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With the wave of new consoles upon us, and a desire to taste the delights of Halo, GT3 and Smash Bros et al I broke my piggy bank to see how much I had. Unfortunately, it consisted of a Christmas list (uncompleted), £4.23 and ah yes, a hefty wad of…IOU’s. Ahem. Faced with the realisation that I might actually have to work to get some money, I broke out in a cold sweat and was forced to look towards my current games collection for solace. (Rumours that this is what forced me towards joining Special Reserve are completely unfounded). As much as it pains my game playing ego to say it, I found that there were some games that I had left unfinished and uncompleted (out of choice, of course), just collecting dust in a corner.
As you’ve probably realised by now, I don’t have a bottomless pit or money tree with which to buy all the latest games, so the games that I do have in my collections are probably the finest that console has to offer. If resources are scarce then naturally you go towards the very best. Right? Right. Shenmue, Sonic Adventure, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, classics, every one of ‘em. But all uncompleted. (I was later to find out that the reason I couldn’t complete Shenmue was because of the infamous Disc 3 glitch that prevents you seeing the next cut scene to progress).
Be honest, I think it might have happened to a good number of you as well. When your half way through your current fave it’s always difficult not to be tempted by the latest triple A title, with its mindblowing graphics and innovative new gameplay. The only problem is, what was suddenly the best thing ever becomes decidedly old hat, and you find yourself putting the other game in the ‘to be completed’ pile along with Clayfighter 63 1/3 and Rise of the Robots (remember them?)
So I picked up Mario 64 and continued playing. I already had 70-odd stars because I had beaten Bowser but for some strange reason decided not to play on. Oh what a fool I was. This time I had the avowed intention of actually completing the thing and getting my money’s worth out of what I now think is the finest 3D platforming game in existence. I was astounded. I knew Mario was good, very good in fact, but I didn’t know that collecting the last few stars provided you with the most visceral, challenging, thought provoking experience ever. Suddenly, I was a changed video gamer.
I subsequently went through my old games with vigour, playing each one to the end and getting hours of enjoyment out of the best Sega and Nintendo, in my opinion the best developers in the world, had to offer. I rediscovered the delights of Shenmue (avoiding that pesky glitch) and became so immersed in the story (a rarity these days) that I made Shenmue 2 top of my shopping list. I also relived other gaming landmarks such as Zelda and Sonic Adventure, and even went through games I had completed, each one providing hours of enjoyment and plenty of ‘I don’t remember this, this is brilliant’ moments.
But this new approach to all my old games has also enhanced my all round knowledge of games and has changed how I approach a new game as well. I certainly understand what is meant by ‘replay value’. Replay value isn’t about completing a game over and over again just to unlock an extra weapon or a change of costume. Even with a game the calibre of Metal Gear Solid it just becomes boring and ultimately ruins what great memories you might have of a game.
Replay value is about rewarding the player no matter how long or how often the player chooses to play it. Games like the aforementioned Mario and Zelda certainly do this. Other games, such as Crazy Taxi and Virtua Tennis, offer instant gaming gratification and because of that they justify their inclusion in my collection.
My current plight could well be the situation you are facing this very moment. With all the new consoles out or coming out, each tempting you with hard drives, DVD playback and whatnot, there is certainly a lot to choose from. But in the meantime dust the cobwebs of your old favourites, play them through again and remember why you got into videogames in the first place.
Thanks for reading
As you’ve probably realised by now, I don’t have a bottomless pit or money tree with which to buy all the latest games, so the games that I do have in my collections are probably the finest that console has to offer. If resources are scarce then naturally you go towards the very best. Right? Right. Shenmue, Sonic Adventure, Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario 64, classics, every one of ‘em. But all uncompleted. (I was later to find out that the reason I couldn’t complete Shenmue was because of the infamous Disc 3 glitch that prevents you seeing the next cut scene to progress).
Be honest, I think it might have happened to a good number of you as well. When your half way through your current fave it’s always difficult not to be tempted by the latest triple A title, with its mindblowing graphics and innovative new gameplay. The only problem is, what was suddenly the best thing ever becomes decidedly old hat, and you find yourself putting the other game in the ‘to be completed’ pile along with Clayfighter 63 1/3 and Rise of the Robots (remember them?)
So I picked up Mario 64 and continued playing. I already had 70-odd stars because I had beaten Bowser but for some strange reason decided not to play on. Oh what a fool I was. This time I had the avowed intention of actually completing the thing and getting my money’s worth out of what I now think is the finest 3D platforming game in existence. I was astounded. I knew Mario was good, very good in fact, but I didn’t know that collecting the last few stars provided you with the most visceral, challenging, thought provoking experience ever. Suddenly, I was a changed video gamer.
