Games Inbox: Are retro video games becoming more popular?

The Tuesday letters page thinks retro gaming is on the rise, as one reader wants to know what Capcom has planned for 2027.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Back to the past
Very happy to learn that the rumour of CeX opening a dedicated retro shop is true. Especially as it’s in Birmingham, which is quite close to me. I’m sure I’ll be disappointed when I see it, but I hope not. I have a very happy memory of visiting a CeX in London, somewhere behind Oxford Street, maybe 25 years ago.

It was an absolute treasure trove of things and games that I had only read about in magazines, from obscure SNES games (I distinctly remember Chrono Trigger) at a real Virtual Boy. Of course, that was a long time ago, when these things were less than a decade old, but I hope this new shop can get at least somewhere close to it.

I’ve felt retro gaming has become more and more popular lately, in terms of actually owning the original hardware and not just playing ports (most of which are not very good emulations). Playing a retro game is only part of the equation, in my opinion, it’s the fact that you’re experiencing the game as it was, not a replica.

Of course, that gets more expensive as time goes on but it’s become an increasing hobby to me, and I feel I’m not the only one. With the death of physical media Sony’s not encouraging me to go digital-only, it’s making me want to go retro-only.
Bonce

The next year
Great review of Onimusha: Way Of The Sword, GC. I was expecting it to be good after the demo and knowing Capcom are on a roll at the moment. I was never the greatest fan of the original games, but I will definitely be trying to pick this up now.

I didn’t realise it was out this week but then I remembered that Capcom brought it forward, out of the traffic jam at the end of the month. That actually makes it more appealing to me, because it increases the chances I can get it finished before you-know-what is released.

It also makes me wonder what Capcom has planned for next year. I know it’s impossible to keep up a release schedule like 2026, which must’ve just been the way things fell out as much as anything, but the only thing I know of at the moment is Resident Evil Veronica. If Onimusha is a success that’s got to give them confidence for even more revivals.
Janson

GC: Thanks. Apart from Resident Evil Veronica there isn’t much so far, just the Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance expansion and Mega Man: Dual Override. And Ōkami 2, but there’s no indication when that’s due.

Come back later
After the 26 minute look and barring any unpleasant surprises – given it’s Rockstar, I’m interested in how it controls – GTA 6 is day one for me.

I’ve picked up a £70 PSN voucher on ShopTo for £57.80 with a 5% off promotion on the already discounted price.

The graphics were, of course, stunning. From the detail and density of the world to the facial animation and lighting. It’s a significant new high bar for console graphics.

The gameplay looked more of the same. Shooting, driving, mini-games, and light role-playing elements. Was hoping to see something a bit more there to be honest.

The new wanted and relationship systems have me intrigued. How creative will you now have to be fleeing the cops and what actions affect the course of Lucia’s and Jason’s bond.

But as exploration is a core pillar of gaming for me it was the map revealing base jumping shot that was my favourite bit of the reveal and caused me to get the PSN voucher.

It looked spectacular and I just want to explore every inch of what was displayed.

I’m ignoring any more now in case of spoilers and will read your and a few other reviews before buying.

Have review embargo dates been communicated yet? I’m guessing it’s too far out.
Simundo

GC: Much too far out. It was still August when you wrote this and it’s not out until mid-November.

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Short answer
I need to ask a question: when did Sonic The Hedgehog games ‘git gud’ again?

I know they’ve been slated by you on here at GamesCentral over the years, but I played and still haven’t finished Frontiers, which I liked. I’m playing Sonic X Shadow Generations, am playing Sonic Unleashed on backwards compatibility through Xbox, and used to love Sonic 1, 2, 3, and Knuckles on the Mega Drive and had Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast, which I quite liked at the time too. They’re all pretty good games. OK, yeah the werewolf is a bit like Marmite but the games are actually pretty good, in my opinion.

I’ve been checking the timelines for Sonic games over the years and various top 10s by other sites but you’re the one I follow religiously, so I’d like to hear your take on it.

Any Sonic fans out there. Would love to hear your takes on it too. I remember the backlash there for his proposed movie look, so I know he still has a big fan base.

I’m also surprised at how big Sega is when reading up about them. It seems its parent company won’t move into the console market again when they’re sat on gaming gold.
Nick The Greek
PS: Still smashing plates in Apotos with Sonic.

GC: Sonic Frontiers is the only one we’ve really liked in the last couple of decades.

Trust issues
Two State of Plays on the same day and the second one is aimed at Asian made games. But the only game we know is definitely going to be in the Western one is… a game made in Asia? I dunno, sometimes it seems Sony is physically incapable of being normal. Now I suspect them of lying even when its unimportant things like this.

