[dorkatlarge]

How mainstream do you consider your tastes as a video game fan? Do you mostly care about major releases and established franchises? Do you like things which most other fans would consider obscure and niche? Do you find yourself somewhere in the middle? Or do you feel that you don't belong to any one category?

If you've found your interests have changed over the years, be sure to say so. Some people like to stay with a few franchises and genres, while others find their tastes grow closer or further from the mainstream.

Why do I bring this up? Because while browsing a bookstore today, I noticed the new print EGM magazine, as well as the new Gamefan magazine. I flipped through both, and bought the latter one. New EGM had some content I cared about, but I only felt deeply interested in maybe a third of it. New Gamefan also had content that was relevant to my interests, but I seriously cared about maybe sixty percent of it.

It wasn't that long ago that my video game interests were pretty mainstream. I liked Super Mario, Tetris, and games that were current at nearby arcades. Then I got into Zelda 2, which eventually helped me become a pretty dedicated RPG fanboy. In more recent years, I've tried content which is not even close to mainstream: a few bullet hell shmups, a few artsy/experimental indie games, and a variety of translated / originally-in-English visual novels. Perhaps someday soon I'll devote more time to graphic adventure games, or try some of the western RPGs I've heard so much about.

[fotaku07]

I flip flop between old school mainstream games and doujinshi games from Japan. I love me some R-Type/STG shooters long time. My faves so far are eXceed3rd Jade Penetrate and Ake-Bre.

Never could get into mainstream sport games. Use to be big into RPG but I don't have the hours to dedicate like I did in college. All the next gen games are pretty expensive. So that probably explains why I like cheaper older games or doujinshi games.

[Voxx]

I play whatever I think is fun and interests me. I dont think I have a category of game interests though.

My favorite games: Galaga, Super Mario, LOZ games, Dokopon Kingdom, Osu Takedae Oendan, Phantasy Star, Tetris, Left4dead, MW2, All of the Jak and Daxter games, Resident Evil 4 and others, but these are my favs that I can think of.

So um... I like a lot of games from the oldies, to handheld, to consoles of many generations.

[Sir Viver]

My tastes are pretty niche/picky, though the occasional mainstream game like Katamari Damacy, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Devil May Cry, Portal, and others may catch my interest and work their way into my collection if I find them enjoyable.

[kenkendazo]

Sir Viver, on May 3 2010, 11:48 PM, said:

My tastes are pretty niche/picky, though the occasional mainstream game like Katamari Damacy, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Devil May Cry, Portal, and others may catch my interest and work their way into my collection if I find them enjoyable.

Yes. Mine are nichey as hell. But I won't pass up a good mainstream game either.

[TaiyakiOni]

Both i suppose? I am always looking for Doujin games but I also like to play mainstream games that catch my attention. ( Borderlands ftw! )

[KirbyFanOne]

I find I'm more mainstream in my tastes. I've been playing Halo/COD since the days of Halo 2, and rarely take ganders at unestablished franchises or less mainstream games. Except for Saints Row. I played the demo and loved it since I love sandbox games. Now I think it has the potential to overtake GTA. And Crackdown, even though I wasn't too excited for it, seems to grow on me.

It's hard for me to take such risks especially when I spend so much on games already.

[XenoBlade]

I'm pretty niche. not many hardcore games on this board. Just a few.

I doubt more then 10 would know what Gunstar Heroes is. (scratch that, I'll say play) lol

more anime folk then gaming folk here.

[Sir Viver]

XenoBlade, on May 9 2010, 10:40 PM, said:

I doubt more then 10 would know what Gunstar Heroes is. (scratch that, I'll say play) lol

This is saddening, but probably true... moreover, I'm guessing an even smaller percentage here have heard of Dynamite Headdy, and even smaller than that, Alien Soldier.

This post has been edited by Sir Viver: 09 May 2010 - 10:31 PM

[Ishoku Osero]

I'm pretty much all over the place with my interests. I'm more likely to rummage through the video game section of stores/second-hand shops and buy whatever catches my interest than I am to wait for new games to come out and buy them the second they hit the shelf (though I'm also pretty picky with how much money is going towards gaming, especially these days with all the manga and figures I'm buying ). Due to having a lot of friends that are basically hardcore gamers, I never really know what's mainstream and what isn't, just for the fact that they buy everything and anything and I'll play through stuff with them whenever I'm over.

I do admit that I haven't played some major franchises, though, like Final Fantasy. I own the first game for the PSP, just because someone keeps bugging me to try it, but I have yet to pick it up. I can't figure out why none of those games have ever interested me, when I've played so many other RPG games to where I probably should've played ALL of the FF series by now.

