Nostalgia
Ongoing coverage on Nostalgia.
Latest coverage
The Big Question: What's your video game happy place?
Several Eurogamer staff members share their personal 'happy places' in video games, discussing titles that offer comfort, nostalgia, or a sense of accomplishment. These range from the expansive exploration of No Man's Sky and the challenging yet meditative worlds of FromSoftware games to the simple joys found in games like Super Mario 64 and Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic.
47 video game things that spark joy
This article compiles a list of small, often overlooked moments in video games that bring players joy, ranging from humorous bugs and satisfying combat mechanics to clever design choices and nostalgic elements. Contributors share personal anecdotes about specific instances that enhance their gaming experience, highlighting the unique pleasures the medium can offer.
Pokemon Gold and Silver keep getting referenced by official accounts, and I'm willing myself to believe the classic…
Official accounts from Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have been referencing Pokemon Gold and Silver, sparking speculation about a potential revival of Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver on the Nintendo Switch. These references, combined with recent updates for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen and the upcoming Pokemon Home support, suggest a possible celebration of the Johto region's legacy.
Everything New In Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4
Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4, titled "Override," has launched, focusing on millennial video game nostalgia with numerous crossovers. The season introduces new weapons like the Mega Blaster and Kingdom Key, alongside skins featuring characters such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, and Mega Man. The update also brings significant map changes, including Green Hill Zone and Tetris-themed areas, and a new "Overrides" mechanic offering various in-game buffs.
There isn't an official Lego Xbox, so Mattel just said "fine, I'll do it myself"
Mattel Brick Shop has released a 3,509-piece, 1:1 scale replica of the original Xbox console and its 'Duke' controller to celebrate the console's 25th anniversary. The model features interactive lights and sounds, and opens to reveal dioramas from Halo: Combat Evolved, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and Psychonauts.
Duskfade Review – Time to Clock In
Duskfade is a 3D platformer with hack-and-slash combat that evokes classics from the PS1 and PS2 eras, but features modern production values and a surprisingly deep narrative exploring themes of grief and nostalgia. While the combat can feel shallow, the engaging platforming, imaginative environments, and charming story make it an approachable and enjoyable experience for families, with a campaign lasting around 10-12 hours. The game reviewed on PC performed exceptionally well, maintaining high frame rates.
EverQuest Legends is the only MMO that could hook me in 2026
EverQuest Legends offers a modernized take on the classic MMO, aiming to recapture the nostalgia of its original 1999 release while making the experience more accessible. Developed by Game Jawn, it retains the core feel of EverQuest but removes harsh mechanics like corpse runs and adds features like in-game maps to encourage longer play sessions. While Project 1999 offers a free, more authentic classic experience, Legends seeks to be a game players will actively return to.
Agent 64: Spies Never Die Review – A Commendable Tribute
Agent 64: Spies Never Die is a commendable retro shooter that successfully evokes nostalgia for games like GoldenEye 007, but struggles to stand on its own as a modern experience. While its mission and level design are solid, the game suffers from clunky aiming, inconsistent AI, and a lack of compelling narrative elements. Despite its flaws, it offers enough content and boomer shooter mayhem to be enjoyable for fans of the genre.
Boomer shooters tar oss tillbaka till spelglädjen
The "boomer shooter" subgenre, inspired by 90s FPS classics like Doom and Quake, is gaining popularity by prioritizing gameplay mechanics over complex narratives and graphics. This retro approach emphasizes player freedom, interactivity, and straightforward action, offering a refreshing alternative to modern, cinematic-style shooters.
Agent 64: Spies Never Die Review - Party like it's 1997
Agent 64: Spies Never Die is a PC first-person shooter that heavily emulates the style and gameplay of Goldeneye 007. Developed by Replicant D6, the game features a spy narrative, varied mission objectives, and a soundtrack reminiscent of the late 90s. While it successfully recaptures the look and feel of its inspiration, its dated controls and mechanics may only appeal to players with strong nostalgia for the era.
Agent 64: Spies Never Die review: A callback to the era of unlockables
Agent 64: Spies Never Die is a PC shooter that aims to recapture the multiplayer experience of the Nintendo 64 era, particularly Goldeneye. While it succeeds in its nostalgic presentation and offers a wealth of modes and unlockables, its storytelling is mediocre and the progression system requiring "cyphers" can be frustrating. The game is available on PC.
Why is everyone playing Call of Duty: Black Ops in 2026?
Despite missing features and technical issues, the recent ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II have seen a surge in popularity. The article suggests this resurgence is driven by a desire for the series' simpler, pick-up-and-play gameplay and a nostalgic look back at a less contentious era of online gaming, rather than remakes or updates. It contrasts this with the complexities of modern live service games and acknowledges the problematic aspects of older online communities.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush Hands-on Preview - Childhood racing come to life
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush offers a nostalgic racing experience with four car types and challenges across four islands, including time trials and races against Rush Masters. Players can also build and customize their own tracks. The game is set to release on September 10, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush Hands-on Preview - Childhood racing come to life
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush offers a nostalgic racing experience with four car types and challenges across four islands, including time trials and races against Rush Masters. Players can also build and customize their own tracks. The game is set to release on September 10, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Games Inbox: Why are Call Of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 so popular?
This article discusses the surprising resurgence in popularity of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II, attributing it to nostalgia despite them being straight ports. It also touches on EA's developer layoffs, Amazon Luna's performance, and the ongoing debate about game map size versus content.
Review: 70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X (Nintendo Switch)
70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X is a side-scrolling shooter for the Nintendo Switch that recreates the experience of watching 70s robot anime. Originally released in Japan for PlayStation in 1999, this remastered version by Bliss Brain focuses on its unique presentation with episodes, commercials, and anime frames, offering a charming nostalgic experience. While the gameplay is considered just 'OK' with clunky controls and dated mechanics, the overall presentation and bonus features make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre and era, though the $40 price point may be a barrier for some.
Silent Hill: Townfall's devs say they're purposefully playing against your nostalgic tech feelings, but I'm not sure it'll work on me
Developers of Silent Hill: Townfall are intentionally using '90s analog technology, like a portable CRT replacing the series' iconic radio, to play against players' nostalgic feelings. Director Jon McKellan explained that while they have a fondness for this tech, they aim to create unease by making players rely on devices that feel unstable and unreliable. The author questions whether this approach will be effective on players with a personal connection to such retro technology.
League of Legends Classic reminds us why we loved the old game and why we left it behind
League of Legends Classic offers a nostalgic trip back to the Season 3 era, reminding players of the game's early appeal and the reasons for its evolution. While it successfully recaptures the magic of older versions with classic elements, the article suggests that nostalgia alone may not sustain long-term engagement, highlighting the improvements made to the modern game's player experience.
The Spectrum White Edition interview: ‘it smells the same as Christmas Day 1984'
Retro Games CTO Chris Smith discusses the company's mission to recreate classic 8-bit computers like the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 with modern hardware. The Spectrum White Edition aims to capture the original experience, including programming capabilities, while offering modern conveniences like HDMI output and save states. Smith highlights the challenges of hardware replication and the importance of preserving gaming history for both nostalgic adults and curious younger generations.
Has 'Xbox 360 brown' nostalgia finally arrived?
The article discusses the potential return of 'Xbox 360 brown,' a trend characterized by desaturated colors and gritty themes that emerged in the mid-2000s. While acknowledging that current games like Gears of War: E-Day still incorporate this aesthetic, the author suggests a full revival is unlikely but a moderate comeback of low-saturation grime could be a natural evolution following current trends like PS1-style low-poly models.
