5 Retro Gaming Trends That Need to Make a Comeback

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Gaming has come a long way, with huge improvements in graphics, world design, and gameplay. But despite all the advancements, many of us still feel nostalgic for older games. It’s amazing how simple pixelated games could still tell such captivating stories. While I appreciate everything modern gaming offers, there are definitely some elements from the past I’d love to see return.

It’s easy to get annoyed with how gaming is changing. New consoles cost a lot, and games often try to get you to spend more money on in-game items. But it’s not just about the cost – I miss some of the things that made older games great. Things like consoles that came in bright colors and interesting designs were simply more enjoyable. Here are five older gaming trends I’d love to see return.

5. Colorful Consoles / Controllers by Default

To be honest, I wasn’t quick to get the Switch 2 because of its plain, all-black design. The original Switch had bright, colorful Joy-Cons that made it feel more playful, and Nintendo has always been known for colorful consoles – think of the purple GameCube! But lately, everything feels less vibrant. Even the standard PlayStation 5 DualSense controller is just…black. Where are the fun, colorful buttons?

While sophisticated and professional designs are fine, do games really *need* to always look that way? Some people may prefer a simple look for their gaming setup, but I really wish consoles came in bright, fun colors automatically. I don’t want to have to wait for limited editions or pay extra for digital skins just to add a little personality to my games.

4. Instruction Booklets With Game Lore 

Anybody else miss video game booklets?
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Digital games have lost something special: the game booklet. Remember opening a new game and finding a booklet inside? It usually had helpful tips, but often contained extra story details and secrets you couldn’t find anywhere else. It was a fun, physical way to connect with a brand new game, and those booklets are definitely missed.

I mostly buy games digitally now, but the physical copies I’ve purchased lately feel a bit lacking. They usually just contain the game cartridge itself, without any of the extra goodies like detailed artwork or background information that used to be included. I really miss having those physical game manuals – please bring them back!

3. Cheat Codes

Cheat codes hold a special place in gaming history for many of us. I remember spending hours finding codes for *The Sims 2* – “Motherlode” was a classic! While some games, like *The Sims 4*, still include them, cheat codes aren’t as common these days. Mods have largely taken their place, allowing players who are comfortable with it to customize games however they like.

Cheat codes used to be a great way to discover secret features and content in games. They often originated as tools developers used while making the game, giving us a peek behind the scenes. With the rise of mods, downloadable content, and evolving development practices, I really miss that extra layer of fun and discovery that cheat codes provided.

2. Split Screen / Couch Co-Op 

I think we’re starting to see a comeback for local split-screen multiplayer games. For a while now, it’s been much more common to play games online with friends, which makes sense given how easy online matchmaking is. But there’s still something special about playing games side-by-side with someone on the same couch.

My husband and I were recently looking for games we could play together, and I was surprised by how few options there are. Besides a few games like *It Takes Two* and the LEGO series, many newer titles don’t offer local split-screen co-op the way they used to. I’m hoping this feature makes a comeback, and some recent game releases give me hope that it will.

1. Games That Are Actually Complete at Release

When I used to browse GameStop for new games, they were fully finished products right in the box. You bought it, played it, and that was the complete experience. While updates and downloadable content have added a lot to gaming, they’ve also, in some ways, taken something away from players.

As a gamer, it feels like a lot of games are coming out feeling unfinished these days. It’s like developers are relying on patches to fix things later, and sometimes it really backfires – remember *Mindseye*? We’re even seeing it with bigger titles like the *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* DLC situation. It’s weird because even after you beat a game, they can still add more content and ask you to pay for it! Honestly, I really wish more games would just be *finished* when they launch, with a complete story ready to go. It would be so refreshing to have that full experience right from the start.

What classic video game trends would you love to see return? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-19 00:15