[Matt PNiewski]

I really don't know what counts as Mainstream for gaming.... I mean, really, for me its a matter of what seems interesting for the price at the time. Unless the title involves a combination of Aliens and Predator (the games, like the movies, might not be great but are still a must for me), you won't find me stoked for one. I do know that I have a love for "UmJammer Lammy"which not many have heard of......Or maybe they think I'm speaking "Pootie Tang-Speak" when I say it.

[Lina]

Matt PNiewski, on May 10 2010, 12:45 AM, said:

I really don't know what counts as Mainstream for gaming.... I mean, really, for me its a matter of what seems interesting for the price at the time. Unless the title involves a combination of Aliens and Predator (the games, like the movies, might not be great but are still a must for me), you won't find me stoked for one. I do know that I have a love for "UmJammer Lammy"which not many have heard of......Or maybe they think I'm speaking "Pootie Tang-Speak" when I say it.

UmJammer Lammy is awesome!!!!

[GITS SAC Motoko]

I've evolved over time. First I was all Nintendo,with Mario, Zelda and fighting games like Soul Calibur 2. Then I widened and got into Tekken, Mortal Combat and really loving fighting games, and in this mix was RPGs like Baten Kaitos, then I discovered the Tales series. I then joined the Halo bandwagon, I'm pretty much off of it now. Not really into the game "fads" anymore--like I was with Nintendo. Nowadays, I tend to go towards my N64 and nostalgic games, or whatever seems fun. I seem to play video games with my friends now, more than by myself.

[Kii]

Nerdiest topic ever.
Right here.

[KirbyFanOne]

Kii, on May 10 2010, 04:30 PM, said:

Nerdiest topic ever.
Right here.

It's amazing you can delcare that. I may be a Johnny Come Lately but surely there's been even nerdier topics?

[dorkatlarge]

I'm also not entirely sure what mainstream is anymore...

Sir Viver, on May 10 2010, 04:26 AM, said:

This is saddening, but probably true... moreover, I'm guessing an even smaller percentage here have heard of Dynamite Headdy, and even smaller than that, Alien Soldier.

I not only know what Gunstar Heroes is, but I have the original Genesis cartridge. It cost me about $5, thanks to a used media store. Also, since I listened to the RetroforceGo podcast, I know quite a bit about Dynamite Headdy and Alien Soldier (which Chad Concelmo called "the Showgirls of video games").

Ishoku Osero, you said that you haven't played a Final Fantasy game just yet, despite owning FF1 on PSP. I admit some of my like for the first Final Fantasy was due to playing it on a NES back when there were maybe two console RPGs per year in English. But in case you weren't aware, FF1 is about five percent party customization, ninety percent combat and level building, and maybe five percent story. From there, the series has changed a LOT. (I personally recommend FF6 if you like story, and FF5 if you're interested in class changes and formulating strategies.)

[Sir Viver]

dorkatlarge, on May 10 2010, 05:40 PM, said:

I not only know what Gunstar Heroes is, but I have the original Genesis cartridge. It cost me about $5, thanks to a used media store. Also, since I listened to the RetroforceGo podcast, I know quite a bit about Dynamite Headdy and Alien Soldier (which Chad Concelmo called "the Showgirls of video games").

They're pretty excellent. If there's any Disc Replays or similar stores nearby you, Dynamite Headdy shouldn't run you more than $2. Too bad the same can't be said for Alien Soldier. There's cheaper ways to play it, though, like on the Wii's virtual console, or attaining it in some other format, possibly using a search engine of some kind, not to mention some undisclosed method of playing this outstanding software.

This post has been edited by Sir Viver: 10 May 2010 - 06:44 PM

[XenoBlade]

Sir Viver, on May 10 2010, 07:40 PM, said:

They're pretty excellent. If there's any Disc Replays or similar stores nearby you, Dynamite Headdy shouldn't run you more than $2. Too bad the same can't be said for Alien Soldier. There's cheaper ways to play it, though, like on the Wii's virtual console, or attaining it in some other format, possibly using a search engine of some kind, not to mention some undisclosed method of playing this outstanding software.

I lol'd

I actually tried Dynamite Headdy not too long ago. It was really fun. But then again, Treasure rarely fails when it comes to fun (or difficultly) Man, even Bangai-O Spirits. Took me time to pick that up, but I was insanely addicted to it when I got use to it. Treasure seriously can't do wrong.

[Sir Viver]

XenoBlade, on May 10 2010, 08:10 PM, said:

I lol'd

I actually tried Dynamite Headdy not too long ago. It was really fun. But then again, Treasure rarely fails when it comes to fun (or difficultly) Man, even Bangai-O Spirits. Took me time to pick that up, but I was insanely addicted to it when I got use to it. Treasure seriously can't do wrong.

Yeah, the N64/Dreamcast original was a better game in hindsight, but the custom stage edit mode in Spirits was ridiculous enough to redeem the mostly so-so official stages. Check Youtube, people have made some pretty awesome levels. Friggin' shame about the method of sharing they chose, though.

