Japanese gaming television show Game Center CX, known for its retro game segments, has officially recognized games from the Wii and PlayStation 3 eras as retro. This decision followed an extensive viewer poll where a significant majority supported the inclusion of these consoles in the show's retro category.
The poll, conducted by the program which stars comedian Shinya Arino, garnered over 14,000 responses, with 71% voting in favor of classifying Wii and PS3 games as retro. A subsequent round saw this percentage rise to 80% among nearly 17,000 participants. Following the vote, Arino announced that games from both consoles will now be considered for inclusion in the show's retro segments.
This development prompts reflection on the definition of retro gaming, particularly within the PC gaming community. If the Wii and PS3, nearing their 20th anniversaries, are now considered retro, then a host of PC titles released around the same time would also fall under this umbrella. Such games include 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 Company of Heroes. The shift raises questions about how such designations are made and whether existing definitions adequately capture the evolution of gaming history.
While some might prefer more distinct era classifications, the "retro" label offers a broadly understood, albeit subjective, category for older games. The inclusion of Wii and PS3 titles suggests a broadening definition of what constitutes retro, potentially challenging long-held perceptions and leading to discussions about the subjective nature of gaming nostalgia. The implications extend to how future releases, like Grand Theft Auto 6, might be viewed in the context of retro gaming decades from now, potentially diminishing the distinctiveness of truly foundational retro titles.