Games that stand the test of time

[boshobosho]

I play Gears of War, as an example, and know that ten years from now I won't get any excitement from it. But if I played Double Dragon on the NES I'd still have fun.
I can't bring to mind any modern games like that, can you?

[Jack]

Secret of Mana! Oh wait, modern games. Uhh... Umm...

Well, Super Mario Galaxy, obviously.

[Gilda Dent]

It's almost impossible to tell what current games will still be around in a decade, and it depends on whether new iterations of the same game count.

Tetris is probably the best example of a game with staying power. It's what, fifteen years on now and still good for a ten minute spin now and then?

Diablo 2 likewise still holds appeal for me, years after its been released, and I can pick up pretty much any iteration of Sim City or Civilization and have ten hours disappear into the game. The Sims 2 likewise remains fresh for me three years in, and I can almost guarantee that there will be some version of this game going strong five years, a decade hence. The Sims 3 will be out next year, and we'll likely get expansion packs for three to five years, as I expect it to have more staying power than version 2 given how they seem to have worked out many of the biggest limitations in the game.

I'll buy the next version of Ridge Racer to come out, even if all it offers is the same gameplay with new tracks.

[Agent Helix]

Considering no time has passed, it's difficult to say whether they've stood that test, isn't it? You can't actually say that Galaxy has "stood the test of time", because it's been out for less than a year. It's still within its initial release cycle. And it's a brilliant game to be sure, but are you going to get the same enjoyment from it after you've beaten it, and come back?

The reason most of the older games maintain their fun is that they were essentially unbeatable skill tests. You can never ultimately win most of them, they just go on and on, based on a simple conceit. I'd say the games likeliest to replicate that kind of success are modern puzzle or rhythm games, rather than linear, plot-based adventures (no matter how good they may be). Puzzle Quest, Guitar Hero and its ilk, possibly even the likes of Katamari Damacy, where graphics and innovation take a backseat to accessible gameplay and quick entertainment.

Such is the way of the medium.

I guess I sort of owe Gilda a coke.

And yeah, Diablo 2 is there, as it's basically Gauntlet but with better graphics, and an immense hold over the psyche of the obsessive/compulsives like me.

[Gilda Dent]

And yeah, Diablo 2 is there, as it's basically Gauntlet but with better graphics, and an immense hold over the psyche of the obsessive/compulsives like me.

Exactly, but with every element taken up several levels. For example, one of the appeals of Gauntlet is that you had a choice of different characters with different abilities, four characters whose stats in three areas differ enough to make the game different with each character. Diablo 2 gives you five initially, with the standard RPG stats, but then adds a couple dozen other abilities, producing a half dozen ways to play each character. Gauntlet had multi-player appeal with some benefit for multiplayer cooperation and mixed parties; Diablo 2 has entire characters and skill sets designed around this concept.

The one biggest difference, I think, is gear. What keeps many people coming back to the game is the quest to get better gear, to optimize their character development, and the game gives you a half dozen ways to get this new gear, drops, shopping, crafting trading, muling from other characters, etc. A column a few years ago commented that the most addictive element of Diablo 2 isn't killing monsters or developing characters, it's shopping.

This element is one of the biggest draws of the Sims games, and taken to a higher level because Maxis set things up to encourage user-created content.

[Agent Helix]

The Sims is basically a form of cocaine, digitized and boxed for release. It destroys lives.

Like if some Warren Ellis or Grant Morrison conceived psychic killer viral meme actually existed, it would be in the form of a Sims expansion.

[Xero Kaiser]

I can't bring to mind any modern games like that, can you?

I can't think of many old games like that either, since most of them blow ass.

The only reason thing stopping me from coming up with any modern games is the fact that most games worth a damn get sequels. No, I won't be playing Gears of War 10 years from now, but I'll probably be playing a future installment

The only older games I can stand to play, and I mean really play, not just 45 seconds here and there like Tetris, is Final Fantasy Tactics, Third Strike and Castlevania: SoTN

[jessecuster3]

I will always be a big fan of skateboarding, snowboarding games. I don't think I will ever get rid of Tony Hawk 4, similarly, Cool Boarders for the PS1 and SSX for PS2 are my standard bearers.


