Video and casino games have come a long way from the 8- and 16-bit arcades of the 1970s. Over the past five decades, technology has transformed gameplay and in-game graphics, delivering 3D graphics and immersive virtual environments. How do these earlier games compare to the games you play today? Are modern games aesthetically better than retro games?
When was the golden age of retro games?
Arcade video games ruled the gaming world from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Before you could log onto an online casino like Betway and play poker or slots, you had to visit a mall or local entertainment center to play Pong, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, or Missile Command.
These games marked the golden era of arcade games. In the late 1980s, they ushered in 16-bit, fourth-generation retro game consoles like the Super Game Boy and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), the age of games like Super Mario World and Sonic.
When did modern games enter the market?
Modern video games entered the market between 2000 and 2010. During this time, gaming expanded into more genres as developers tapped into the power of console gaming. Popular titles from this era include Grand Theft Auto, Fallout, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft.
The 2010s into 2022 saw technology and innovation further revolutionize gaming. Mobile gaming took over from console and PC gaming, and online casinos turned the budding iGaming industry into a multi-billion-dollar market. You could not play blackjack, poker, and baccarat from your phone.
How did game graphics change?
Early developers rendered retro games in 8- and 16-bit 2D-pixel graphics that worked well for the CRT screens of the time. These games, popular today for the nostalgia they inspire, had a charming esthetic appeal with simple, straightforward graphics and controls.
As technology expanded the industry’s reach, it also improved in-game graphics. Developers moved away from pixel art, embracing 3D technology and its power to create hyper-realistic, high-definition graphics. Characters were rendered in high-end textures amidst special effects and lighting to create more immersive gaming experiences. Although many modern games maintain the primary mechanics of retro games, the focus turned to immersion and open-world simulation.
How are modern slots different from older slots?
The slots you might play today on an online gambling site like Betway are an excellent example of how game graphics have changed over the years.
From simple icons and stickers, slot reels are now vivid enactments of themes like Egyptian Deserts and Pirate Ships. The games now feature 3D graphics, non-player characters who add to the storyline, and open-world environments designed for exploration.
Why do retro games look blurry on modern screens?
8- and 16-bit graphics were developed for CRT TVs. Modern TVs with higher resolutions need to expand retro game pixels to fill the screen, often blurring the image.
However, retro games look great on the screens they were designed for.
Old School vs. Modern Graphics: Which Is Better?
It depends. Some players argue that modern games’ enhanced graphics come at the expense of gameplay, that the elaborate 3D elements and virtual environments overcrowd the game. In this case, retro games offer more straightforward, cleaner esthetics, where mastering the game is your foremost goal.
On the other hand, some players find retro games too simple and primitive and lacking in the immersive features that have come to define modern gaming. There is also the issue of finding a screen that renders retro games well. Ultimately, it comes down to personal taste and how you like your games. Both options have merits and are famous for good reasons.
This is the general editors account for Old School Gamer Magazine. Press releases and other general information sent to Old School Gamer are often posted here.
