Monday Tip-Off: You Don’t Have To Miss Games
We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off with some thoughts on how you don’t have to miss the basketball video games that you used to play.
Between our personal accounts and the NLSC’s socials, Dee and I frequently share short clips, highlight reels, and screenshots from various basketball video games. Because we love the classics, sometimes we’ll go a long way back with those posts. It seems that many of our fellow basketball gamers appreciate that hit of nostalgia, as we’ll get replies reminiscing about epic battles, players that were a blast to use, and interesting details that are impossible to forget. It’s fun to go back, which is why we have Wayback Wednesday and our deep dives on the NLSC Podcast.
However, in the midst of all the nostalgic delight, there’s a recurring comment that always jumps out at me: “I miss this game”, or words to that effect. It makes sense. There’s obviously a wistful aspect to nostalgia, wishing that you could go back to a specific time if only briefly. Of course, like favourite books, TV shows, and movies, you can revisit and continue to enjoy video games many years later. You don’t have to miss any of the classic games that we spotlight here or on our social media channels! At the same time, I do get it. There are a variety of reasons why you may not be able to play old video games, but if doing so is feasible, you needn’t have to miss them.
Right out of the gate though, let’s acknowledge the challenges of retro gaming, be it basketball or otherwise. First of all, there’s the matter of access. I’m fortunate in that I’ve held onto my games and consoles, and been able to expand upon my collection. I also have the knowhow to use emulators and get old PC games working on a modern system. In short, I have the games and the means to play them, which not everyone does. If you sold or gave away your games and consoles, then you’re not in a position to fire up old favourites whenever you like. I assume that many of these comments are from people who for one reason or another no longer have access to games they miss.
There’s also the matter of free time. Certain responsibilities must take precedent over leisure activities, and some people may no longer have time for gaming, current or retro. Similarly, if you have a limited amount of time to jump on the sticks, you may prefer the convenience and fresh experience of new games; particularly if gaming is also a way of staying in touch with friends through online multiplayer. Furthermore, your previous experiences with retro gaming may have left you disappointed. Old school design and outdated graphics can be too big of a barrier to overcome, and that’s completely understandable. You may miss those games, but not trust them to hold up.
When you have a predisposition for retro gaming, as well as access to a bevy of old favourites, it’s admittedly easy to say that you don’t have to miss the games you used to play. With that being said, it’s also not a hobby that’s completely out of reach for the average person. If you do still have your old games and consoles (or are willing to buy them again), if you are able to follow the guides to get old PC games to work on modern PCs, and if you do have the time to take a walk down memory lane, then you don’t have to miss the games that Dee and I are often talking and posting about! You can revisit them the same as any other form of entertainment that you’re nostalgic for.
At this point, it’s important to note that retro gaming doesn’t have to be a commitment or permanent preference. Dee and I have often revisited games that won’t necessarily become fixtures in our basketball gaming rotations, but are fun to dust off every once in a while. If you see us posting clips from Tecmo Super NBA Basketball and find yourself missing the game, you don’t need to commit to playing it as regularly as you did when you were a kid. You can just fire it up for an afternoon – perhaps play it with your own kids, assuming you’re able to coax them into giving something so ancient a fair chance – and enjoy a brief trip back to your earliest days on the virtual hardwood.
That may be all you need to indulge your nostalgia and get a little more fun out of an all-time favourite. Alternatively – and this will sound very strange coming from a keen advocate for retro basketball gaming – you may find that you won’t miss games quite as much after revisiting them and putting your nostalgia to the test. While I believe that there are many classics that still hold up superbly – and I’ve also been surprised by games that were better than I recalled – that certainly isn’t the case for all old titles. Personal preference is obviously a factor here. Revisiting an old basketball game may allow you to well and truly leave it in the past, while still appreciating the memories.
