Defining the 'Retro' Era
The concept of what constitutes a "retro" game has long been a subject of debate among enthusiasts. Is it defined by hardware limitations, console generations, or simply the passage of time? According to the popular Japanese television program Game Center CX, featuring comedian Shinya Arino, the Wii and PlayStation 3 have officially earned the retro moniker.
The Public Verdict
According to information from Automaton Media, the show decided to settle the debate through a series of viewer polls. The initial survey, which garnered over 14,000 votes, saw 71% of respondents supporting the classification. A subsequent poll with nearly 17,000 participants solidified this sentiment, pushing the approval rate to 80%. Consequently, Arino announced that titles from these consoles will now be eligible for inclusion on the show.
Impact on the PC Gaming Landscape
This shift in perspective inevitably spills over into the PC gaming community. If we accept the 20-year benchmark for retro status, many beloved PC titles are effectively joining that category. This includes iconic games such as:
- Medieval II: Total War
- Half-Life 2: Episode One
- Dawn of War - Dark Crusade
- Neverwinter Nights 2
- Telltale’s Sam & Max: Season One
- Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
- Company of Heroes
Looking Toward the Future
While some argue that categorizing game history by eras is more logical than arbitrary time frames, the "retro" label remains a powerful cultural identifier. It is undeniably jarring to consider games like The Last of Us as products of "retro" hardware.
As time marches on, the utility of this label may become increasingly questionable. As noted in the discussion: "In 2046 are we going to say GTA 6 is a retro game, as if it has much of anything in common with games we hold as undeniably retro now, like Excitebike or DuckTales?" Ultimately, while these definitions help organize our history, they struggle to capture the vast evolution of interactive entertainment.