Before gaming consoles became super high-tech, gamers had simple retro consoles. Some iconic creations remain nostalgic until today, even if they’re no longer produced.
Not just for the technologies, but also for the products created by them. Games, music players, and graphic designs that used to be cool. Like how classic slot games that started as a machine and are now available online 24/7, tech innovations have made great changes. Believe it or not, these retro creations have remained iconic and are making a comeback in this era.
The Allure of Nostalgia
In this modern era, almost everyone has at least one smartphone and a social media account. Digital notifications are everyone’s daily life, especially the younger generations who are actively engaging with tech innovations. However, Gen Zs have suddenly grown an interest in vintage technologies.
The younger generation lives with so many high-tech innovations. There’s AI that can turn everything interactive and more engaging. Yet, simpler gadgets like flip phones, vinyl records, and analog cameras suddenly became popular once again. So, what triggered this reaction?
How can these simpler, retro technologies catch the attention of the generation that’s so used to digitalization?
The answer is a more tangible experience that only older technologies can give.
Nostalgia is another drive behind the rising popularity of retro tech. Using these older technologies brings back memories for some. Simpler things like retro typography and vintage color palettes can remind someone of simpler times. It has gone beyond a sentimental journey. It’s also a response to the relatively impersonal nature that newer tech designs carry.
Digitalization turns almost everything tech-based. This makes consumers crave human creativity. Retro design is the perfect solution that satisfies this craving, as it gives a more human touch. For example, the 80s aesthetic carries a sense of creativity and individuality. Everyone is technically looking to reclaim a sense of authenticity.
Retro Games Getting Higher Attention
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Besides retro devices making a comeback, retro games are also coming back. Pringles did a survey to see how many Gen Zs have just bought retro tech or own a retro gaming console. 66% of the respondents answered that they have bought retro tech in the past two years.
The remaining 24% answered that they already have a retro gaming console. The top three retro consoles bought by these Gen Z respondents are Game Boy, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Xbox Original, all of which were discontinued in the 2000s.
The survey also asked why the young generation bought retro consoles. The majority of them answered that they found retro or nostalgic games to be more relaxing than modern games. Another big part of the respondents feels like these consoles have sentimental value to them. The rest of the respondents wanted to play a game that was already discontinued when they reached gaming age.
With Gen Zs as the respondents, the youngest user would be those born in 2012. It was the year when Wii U was released. Meanwhile, the oldest respondents would be those born in 1997, which was the year of Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation’s release in 1995.
Pringles visited the UK to promote a Retro Console Clinic in London while conducting this survey. They offered free repairs for retro handheld and home consoles. The aim of this pop-up is to encourage people to once again turn on their retro consoles. Visitors coming to the pop-up can also play some classic games for free for the sake of retro gaming.
One of the event’s engineers, Luke Malpass, shared that he feels like the younger generations are facing a lot of stressful things. One of the main causes is that they need to grow up in the social media world, which he thinks is very mentally challenging. He then shared that he feels like retro video gaming is a safe place for the younger generation. It’s the perfect escape from their chaotic world.
Retro tech has nostalgic appeal. In this fast-paced, tech-driven society, they can be a solid antidote that gives a more calming experience. This is also confirmed by the survey, which showed that the majority of the respondents enjoy using retro consoles because they take them away from their smartphones.
A Quiet Form of Resistance
The resurgence of retro consoles might be telling a lot more than just an old trend coming back to life. Instead, it’s a quiet form of resistance done by the younger generation. Generations living with digitalization constantly live alongside cloud dependency, subscription models, and planned obsolescence. They’re experiencing the loss of ownership where choosing local, finite, and fixable tech feels like a protest.
It’s like the younger generation is desperate to find a way out of having to constantly upgrade and monetize; old hardware became that solution.
If there’s a good comparison, retro tech now becomes similar to other slow movements. DIY repair, slow fashion, or farm-to-table eating are some of the best examples. They go beyond aesthetic choices; instead, they’re cultural ones. Convenience is no longer the priority, but Gen Zs are looking for efficiency, connection, and intimacy.
The modern infrastructure has been helping vintage culture to thrive in this modern era. Platforms like Etsy and eBay become global resources. Field-Programmable Gate Array or FPGA consoles reimagine classic formats to suit modern precision. YouTube tutorials expand people’s knowledge.
At the end, culture will always loop and re-emerge with context. The reemergence of retro consoles is just a way to reconnect.
Featured image credit: Pixabay
