Classic video games are still close to our hearts

Video and computer games continue to evolve and new technology has allowed them to be more advanced than ever before, but more than half of Americans say newer isn’t always better.

A new report found more than 3 in 4 Americans would still play classic computer/video games if they were available and almost half say they’d be willing to donate money or crowdfund to get a new version of their favorite classic games.

The most played classic computer (PC) games: Solitaire, Minesweeper, The Sims, Frogger, Doom.

The most played classic video games: Super Mario Kart, Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

68% who own classic consoles still use them regularly.

Favorite retro video and computer games and why classic video games are still close to our hearts

A Twitch streamer made national headlines earlier this month when he uploaded every Super Nintendo manual and posted them online for free. It was welcome news for the 39% of Americans who still play classic video games and the 21% who have bought a classic console just to play an old favorite game again.

Why are Americans so obsessed with the classics? More than 3 in 5 say they turn to the old games because they remind them of their childhood and 80% say they feel nostalgic when playing classic games.

The most played classic computer games

"Remember playing Oregon Trail when you faced almost certain death at the hands of anything from a river to dysentery? Or maybe you tried your shot at Frogger and dodged as much as you could on that busy street to get safely to the other side. Or did you battle it out with friends using bananas and shells in Super Mario Kart?

While new is nice, many Americans would prefer to bring back the past… at least when it comes to classic computer games and video games (from the late 80s, 90s, and early 2000s). A new survey of more than 1,000 Americans finds many would be willing to spend money to be able to play their favorite childhood games again. 

If people could rewind the clock, the first computer game they’d click on would be card games like Hearts or Minesweeper. Nearly 60% have played the classic PC computer game, and a lot of them still do. Nearly 1 out of 3 (32%) admit to still actively playing it! 

The other classic computer games people played the most include Minesweeper, The Sims, Frogger, and Doom. Almost 2 out of 5 (39%) people still play classic computer games. In fact, Americans actually spend an average of 3.5 hours a week playing them! 

As for those who no longer have the game or a computer they can play on, they miss those games a lot. More than 4 out of 5 (85%) said they would still play these games if they could," said Neal Taparia.

Most missed computer games by generation

"When it comes to classic computer games, every generation chose a different one as their favorite! The top game for Gen Z (ages 18-25) was Club Penguin, Millennials (26-41) miss The Oregon Trail, Gen X (42-57) could go for another game of Frogger, and Baby Boomers (58-76) wish they could play Doom again. 

However, there was some crossover across generations. The Sims is a top game for every generation. Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X are big fans of The Oregon Trail. Gen X and Baby Boomers also both share a love of Frogger and Doom. 

These games really made an impact, because 81% of people surveyed said they miss playing classic computer and video games," said Neal Taparia.

Take a look at the full report for additional statistics including the most missed games by generation, the classic games people still actively play most, and more. https://solitaired.com/favorite-video-and-computer-games