I also recently re-started Burnout 3:Takedown and the replayability of that is great.

[4thHorseman]

I think the Mario games are fairly accessible. I couldn't tell you how many times I've played those games.

But the one that came to mind first was Earthbound. God, what a fun quirky game that was. I've beaten that game several times, and once in a while I feel like putting it in and playing it again.

[Enterprise E]

For me, the Super Mario Bros. games will always stand the test of time. I also still play Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy. The Legend of Zelda games, especially OoT and MM, also have that quality as well, as does Super Metroid.

[666MasterOfPuppets]

Metal Gear Solid (should be released for XBLA)
Ninja Gaiden
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario World
Super Double Dragon
Battletoads
CastleVania: SoTN
Diablo 2
Donkey Kong Country
Contra III
Super CastleVania IV
Gradius III
Tetris
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy VI

As for Gears, I dunno. Perhaps you're right, or perhaps some people will still be playing it ten years from now. Who knows...

[Huh?]

I think most modern games are too linear or "quest" related.

Until someone comes out with something like Pac-Man or Galaga for the PS3 etc. we are likely to have very few replayable games 10 years from now.

[livin_target]

Ye olde 2d games can withstand the test of time due to nostalgia value and the lack of 2d nowadays, as can the first big game of a certain genre (see Doom).

RPGs can too, mainly down to great storytelling, characters and an involving atmosphere. People will tend to ignore the graphics of an RTS if each side can provide different types of units yet still be balanced (see starcraft, and DOW is still pumping out expansion packs).

FPS and adventure games do suffer though mainly because you can tend to find a newer game that is either a sequel or a spiritual successor to an older game, and the newer one will have better features, more fluid gameplay and better graphics.

[Kevin M.]

Only game I can think of is Super Metroid.

[Serik]

None. I see people playing the same board games well into the future (Risk, Monopoly, etc.) but when it comes to videogames, I think it will only be enthusiasts who care about today's videogames.

[Chiasm]

Doom is still great fun to go back and play. The graphics are dated but its the pure fun and simplicity of play that make it great. You just jump into the game and start blowing away bad guys. You don't have to spend 20 minutes trying to figure out what combination of buttons you hold down just to try and make some sort of special attack.

[mgs]

I'll always enjoy the FASA/Microsoft Mechwarrior PC games. Love them! :)

[1WEBHEAD]

I can still see myself playing COD4 and Brawl 10 years down the line. . .

[Tumbido]

Yoshi's Island for SNES. Graphics and gameplay.

[P-Man]

You can't really say for sure if this current generation of games will still hold up, nor do I think you can for the previous generation. The SNES and prior generations have games that have proven themselves as long lasting. Tetris, Chrono Trigger, the various Mario games, etc.

I think the real interesting discussion is what PS1/N64 era games have stood up over time. I think a problem with that era is that everything it did the next generation did much better. I mean, one can look at Super Mario world and still say "That game looks good." Can you say the same about Final Fantasy 7? Ten years later and I gotta say, the graphics of that game have aged terribly. I didn't own an N64 until well after that consoles time was over, and I tried to go back and see what I had been missing. I tried to play Ocarina of Time, but I just couldn't. The graphics were just too dated. Control is also a big issue. After playing 3D games for a decade can anyone stand the control scheme of Resident Evil?

Honestly, only 32 bit game I can see standing up through time on more than nostalgia and historical merits is Metal Gear Solid. While it has the same butt ugly 3D graphics as other titles of that era the game was just so damned well executed it makes up for it.

[Libaax]

No 2d game will be as timeless for me as Mario kart, we still play it on my friends pc.


Metal Gear Solid 1
Metal Gear Solid 2
Metal Gear Solid 3
Mario Kart 64
Devil May Cry
Max Payne
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 4
Shemmue I
Shenmue II
Soul Calibur/Soul Blade

Those games are already timeless for me. Resident evil 2,;MGS 1 are PS1 and very dated graphics wise but not gameplay,story wise.

