How To Become Better Acquainted With Old-School Video Games?

With it so hot outside, there’s nothing like staying indoors, turning on the AC, and booting up your favorite video game. Whether you like creative sandbox games, first-person shooters, or platformers, there’s a game out there for everyone. Though there are so many new and exciting releases out there, nothing quite beats the aesthetic and nostalgia of retro games. 

Old-school video games are super popular and for good reason, and if you haven’t tried your hand at playing them, now’s your chance! Whether you want to become the next PewDiePie or Markiplier or you’re just curious about retro video games, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s everything you need to know to get into and excel at old-school video games. Follow this guide and go from noob to pro at retro video games in no time!

Try out different games

The only way to become a pro at playing vintage video games is to boot them up, give them a try, and start playing! There are thousands of cool retro games to choose from in a variety of genres, styles, and difficulty levels. If you’re a beginner, your best bet is to do some research first to find a starting point for the games you want to play.

Feel free to have a look around and experiment with different types of games until you find the right niche for you. It’s much easier to get good at a video game if you’re playing something you like and something that fits your niche! Once you’ve found the right game, it’s time to get to playing!

Practice makes perfect

Once you’ve found your niche, the best way to get good at old-school games is to play them! Some retro games are notoriously difficult, so it’s important to put in the hours if you want to impress and get better at them. Start by setting a goal for yourself, start off with something small and achievable in the beginning, and get to playing. 

The more you play a game, the better you’ll get at it, which is why it’s super important to put in the hours when getting good at video games. Whether you’re exercising your muscle memory and reflexes, or memorizing attack patterns, practice makes perfect! Just don’t go overboard and remember to drink water and take breaks while you play!

Get rid of what you don’t need

If you want to get good at the video games you’re passionate about, you have to know when to call it quits and get rid of what you don’t need. There are thousands of old-school, retro games out there, and you don’t have to like all of them to be good at them. 

If you don’t like the graphics, the gameplay, or the story, you’re allowed to pass on a game and focus on the ones you really care about. Whether you decide to sell your games at The Old School Game Vault or in a garage sale, getting them off your hands is a must to free up space! Take a good look at your gaming library and do some spring cleaning and focus on what really matters!

Get the right hardware

While there are plenty of places to play retro video games for free online, sometimes, you won’t get as lucky. In some cases, the best old-school video games you want to play are often not available for modern consoles or PCs. In this case, you’re going to need to dig deep and find the right hardware to support your game. This can be a bit tricky as working retro gaming devices can be expensive and hard to come by, but with a little digging and luck, anything is possible! 

Do some research and see what kind of retro-tech you’ll need to run your game and then start looking through your options. Once you’ve found what you need, you can boot up your retro game and play it like in the old days!

Watch and learn from the pros

Another great way to introduce yourself to great, classic games is to watch the masters at work play them! Playing the game is one thing, but mastering it is a whole other battle and one way to beat it is to watch an experienced player play. Those who can’t do it; watch, and the same goes for retro video games!

This type of passive, indirect learning can help introduce you to the mechanics of the game and help your own gameplay when you give it a try. It’s also a great way to learn new tips and tricks and appreciate the retro game more. Whether you choose to watch them on platforms like Youtube or Twitch or watch your older sibling play in real-time, watching is important. 

Take your time

With things like video games, it’s easy to get caught up in the points and quests and lose focus of what’s really important; having fun! Every game becomes boring when all you’re doing is striving to beat your high score or get as many points as possible.  Every video game is designed to be enjoyed and cherished, so it’s important to remember to take your time and enjoy yourself. 

If you’re struggling with a particular level or quest, take a break and come back to it, don’t rage quit. Take your time exploring the game and appreciating the design and mechanics. To avoid running yourself into the ground and ruining your own fun, take things nice and slow, and remember to have fun!

Learn about the lore

Another great way to enhance your experience of playing popular retro games is to do your research and read up on the lore. Both newer and older video games host a rich world of lore and history for you to tap into. While you don’t have to become an expert in the game to enjoy it, knowing a bit of the background always helps! 

By studying up on the lore, you can uncover cool easter eggs and cheat codes but also deepen your love for the game. You can better understand and appreciate everything that went into making the game and enhance your experience of playing it! If you’re stumped for ideas, do some digging and learn about the games you’re playing!

Join the community

The great thing about playing video games is that although it can be a solo journey, gaming is a social activity! The gaming community is half the fun of being a gamer and it’s no different for the classic, retro gaming community. There are plenty of benefits and plus sides to joining the community, starting with having someone to share your love of classic games with. 

Within the old-school gaming community, you can swap stories, tips, and game recommendations. You can express your love, hate, and opinions on certain games with like-minded people and engage in the online community. Make lifelong friends or gaming buddies through the community. Create and share art of the games you like and get feedback from your fellow gamers!

Play with your friends

If joining a full-blown gaming community online seems like a bit much, you can always just play with your friends! Video games, whether retro or brand new, are made to be enjoyed both solo and with your friends, and for good reason! Playing with your friends or watching them play can boost your enjoyment and experience of the game. 

Introduce your friends to your favorite old-school video games, or explore theirs to better understand each other and bond. Two heads are better than one, so put your heads together and enjoy winning games and passing levels as a team. Playing with someone else adds a competitive edge to the game and can help you improve your skills unconsciously through your desire to win!

Play modern versions

Last but not least, if you can’t get your hands on the real thing, the next best thing is to play modern versions of your favorite retro games! Whether the specific game you want to play is lost to the ether or is not compatible with your devices, fret not! There are plenty of modern versions of your favorite games out there that are just as good, if not, a little better!

As great and nostalgic as old-school, retro games are, playing them can be a bit frustrating, expensive, and inconvenient. If you’re tired of the struggle, do some research and find modern versions of the games you liked as a kid, and get to gaming! Whether you play them on your smartphone, in your internet browser, or on your PlayStation, there are plenty of options out there!

So there you have it! With these points in mind, you’re ready to enter the world of classic, retro video games like a pro! Try out different games to find your niche and remember to practice, practice, practice to get good at your favorite games! Learn to choose your battles and get rid of the games you’re not interested in and find the right hardware to support the ones that you like.

Watch and learn from the pros to gather tips and tricks but don’t forget to take your time and enjoy the game while you play. Take a break from playing to learn about the lore or join the community and make some friends to enhance your enjoyment of the game. Last but not least, when the going gets tough, the tough play modern versions of their favorite retro games!