I subsequently went through my old games with vigour, playing each one to the end and getting hours of enjoyment out of the best Sega and Nintendo, in my opinion the best developers in the world, had to offer. I rediscovered the delights of Shenmue (avoiding that pesky glitch) and became so immersed in the story (a rarity these days) that I made Shenmue 2 top of my shopping list. I also relived other gaming landmarks such as Zelda and Sonic Adventure, and even went through games I had completed, each one providing hours of enjoyment and plenty of ‘I don’t remember this, this is brilliant’ moments.
But this new approach to all my old games has also enhanced my all round knowledge of games and has changed how I approach a new game as well. I certainly understand what is meant by ‘replay value’. Replay value isn’t about completing a game over and over again just to unlock an extra weapon or a change of costume. Even with a game the calibre of Metal Gear Solid it just becomes boring and ultimately ruins what great memories you might have of a game.
Replay value is about rewarding the player no matter how long or how often the player chooses to play it. Games like the aforementioned Mario and Zelda certainly do this. Other games, such as Crazy Taxi and Virtua Tennis, offer instant gaming gratification and because of that they justify their inclusion in my collection.
My current plight could well be the situation you are facing this very moment. With all the new consoles out or coming out, each tempting you with hard drives, DVD playback and whatnot, there is certainly a lot to choose from. But in the meantime dust the cobwebs of your old favourites, play them through again and remember why you got into videogames in the first place.
Thanks for reading
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AliBoy wrote:
> Just one point to make. Please don't post your topics in multiple forums. You
> posted this in prime (where i replied), in here in chat, in the sony forum,
> maybe even more. It just gets a bit annoying and hard to reply too.
Sorry, its just that at first no one replied and I thought there might be more people in other forums. Point taken
> Just one point to make. Please don't post your topics in multiple forums. You
> posted this in prime (where i replied), in here in chat, in the sony forum,
> maybe even more. It just gets a bit annoying and hard to reply too.
Sorry, its just that at first no one replied and I thought there might be more people in other forums. Point taken
Just one point to make. Please don't post your topics in multiple forums. You posted this in prime (where i replied), in here in chat, in the sony forum, maybe even more. It just gets a bit annoying and hard to reply too.
I love RPGs on the N64, ever since Er-No said he'd completed about 2000 games, I thought i'd better get started completing some of mine, I love all my games, I only have one I don't like, and that's Gecko, no one shoudl ever play it, it gets annoying after you watch the intro.
But now i've completed most of my 23 N64 games, DKR is stuck at the last boss (I had to get this far twice as a mate erased it first time round)
I found that online trading is always good, theres always an Australian willing to trade a new game for two older ones, I think thats a decent bargain, but i'd recommend completing them first, it's weird but you'll no doubt regret it.
most playable games: Goldeneye, Perfect Dark and Mario Kart, all because they're quick entertainment, you can finish a mission or multiplayer session within minutes, I like that.
The Gamecube is soon to be released, I can't wait, pretty sure all the games will be worth getting :) also when it's online I doubt i'll budge from my room, but i've got a job, although it doesn't seem like it, godamn cars.
But now i've completed most of my 23 N64 games, DKR is stuck at the last boss (I had to get this far twice as a mate erased it first time round)
I found that online trading is always good, theres always an Australian willing to trade a new game for two older ones, I think thats a decent bargain, but i'd recommend completing them first, it's weird but you'll no doubt regret it.
most playable games: Goldeneye, Perfect Dark and Mario Kart, all because they're quick entertainment, you can finish a mission or multiplayer session within minutes, I like that.
The Gamecube is soon to be released, I can't wait, pretty sure all the games will be worth getting :) also when it's online I doubt i'll budge from my room, but i've got a job, although it doesn't seem like it, godamn cars.
I wrote a strange topic about this a long while ago, and it's quite an open subject.
My favourite game ever, MGS, offered another 2 plays thanks to the unlimited ammo and...something else, but I also love watching the bit where Sniper Wolf dies, one of the best moments in my 'gaming life.'
Don't particularly like Mario or Zelda typish games, so I don't know about them, but I find sports games and non-stop games like Championshop Manager offer good replayability.
Cool topic, nicely written.
My favourite game ever, MGS, offered another 2 plays thanks to the unlimited ammo and...something else, but I also love watching the bit where Sniper Wolf dies, one of the best moments in my 'gaming life.'
Don't particularly like Mario or Zelda typish games, so I don't know about them, but I find sports games and non-stop games like Championshop Manager offer good replayability.
Cool topic, nicely written.
Thanks a lot!
Good call
A great post! I tried something similar but like you said I fell foul to the lure of new games
Very good Post!
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