A gaming enthusiast has turned to older consoles like the SNES and Sega Saturn for enjoyment, citing widespread disappointments in the current video game landscape. With reports of retailer GAME facing bankruptcy and Ubisoft in turmoil, the reader argues that retro titles offer a more satisfying alternative to live service models and high-cost subscriptions.
In early 2026, the video game industry appears to be in crisis, according to a reader's submission to Metro News. The piece, published on February 1, highlights an 'avalanche of bad news,' including GAME likely going bust, Ubisoft 'circling the drain,' and dismal console sales over the Christmas period. The author laments a shift away from triple-A single-player games toward 'one or two live service games a year' and endless subscriptions, predicting a future of fewer standalone titles and pricier hardware.
Disillusioned, the reader has pivoted to retro gaming, a trend they note has grown over several years. Their journey began with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), which they praise for its availability on modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This service includes classics from various systems, such as the Mega Drive, along with obscure Japanese releases. The reader owns a US and Japanese SNES, avoiding European models due to their slower speeds and black borders, and collects rarities like Wild Guns, Castlevania: Dracula X, and Hagane: The Final Conflict.
Current focus lies on the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast. The Saturn, a commercial success in Japan but a flop elsewhere, fascinates the collector with its wealth of region-exclusive titles. 'I’ve had as much fun researching the Saturn and learning about its games as I have playing them,' the reader writes, identifying as a collector despite wishing they had engaged with it contemporaneously. Favorites include the ninja action game Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru, mech title Bulk Slash, shooter Radiant Silvergun, Sōkyūgurentai, and platformer Tryrush Deppy. While acquiring these in good condition can be costly, the satisfaction of physical ownership trumps modern digital licenses costing £70 or in-game cosmetics at £20+.
The reader concludes that retro gaming's 'whole world' of undiscovered gems will outlast the imploding triple-A sector, reigniting their passion for the medium.
