Backward compatibility on game consoles is standard today but prior to this generation, only a few systems have had this features. I think we can all agree that 360, PS3 and Wii games (for most cases) don't look better than their predecessors because the jump of technology wasn't that far, but what if we were to go back further, back in the 32/64bits era, ya doesn't look too good now does it?
Now why is that, why do great games like Final Fantasy VII and Zelda Ocarina of Time look like crap by today standards while games like Super Mario Bros 3 and Super Metroid still look great? Well the answer is quite simple, although the PSX, Saturn and N64 didn't invent 3D, they sure were the systems that brought 3D gaming to a mass audience, making them the earliest 3D experience for most gamers.
When we speak of 2D gaming, we normally refer to Nintendo and SEGA's 8 and 16bits systems, forgetting the early players in the 2D console market such as Atari and Coleco. Old SEGA and Nintendo games look great because they had a reach a certain peak in 2D gaming where future improvements weren't that major. 3D games have recently reached this peak in the 6th generation where XBOX360 games don't look THAT different than old XBOX games, not like going from Atari to SNES or PSX going to PS2.
I'm will be getting Chrono Trigger for NDS on the 25th (hope BestBuy Canada will be getting on time) and I really don't care that they kept the original graphics since they still look great and that they're adding full stylus controls and the PSX cut-scenes. However, if Square-Enix was to release FF VII on the PS3 without adding any improvements to it, I don't think I would bother buying it, especially when I can still play the original on the PS3 or even better, on my media PC via emulation with enhancements.
IMO, there was a better quantity of great games back in the 32/64bits era because developers focused on fun rather than graphics, but sometimes, even fun is not enough to compensate for bad polygons after being exposed to better eye candies :P
Until next week
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4 comments:
I agree. I mean 8- and 16-bit graphics (mainly 8-bit) are pleasing to the eye and have a retro style when you see them nowadays. But early 3D doesn't hold as much nostalgia... because, well it looks like crap.
Mega Man 9 embraced the NES graphics and it was paid off by fan and critical reaction. But if a new Zelda or Donkey Kong game came out with N64 graphics, it wouldn't be as cool.
It's really a shame that the 3D masterpieces aren't being remade and less popular titles are.
I've got to disagree, plenty of 2D games look like garbage and plenty of old 3D games are nice as well. I think its a matter of aesthetics, early 3D games are appealing because they represent a physical space we can relate to, but they turn down the detail to a surreal level. Games like Doom and Majora's Mask are great examples.
@8bitcity
I never stated that all 2D games look great, in fact, over half of them didn't. A game that looked like shit back then looks worst today.
As for 3D, well I don't think we can classify DOOM as a 3D game anymore than that old Windows 3.11 labyrinth screensaver. Finally, as much as it pains me to say, the Zelda 64 games do look like crap today, like most of the N64 games. If Nintendo is really seriously about these upcoming WiiMakes, Zelda OOT and MM should be on their priority list because they deserve the update treatment.
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