RetroGaming

Given all the child predators on Roblox, can't blame ya

I am “guilty” of showing my daughter classic movies including some black and white ones.

I think everyone should watch those, it is like studying the life and culture of the past.

As for games, my partner does not allow gaming at all.

I have had an N-64 plugged into the back of my TV for 25 years straight. The TV has changed. My kids were raised on this shit.

Honestly this is how my parents(‘ generation) got me into gaming, pre-NES, because I was playing their games on Atari and Intellivision. I don’t know if it was the NES’s marketing or what that made people associate video games = for kids, but they were all in their 20s at the time and they had a blast with that stuff. Actually now that I think about it my grandma was mean at Burger Time back in the day.

"Cool" uncle (citation needed), did expose kids to games released 2 to 3 decades before their time occasionally.

I was a bit surprised that even rough 8-bit sprite graphics can capture their interest. An 8 year old trying to make sense of the pixelly mess that's a Metroid creature sprite can be funny.

This one dad wrote an article about introducing his kid to retro gaming, starting with the old Atari console and progressing through newer generations every few months.

https://medium.com/message/playing-with-my-son-e5226ff0a7c3

(some of the image links are broken on the original article so here's an archive link)

My 3yos two favorite games are Mario 64 and Rhythm Heaven (in literally any form, but 3ds most approachable). The latter is especially funny that the 1yo is getting in on the references; "Wabba dubba dubba, that true?" and they both go "Un." Might be a Halloween costume in the making.

And don't get her started on those Rock and Roll frogs.

definitely one day

Games back then were made to be games. Games now are made to be addicting. Honestly I think it's a good idea to stick to the old school games for as long as possible.

C64 reboot: https://a.co/d/2uyn43m

we are currently playing stardew valley and I don't think harvest moon would hit as well, but maybe that's an exception overall, they truly just enjoy hard simpler games like the classics are

We have a whole retro game station complete with CRT that they can play. They love Mario, Duck Hunt, some of the other games and are now gravitating to Gameboy, SNES and PS One. They like the Switch too, but usually go for the older stuff first.

One thing about old games (pre n64), is that you don't have to worry about controlling the camera. Younger kids like 5 or so have a hard time enough time timing button presses so making them also have to figure out how to control the camera is very frustrating for them. Isometric, top down, and point and clicks work best for younger kids.

I also think the super Nintendo controller is the best for children and people with small hands. 8bitdo makes a good modern one with more buttons and triggers so you can play modern games.

Introducing kids to old games is great, but restricting them from experiencing their own generations culture, not so much

As long as we all raise our kids this way, they won't be out of touch with their peers!