I’m not hoping for much from either State of Play but maybe a proper, non-AI look at Stellar Blade: Blood Rain. I’d like to hope there’ll be some surprise reveals too but when your mic drop is Final Fantasy 7 Revelation it doesn’t exactly raise expectations.
Kris

Unconditional love
It certainly is a tale of two halves. Grand Theft Auto 6 is heavily anticipated on one side of the coin and sceptically received on the other side of the coin. At least, judging by the Inbox letters and the recent Reader’s Feature. Which brings up the old age statement, that children should be kept away from such a title. This has been a topic of discussion for over two decades now. Why continue to beat a dead horse?

Controversy was present during the fifth game, I don’t expect any different for this instalment. I’m personally excited for this, over any other title releasing this year. Wolverine looks stale and seems a weekend game, before you either sell it or move on immediately. Phantom Blade 0 looks fun, but it reminds me much of Sekiro and Wukong. I’ve taken the liberty of pre-ordering the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition, from the PlayStation Store, at a price of £89.99. Which in turn makes it my most expensive game purchase, I wouldn’t have spent that much for any other title.

I chose to wait until the gameplay was released, many will say it looks disappointing, underwhelming, and below par. But it looks miles ahead of anything releasing this year or even next year. The features seem phenomenal as well. A nudist town is insane. Who else has included that? The gym is a true simulation. The police system is realistic and layered. The relationship between Jason and Lucia, seems far more complex than other titles and not just tacked on, or an afterthought. It’s taken cues from Baldur’s Gate 3, instead of Skyrim or Starfield.

No matter what the naysayers complain about or choose to facilitate their negative outputs on a title that I and billions are naturally and deeply anticipating. It’s empty space. It is genuinely the title I have dreamt about for years, when it comes to this franchise. From the third title in 2001 and the revolutionary inclusion of the 3D universe to a world that will certainly stand as the most immersive and detailed crime simulation ever seen.
Shahzaib Sadiq

Your reveal is in another Direct
Since it would be the most annoying, master troll level thing to do, I fully expect there to be a Nintendo Direct when rumoured and it still won’t be about the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake or it will have only a minute or two and then you’ll be told to watch the next one.

All I can say after all this is that it better be worth the wait. It probably will be, but as everyone has said why is a remake the one thing that Nintendo get ultra secretive about?
Neillifier

Don’t miss Gaming news! Add us as a Preferred Source

As a loyal GameCentral reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for gaming stories. We have all the latest video games news, reviews, previews, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

Advertisement

The long haul
This is a serious question and I’m honestly not trying to cause trouble or wind people up when I ask it.

My problem, if you can call it that, is regarding the purchase of GTA 6.

I am lucky enough to own both an Xbox Series X and a PlayStation 5 (both of which were bought to me as gifts from my wife).

I really want to pre-order GTA 6 but I’m torn as to what console I should get it for.

After watching (and enjoying) the amazing Rockstar/Netflix extended preview video I decided I need to finally make my preorder.

Then came the problem:

I’ve had my Xbox for some time now and I absolutely love it and this would normally always be my first choice to play anything on. However, I have recently read that Sony done some sort of deal with Rockstar and this has made me question my decision!

Will the PlayStation version be better? Will it have extras because of the deal they did? Will they have early access to any DLC that happens to appear?

I’ve only had the PlayStation 5 since Christmas but I am enjoying the controller and what it can add to a game.

I know this is a first world problem but I’m 54 now and due to working long hours I don’t get anywhere near the time gaming as I used to do.

This is why I want to get the best version.

Sorry for the long letter but I hope someone out there can help.
Rob Lilley (LilleyJnr)

GC: Sony does have a marketing deal for GTA 6 but if that’s resulted in any preferential treatment, in terms of content or performance neither company has mentioned it yet. The main problem with getting the Xbox version is that GTA 6 is likely a game you’ll be playing for the next decade, but we’d be less confidence of Microsoft remaining in the games business for that long – which creates problems with being part of that ecosystem.

Inbox also-rans
Short of being free I really don’t see what Xbox could possibly do to make a next gen console seem appealing. I don’t know what they’ve convinced themselves of but no-ones spending money on a new machine just to play Gears Of War.
Wnik

Loving Star Wars Zero Company at the moment. Just unlocked secondary specialisations for characters, which is something I never expected. I’m going to use a sniper medic!
Taylor Moon

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Does GTA 6 have the best video game graphics ever?

MORE: Games Inbox: Was the GTA 6 Netflix show a disappointment?

MORE: Games Inbox: What will be in the Netflix GTA 6 show?