[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by DrNefario

My games library is probably in no better shape than my ebook library. I have bought games on gog and steam while not owning any hardware capable of playing them. I have rebought games multiple times without ever finishing them. I don't really see it as too much of a problem, as long as I strive to keep a lid on it, as I do with ebooks.

Did so as well, with regard to rebuying. I now have the GOG.com versions of Neverwinter Nights 2 and Dragon Age, even though I had the physical versions before and never finished them.

I think the situation now - with the likes of gog repackaging old games with emulators; with console manufacturers emulating old systems on new hardware; with games being ported to iOS and android for smartphones - is better than it has ever been for preserving old games.

True, with regard to keeping them running. Their graphics are becoming really hard on the eyes though, on newer monitors. 640x480 on a 15 inch CRT was fine. On a 2560x1440 monitor... not so much.

I also feel that games now are typically written in a more agnostic way - they aren't so tied to the hardware - and can be updated and ported more easily. I rather suspect the Enhanced Edition of Baldur's Gate is easier to work with than the original.

Yes, true enough. However, Beamdog ported te game to the BG2 engine before fixing that engine to run on newer systems without hacks. The original Baldur's Gate experience is gone. As your character now has capabilities provided by the BG2 engine, but the enemies don't, you're going to become overpowered very fast.

Not to mention the huge amount of game breaking bugs on release, and the adding of 'new' content that is NOT on par with the original. You don't jackass with a classic.

They should have just written a new GUI for the original BG1, fix the original engine, and (re)create higher resolution portraits and graphics were possible.

Whether or not a game feels dated is another question. On the one hand, yes, there are obvious technical shortcomings on older games, particularly those with young technologies - Wolfenstein might look blocky, because it's at the start of the 3D wave, but something contemporary like Final Fantasy V still looks pretty great because 2D Sprite art was mature - and they are going to look primitive unless they are rewritten. On the other hand, is the failure to see past the primitive graphics actually a lack of sophistication in the audience? Like not being able to appreciate a black & white film, or a silent film? The game of Wolfenstein is still pretty fun.

I partly agree. While I can look past low-end graphics and still play old games, I do concede the fact that The Witcher 3 is much more awesome to be looking at than Baldur's Gate 2... or even Dragon Age (2009) which blew me away back then.

Originally Posted by Catlady

Yes, I'd seen that, but it's expensive doesn't have the silly games I loved: Adventures of Lolo (1, 2, and 3), Mappy Land, and Kickle Cubicle. I've tried the online versions of a couple of them, but the controls feel awkward and confusing. I wish I could have them as apps.

If you are somewhat technically inclined, or know someone who is, it's easy enough to setup a NES/SNES emulator, find some ROMs on the internet, and play the games using a €15 controller.

I know; using downloaded ROMs isn't really legal if you don't own the physical versions as well, but I doubt anyone will care. This would be a decision you'd have to make for yourself.