion for. Collectively, I should speak up more in that regard rather than just saying it out loud that ____ has an interest in _____, that's awesome as I am in front of my computer screen.

Other Ideas: I'd like to incorporate some retro titles or meet-ups for newer games via PSN or XBL. It can be retro rereleased games we co-op/compete in.
We could also facilitate some participation in forum-based leaderboards on retro titles.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Honestly, it's impossible for me to talk about retro games, and games in general, the normal way I like to.

While playing them.

I love talking about games as I play them. Mainly because I can spew unfiltered thoughts right out. It's one of the reasons I like playing a new online game with a few friends since it's hard to get some of them local nowadays. We can all jump in, discuss things as we find them and learn the game, and it's pretty great.

Together Retro is the closest thing we have, which is why I've been sort of drawn into it as of late.

I had an interesting discussion with a friend who was with me while playing Lightening Force, and while he played it as well. He's never actually played a SHMUP besides Galaga, so he provided some really interesting perspective on the genre and game from an outsiders perspective.

[gtmtnbiker]

For example, I can't really say "Have you guys played this Super Mario Bros game? I'm playing it right now and it's pretty sweet!",

I don't see anything wrong with this. If there isn't an existing thread discussing it, start a new one. People who are interested in talking about the topic will jump in. Others will ignore it.

[noiseredux]

For example, I can't really say "Have you guys played this Super Mario Bros game? I'm playing it right now and it's pretty sweet!",

I don't see anything wrong with this. If there isn't an existing thread discussing it, start a new one. People who are interested in talking about the topic will jump in. Others will ignore it.

this was pretty much my thought. Even if we're all retro gamers, we haven't all played every game ever.

[J T]

Maybe you guys are right, but whenever I do that I think of this cartoon:

[noiseredux]

Maybe you guys are right, but whenever I do that I think of this cartoon:

but... you're on a retro forum. We're all living in different sections of the past.