Wii and PS3 are retro the shocking view from Japan
For many gamers, the concept of retro gaming is less about specific hardware and more about a shared, nostalgic feeling—a twisted appreciation for the older stuff. But what exactly defines “retro”? Is it the console generation, the box art, or simply the memory attached to the experience? The debate over where the line is drawn often reveals more about our relationship with gaming than the games themselves.
Recently, this philosophical debate landed in the spotlight during a poll organized for a Japanese retro gaming television show. The show, which features comedian Shinya Arino as the host, recently held a vote to determine if games from older consoles should be classified as retro. The poll gathered over 14,000 responses, with the results showing overwhelming support. In the first round, 71% of voters favored including games from the Wii and PS3 consoles in the retro category. This sentiment solidified in a follow-up round, where the percentage rose to 80% among nearly 17,000 voters, confirming that these systems deserved a retro designation.
Arino declared that games from both the Wii and PS3 would indeed be considered for inclusion moving forward, effectively pushing the boundaries of what we consider a classic gaming era.
This discussion naturally spills over into the PC gaming sphere. If we accept the premise that certain consoles are retro, we must then ask what games on the PC align with that same era. This perspective broadens the definition of “old school” gaming, suggesting that titles like Medieval II: Total War, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Dawn of War – Dark Crusade, Neverwinter Nights 2, the first season of Telltale’s Sam & Max reboot, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, and even Company of Heroes should also be grouped into the retro fold.
Ultimately, deciding where to draw the line between gaming eras is less about technical specifications and more about personal preference. While it’s tempting to seek arbitrary divisions—like marking each console generation—it may be more fruitful to embrace a label that simply acknowledges the shared joy of older titles. The true value of “retro” lies not in rigid definitions, but in the collective agreement to celebrate the history of gaming, regardless of the hardware involved.
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