What's your definition of a retro gaming system?

[gamepopper101]

I have been asked this, would you believe, "What counts as retro in gaming?". In my opinion, a retro gaming system is a system (computer/operating system or console) that has lost its shelf life for more than 5 years. Meaning that the system has to had no new games made for it officially and is not sold as brand new in retail for more than 5 years.

Does anyone have a different opinion? Does anyone think that there's a fault with my definition?

Please tell

[Sirgin]

To me a "retro console" (if there is such a thing) is everything from 2 generations ago or more. Right now that would be the 5th generation and older.

When I speak of video game "generations", I'm refering to the way they're organised in Wikipedia. So the 5th generation would be the PSone, N64, Saturn, Jaguar and 3DO.

[NES_Rules]

To me "retro" in general means something that was once popular, faded into obscurity and is once again gaining popularity, and for the most part should be at least 20 or 30 years old. But with technology since it changes so rapidly, those numbers of years do not really apply, 15 years since the item was released is probably more realistic.

For video games, anything before the Atari 2600 is definitely retro, the NES and SMS would also be retro. The SNES and Genesis era stuff is just starting to become "retro" in my eyes. Everything newer than those isn't "retro" to me. Sure, systems like the PS1 and N64 are old and outdated, but they haven't faded into obscurity and come back to popularity yet. So I wouldn't consider them retro system yet.

[logical123]

To me "retro" in general means something that was once popular, faded into obscurity and is once again gaining popularity, and for the most part should be at least 20 or 30 years old. But with technology since it changes so rapidly, those numbers of years do not really apply, 15 years since the item was released is probably more realistic.

For video games, anything before the Atari 2600 is definitely retro, the NES and SMS would also be retro. The SNES and Genesis era stuff is just starting to become "retro" in my eyes. Everything newer than those isn't "retro" to me. Sure, systems like the PS1 and N64 are old and outdated, but they haven't faded into obscurity and come back to popularity yet. So I wouldn't consider them retro system yet.

I don't think that the N64 will ever fade out all that much. Most of my generation has one, and still play it to this day. Well, I guess the same can be said with every console, right?

I'd agree with gamepopper in setting a date on when the console becomes classic or retro, but 5 years is far too many. I'd say perhaps 7-10 years, but I would need to do some research.

[Sirgin]

Sure, systems like the PS1 and N64 are old and outdated, but they haven't faded into obscurity and come back to popularity yet. So I wouldn't consider them retro system yet.

I don't think consoles (from now on) will ever fade into obscurity anymore. They'll just stay popular.

[BadEnoughDude]

SNES and Genesis is where the retro line gets a little hazy for me. Pseudo-retro certainly, but I think they need to marinade a little more before they become proper retro.

[Izret101]

Think of consoles like music.

70s are big band
80s are oldies.
90s are more like classic rock
00s are not exactly new your still going to hear it with other current releases.

Maybe not the best of comparisons but it made sense in my head.

[gamepopper101]

I'd agree with gamepopper in setting a date on when the console becomes classic or retro, but 5 years is far too many. I'd say perhaps 7-10 years, but I would need to do some research.

My idea of five years came from the Dreamcast, the system was discontinued in 2001, but the first time that I heard people classify it as retro was back in 2006.

[froggin ashbowl]

Hmmm I sense the lack of middle ground between current gen and retro. Maybe as more years pass and more systems are created, played, supported, and retired, THEN we all have a clearer idea.
For now though, I'd say retro game systems consist of 16-bit systems and earlier since 32-bit CD based games really changed things dramatically.

[Tan]

20 years I'd say. Cars are considered classics, computers vintage and a generation of kids have grown to adulthood since. In a 5 year or 10 year cycle, the PS2 would already be considered retro yet it's sold in stores. The N64, PS1 and DC were sold during the first few years of the PS2's life. Today's twenty year olds remember the SNES and Genesis, so it can't be retro if the youngest adults had them, it at least has to be something from before their time.

[blcklblskt]

I agree with NES_Rules and Bad Enough Dude.  I feel that SNES and Genesis are somewhat retro, but still have their following.  PS1/N64, etc. era up is still relatively popular

[The Metamorphosing Leon]

NES

[Barracuda]

I'd have to agree with Tan on 20 years being considered retro.

[kamakazi20012]

For me, there are actually three categories I place my consoles under:  Retro, Classic, and Modern.   Retro games and consoles that fall under this category are those from the 80's and earlier.  Classic games and consoles are those that tried to keep it going during the 90s.  And, finally, the modern consoles are those that were introduced in the 21st century and current consoles. 

That's how I see it anyway. 

[bombatomba]

Such a subjective question.  Basically, any system that you get nostalgic for.  Also, if it is dead, it is fair game.