The Future of 2D Gaming
With the now mainstream acceptance of 3D console gaming technology, along with the new breakthrough 3D capable handhelds, such as the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP, where does the future of 2D gaming lie? While the Gameboy Advance will continue to release 2D game titles, we can only expect Nintendo to phase out the system and its games in the near future. The impression we are being given is one of a 3D hand-held and console future void of any 2D experiences. I would like to hope that this is indeed not the case.
We should recognize and appreciate the genre and art of 2D gaming. We can’t neglect the fact that this is where it all started. I’m sure most of us can remember a time when we played a simple 2D game for as many hours as we did Metroid Prime or Final Fantasy X. Well, maybe not quite that long, but you get my point. Graphics aren’t everything. And I know you’ve heard that a million times before. Ok, so some of the 8-bit graphics and programming are a little hard to deal with for a modern day gamer, but how can we deny the expertise in game design and game play pioneered with titles like Zelda, Contra, and the world renown Super Mario Brothers? This tradition of excellence in 2D design was carried into the 16-bit era with games like Chrono Trigger and Yoshi’s Island on the Super Nintendo, and Sonic the Hedgehog and Ghouls ‘N Ghosts on the Sega Genesis.
The Gameboy Advance brought 2D gaming back into the limelight reaching a larger market than before. This was mainly due to Nintendo’s marketing and low price points aimed at a younger customer base. They managed to do this while still maintaining their very loyal but older diehard gamer fans who were looking for new, as well as classic, releases of games starring their favorite Nintendo characters. With the recent advent of the classic NES series now being released for the Gameboy Advance SP, we can see that even a basic 2D 8-bit game can be desired and enjoyed alongside our robust and aesthetically pleasing 3D blockbusters. Even though with the release of the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP and the new exciting trend of 3D hand-held systems, I believe that there will always be a place in gamer’s hearts and hands for classic 2D-style gaming reminiscent of the brilliant designs from the golden age of gaming. In the future there will most likely be a small niche market of 2D releases which the gaming community will deem acceptable.
Chewy Chozo
We should recognize and appreciate the genre and art of 2D gaming. We can’t neglect the fact that this is where it all started. I’m sure most of us can remember a time when we played a simple 2D game for as many hours as we did Metroid Prime or Final Fantasy X. Well, maybe not quite that long, but you get my point. Graphics aren’t everything. And I know you’ve heard that a million times before. Ok, so some of the 8-bit graphics and programming are a little hard to deal with for a modern day gamer, but how can we deny the expertise in game design and game play pioneered with titles like Zelda, Contra, and the world renown Super Mario Brothers? This tradition of excellence in 2D design was carried into the 16-bit era with games like Chrono Trigger and Yoshi’s Island on the Super Nintendo, and Sonic the Hedgehog and Ghouls ‘N Ghosts on the Sega Genesis.
The Gameboy Advance brought 2D gaming back into the limelight reaching a larger market than before. This was mainly due to Nintendo’s marketing and low price points aimed at a younger customer base. They managed to do this while still maintaining their very loyal but older diehard gamer fans who were looking for new, as well as classic, releases of games starring their favorite Nintendo characters. With the recent advent of the classic NES series now being released for the Gameboy Advance SP, we can see that even a basic 2D 8-bit game can be desired and enjoyed alongside our robust and aesthetically pleasing 3D blockbusters. Even though with the release of the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP and the new exciting trend of 3D hand-held systems, I believe that there will always be a place in gamer’s hearts and hands for classic 2D-style gaming reminiscent of the brilliant designs from the golden age of gaming. In the future there will most likely be a small niche market of 2D releases which the gaming community will deem acceptable.
Chewy Chozo
posted by Binary Bot at 7:30 PM
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