Or you might find that it’s still fun for you, and want to play it more! If that’s the case, why not? Because you should only ever play new games? Because those games are too old for other people’s tastes? Because some armchair psychologist on the internet claims that it means you have an unhealthy fixation on the past? I’m sorry, but that’s utter nonsense! Look, of course it’s important to be open to new things, and like I said, retro gaming is hardly a pledge to never play a modern video game ever again. When it comes to entertainment though, old favourites are common across all mediums, and enjoying the classics is seen as normal. Why should gaming be seen as the exception?
It’s a sign of how video games are still perceived differently to other entertainment media. Sure, they age in ways that other media doesn’t, as even old movies and shows with dated special effects can have engaging plots that stand the test of time. To that point though, if we can personally enjoy other forms of entertainment despite their age, why not video games? We don’t have to wistfully miss our favourite movies, TV shows, or songs and albums from artists we love. Generally speaking, there’s far less judgement when it comes to enjoying re-runs or binging old shows on a streaming service, watching a beloved movie yet again, or having a playlist of favourite songs.
That’s not to say that it isn’t there. Mind you, if there’s one good thing about aging into being an uncool adult, it’s that there’s no pressure to jump on every trend, irrespective of how much it actually appeals to you. Several years ago, a friend who I’m no longer close to was telling me that – among other unsolicited advice – I needed to listen to new music and artists. I asked: why? It’s not that I wasn’t open to that, but I enjoyed what I was listening to, and didn’t care whether it was popular or what other people thought of my musical tastes. We were no longer in high school – not that I cared then either – so who’s judging what I like, and why should their opinion even matter to me?
We see far too much of that online, and I believe it ends up getting in people’s heads. From the mere notion that continuing to play video games as an adult is an indication of arrested development, to the suggestion that retro gaming is a concerning sign of desperately yearning for the past, too many pseudo-intellectuals who should mind their own business are condescendingly judging other people’s hobbies. There’s a stark difference between wallowing in the past and never moving forward with your life, and occasionally reminiscing and enjoying old favourites. It’s disingenuous to say that nostalgia is a sign of an inability to grow up, or some other mental health issue.
Moreover, if nostalgia is a source of comfort, what’s wrong with that? Life can be tough sometimes, and we all need ways of relieving stress and cheering up when it’s been a lousy day. It’s well-documented that re-watching our favourite TV shows can be a helpful tool in that regard, so why should video games be any different? If a few hours with a beloved game brings you joy and helps you to relax when you need it, that’s time well-spent in my book. A new game can certainly do that as well, but you may be in the mood for a throwback. Bottom line: don’t miss old games just because some armchair psychologist or judgemental person believes it’s wrong to play them!
Of course, while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with retro gaming and making it your preferred way of hitting the virtual hardwood, once again it’s not something that you have to commit to. You can sprinkle in some retro gaming sessions in between playing the latest NBA 2K and other new titles, or just revisit a game on a whim. You can play through a mode if you want, but there’s nothing wrong with just jumping into some exhibition games whenever you feel like it. Revisiting a classic game can just be about having some quick fun or satisfying your curiosity if it’s been a long time since you played it. When you miss old games, a quick check-in may be all that you need.
As far as availability and accessibility is concerned, these days it’s fairly easy to get your hands on retro games and consoles. It’s admittedly not the best time to be getting into retro gaming as too many sellers are inflating prices, especially on eBay. Still, if you’re just after a single system and a few old favourites, shop around and you won’t end up breaking the bank. As for PC games, there are fixes and tutorials to get them up and running on modern systems. It may cost some money depending on what you still own, and a bit of troubleshooting may be required, but old games don’t have to be something that you wistfully miss. You can still make new memories with them!
I’ll admit that I may be misreading the tone when I see people lamenting that they miss certain basketball video games. Again, there are understandable reasons why people can’t revisit those titles, or spend much time gaming in general. Also, if you’re talking about more carefree days, then yes, those are harder to get back once you hit adulthood! Nevertheless, if you have the means to indulge in retro gaming and you would like to play those games that you miss, make it happen! They likely won’t all hold up for you – indeed, some of them may curb the desire to turn back the clock – but you might just find that there’s still fun to be had with the games you can’t forget.
The post Monday Tip-Off: You Don’t Have To Miss Games appeared first on NLSC.