[Alex]

Tetris came to mind.

[jesse_custer]

Control is also a big issue. After playing 3D games for a decade can anyone stand the control scheme of Resident Evil?

I can't. In fact, if I had to make a prediction, RE4 is the only RE game right now that I think will actually stand the test of time.

[DrewTheXenocide]

I don't see how Metal Gear Solid can stand the test of time. It's story and gameplay are great, but the graphics, like a lot of PSX games, don't age well.

That, and, after repeated playthroughs, it's possible to beat it in around 30 minutes.

[asloveislost]

Yeah Mario Kart 64 has always been the biggest one for me... it's still a party favourite with my friends and none of us can stand the gamecube one.

Hopefully Maro Kart wii will be really good but we'll always go back to 64 Mario Kart.

[jesse_custer]

I don't see how Metal Gear Solid can stand the test of time. It's story and gameplay are great, but the graphics, like a lot of PSX games, don't age well.

That, and, after repeated playthroughs, it's possible to beat it in around 30 minutes.

I guess I would have to see 30 minutes to believe it. But how would this even suggest that the game doesn't stand the test of time? You can beat Mario Bros. 1 and 3 quickly, but they have undoubtedly stood the test of time.

Metal Gear Solid has stood the test of time in my mind. The variety of gameplay, story, and great sound make up for average graphics.

[Libaax]

I guess I would have to see 30 minutes to believe it. But how would this even suggest that the game doesn't stand the test of time? You can beat Mario Bros. 1 and 3 quickly, but they have undoubtedly stood the test of time.

Metal Gear Solid has stood the test of time in my mind. The variety of gameplay, story, and great sound make up for average graphics.

The story,the sound,music is way above any movie of the same type i have seen.
Plus it has the best bosses i have seen in any game. Not only how different and challenging they were but how interesting they were ,great stories they had. Sniper Wolf story and fmvs is still classic.


Maybe Kojima should become a movie director :)

[BYC]

Combat (Atari 2600)
Mario Bros
Super Mario Bros 1 - 3
Super Mario World
Street Fighter Super Turbo
Contra
Super Contra
Mr Do's Castle
Arknoid
Arknoid 2 Revenge of Doh
Tetris
some of the King of Fighters
Final Fantasy 3 (US version)
Shinobi
TMNT arcade game

Those I play somewhat normally even now. But I can't think of what I would play even from the PS days. I don't like Smash Bros, but would most play it years from now?

[Libaax]

Yeah Mario Kart 64 has always been the biggest one for me... it's still a party favourite with my friends and none of us can stand the gamecube one.

Hopefully Maro Kart wii will be really good but we'll always go back to 64 Mario Kart.

In my teens we played it every weekend. Used to have tournaments and stuff :)


The only great thing about N64!

[DrewTheXenocide]

I guess I would have to see 30 minutes to believe it. But how would this even suggest that the game doesn't stand the test of time? You can beat Mario Bros. 1 and 3 quickly, but they have undoubtedly stood the test of time.

Metal Gear Solid has stood the test of time in my mind. The variety of gameplay, story, and great sound make up for average graphics.

I just think that MGS2 will hold up better. Don't get me wrong, I love MGS to death (in fact, the fact that I played the crap out of it is probably the reason I think it doesn't age well) but MGS2 has stronger gameplay than its predecessor, making it more likely to last longer.

[jesse_custer]

Whoa, didn't expect that answer. To each his own.

[socool8520]

mario games
metal gear solid games
goldeneye
ff VII

[Sanagi]

ff VII
The only main series Final Fantasy games that have aged worse than FF7 are the 8-bit ones.

[jabrams007]

What? No PC love? For shame!

X-Com: UFO Defense
Tie Fighter
Privateer
Civilization 4
Grim Fandango
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father
Kings Quest 5
Starcraft
Warcraft III
Diablo II
Monkey Island games
Day of the Tentacle
Solitaire
Minesweeper