LONG BLOG
Discussing: Introduced by Emulation
I wrote a review for Metroid after replaying it recently on my NES. This was the first time I had played through the game in five years or so, when I first got my NES copy. However, the first time I played Metroid was via an NES emulator back in the early 2000s. And not only was it my first time playing the first Metroid, it was my first time playing any Metroid game. It’s the game that got me into the series. After playing it, I got Metroid Fusion and Metroid: First Mission for my GBA and rented Metroid Prime for my GameCube. I didn’t like Prime then but that’s another story that I’ve already told.
The point I want to make is I got into the Metroid series thanks to emulation. And it’s not the only one. The first Zelda game I played was Ocarina of Time but I didn’t like it. However, after I learned about emulation, I gave the first Legend of Zelda a try and I really liked it. That was the game that got me into the series. I gave Ocarina of Time another try and ended up quite enjoying it. I played a lot of RPGs for the first time via emulation, such as Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy IV, and Chrono Trigger. Basically, because of emulation, I was introduced to a lot more games than I had been before.
I’ve been gaming since I was six, which was in 1993. I’ve enjoyed a lot of games on my NES, SNES, Genesis, and beyond, but there were a lot of games and franchises that I missed because for whatever reason, I didn’t see them where I lived. The Legend of Zelda games were not in the rental stores I went to, nor were any of the Metroid games, Star Fox games, Phantasy Star games, or really any RPGs. They had plenty of Mario, Sonic, Donkey Kong, and fighting games though. So I only heard of these games later and thanks to the internet and emulation was I able to learn of and try these games out.
Because of this, I hold emulation in high regard. As a means to introduce older games to new gamers or to those who missed it in a convenient way. It’s similar to Spotify with music, as someone who is curious can look up Elton John or The Rolling Stones and check out their music and see if they like it. Both have a means to educate people on important releases in their respective mediums, regardless of how old it may be, and perhaps make them a fan. For example, that’s why I sought out an original NES copy of Metroid. I wanted to play it on the original console, with an original NES controller.
So have you ever been introduced to a game or a series through emulation? Do you think emulation is a good way to be introduced to older games? Why or why not? Let me know in the comment section. Peace and Love, gamers and players! Colorwind out.
Originally posted on colorwynd.wordpress.com
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