I think it's just nostalgia.

Yes, your right.  I was reading from work, couldn't listen to any of the music and didn't really digest the context.  Guess I've seen too many whiny fanboys wanting Nintendo to make games as good as they remember in their childhood - which weren't as good as they remember - they were just too young to know the difference.   But your observations here are correct.

Personally, I never owned a NES.  Grew up with Atari 2600 & Colecovision and then never owed another console until Wii.  My kids had consoles, but aside from playing with them, I never paid them any attention.  Wii was both retro in it's simple gamplay and revolutionary in physically bringing you into the game in games like Godfather.

On point- It was a simplier time.  While there was a lot of crap made for a buck, there were also a lot of gems being made by people who loved what they were doing and were largely free to follow their vision unencombered by buracracy or budgets.   Now you have publishers and shareholders and marketing staff all making demands - not to mention the exceedingly high demands the fanboys and game media put on now.  Back then, 2 guys in a garage could pump out a game in a month that would sell millions - or not.  If it flopped.  Oh well.   There were few if any reviews.  Games sold by (the usually awful) cover, theme and most importantly: word of mouth.  Wii Sports continued that philisophy.    Most games now cost millions to make and failure is not an option.  So it becomes a much more regimented approach - do what's already proven to work.  Personally I care little for games on HD consoles - progressively becoming more interactive movie than game.

However, on services like WW, XBL, PSN and iOS/Android you do see that same free creative ribe if more matured and seasoned than in the 70-80's.  You also see lots of games crapped out for a buck.   Some things never change.

@Gamerace and thekitchensink. You guys understood what I was trying to say. That's fun.

I won't deny that nostalgia is a powerful thing, I've seen it in action in my life (especially in my love for games) and have found myself liking a new game only after giving it a serious chance. This happened for Final Fantasy VIII, and now lately NSMBWii.

However, I'll counter your argument with one thing. There are two games from the same series, from the past, two games I liked in different ways.

Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong Country 2

One I will never forget as an eternal classic, the other I will remember as a good follow up, but not in the same was as the first. I don't think I'm alone in that opinion. What is the difference between those two entries that causes that classical value, that's what I'm trying to put my finger on.

My wife has the same love for donkey kong country. DKCR didn't do it for her. I only played the game and watch versions of donkey kong, sadly never on the snes. Maybe I should give the vc version a try.

If you do, let me know what you think of it after playing it first hand during this more modern age of gaming. I'd be interested.

while i'm not happy with everything that is coming out these days I'm really happy games like Galaxy 1 and 2 where made as they are some of the best games ever made for me. SM3D is amazing as well though i don't want to finish it as i want it to last longer. I love Zelda SS even though it has a few things I don't like about it. i would like them to go back to a more open world Zelda and not make a hub like in SS. I would also like them to cut down on the cut-scenes and give us less hints to progress in the game.

I prefer the new games from Nintendo to the old ones. the only game I did not like that much was Mario Sunshine

The older games are most certainly better than the modern games. Their scope, their fun factor and timelessness. They don't try to be anything else other than a game. Not a movie, not a pictionary, just a game. I very much miss the old style of games. Unfortunately this isn't going to happen.

This will also be my last post, as I've seen that gaming has different goals than meeting my own expectations.I've enjoyed this site, and many of the members I wish everyone happy gaming and a fulfilling life. I doubt I'll be missed.

Adieu.

My first system was a SNES, so my past is the SNES, and I don't think the past ever left.

You just have to be picky about what games you play. There are so many good games out now, and because of this it's so easy to miss the ones which are your type of game, but as long as you limit your purchases and make sacrifices I think gaming now is just as excellent and memorable.

..

....

Maybe I'm answering a question that wasn't asked, but playing XenoBlade I get the same type of feeling as playing Chrono Trigger. F-Zero GX reminds me of F-Zero, Devil May Cry 3 has me feeling the same way as Smash TV, and some new games have me feeling a new type of giggle inside (like Mass Effect 3).