The only Treasure games I didn't really care for were Advance Guardian Heroes and Stretch Panic. And even Stretch Panic wasn't that bad, it was just... more of a tech demo, than anything. (still more than worth the $2-5 you can find it for nowadays, though.)

This post has been edited by Sir Viver: 10 May 2010 - 09:34 PM

[Kii]

KirbyFanOne, on May 10 2010, 04:45 PM, said:

It's amazing you can delcare that. I may be a Johnny Come Lately but surely there's been even nerdier topics?

No. "How mainstream is your gaming style?" is pretty damn nerdy.
For real.

[Keiichi-chan]

aren't video games a pretty mainstream hobby overall, though?
it's like saying how obscure is your taste in movies.

that being said i own games like chulip and games like metal gear, so i don't really know.
do people brag how rare their game collection is? most of the valuable,
sought after rare games are just retro
games that were mainstream ten years ago, aren't they?

[Kii]

Keiichi-chan, on May 10 2010, 10:38 PM, said:

do people brag how rare their game collection is?

uh, yes? have you ever hung out with a pr0 gamer? that's all they ever do.

"so you ever hear of /insert name of obscure japanese shoot-em-up for sega saturn/?" /chestpuff/

[Sir Viver]

Keiichi-chan, on May 10 2010, 10:38 PM, said:

aren't video games a pretty mainstream hobby overall, though?
it's like saying how obscure is your taste in movies.

that being said i own games like chulip and games like metal gear, so i don't really know.
do people brag how rare their game collection is? most of the valuable,
sought after rare games are just retro
games that were mainstream ten years ago, aren't they?

It all depends. Some were obscure at their time of release and continued to be as such (see: Galerians, Chulip) while others were popular back in their day but are unknown amongst modern gamers who didn't grow up with them. (see: Shatterhand, Gunstar Heroes)

Most of the really expensive games that I own were ALWAYS obscure, sans perhaps a few. Though a friend of mine has a collection which makes mine look pathetic, with such games as Recca and Mr. Gimmick for the Famicom and Alien Soldier for the Mega Drive (Genesis). Those games are literally worth their weight in gold. Me = jealous.

On the note of a "mainstream gaming style"... is such a thing even possible?

This post has been edited by Sir Viver: 10 May 2010 - 09:55 PM

[Keiichi-chan]

Sir Viver, on May 10 2010, 10:49 PM, said:

It all depends. Some were obscure at their time of release and continued to be as such (see: Galerians, Chulip) while others were popular back in their day but are unknown amongst modern gamers who didn't grow up with them. (see: Shatterhand, Gunstar Heroes)

Most of the really expensive games that I own were ALWAYS obscure, sans perhaps a few. Though a friend of mine has a collection which makes mine look pathetic, with such games as Recca and Mr. Gimmick for the Famicom and Alien Soldier for the Mega Drive (Genesis). Those games are literally worth their weight in gold. Me = jealous.

On the note of a "mainstream gaming style"... is such a thing even possible?

can't you find most of the games you want on ebay, if you have enough cash to spend?
i dunno, i just don't feel like i'm a haxxcore gamer or whatever if i just have a massive wallet and can
buy as many obscure titles as i want. shouldn't there be a deeper test of knowledge and immersion into
the subculture or something?

[Riceninja]

Blizzard and Valve are my adoptive parents. My tastes should be up there.

[Sir Viver]

Keiichi-chan, on May 10 2010, 11:17 PM, said:

can't you find most of the games you want on ebay, if you have enough cash to spend?
i dunno, i just don't feel like i'm a haxxcore gamer or whatever if i just have a massive wallet and can
buy as many obscure titles as i want. shouldn't there be a deeper test of knowledge and immersion into
the subculture or something?

There sort of is, in a way. You can have all the money in the world but without the knowledge of what games are really that good (or subjectively, i.e. what caters most to your interests) you won't know what to look for. While a lot of the "greats" out there cost a pretty penny, there's always... other... methods of enjoying the games, you know? Actually paying to have them sitting on your shelf is more of the collector's mindset. Despite what some elitists out there think, having more money to spend doesn't make you a better person. What types of games (and other media) you enjoy, and how far you're willing to dig into the obscure to find some gems, says more about someone than the size of their wallet. Yeah, there's the "YOU LIKE [insert classic but expensive game title here] BUT YOU DON'T ACTUALLY OWN IT?! POSERRR!" people, but really, the only people you're hurting by not buying out-of-print games are gougers on eBay.

Spoiler

There's a reason MAME exists. Arcade boards are ungodly expensive.

Note: While I may have mentioned emulation in this thread, I thoroughly believe in supporting the games you enjoy, and if it's still in print, by all means, buy it new. (If you want more games from its developers/ publishers, anyway.)

This post has been edited by Sir Viver: 10 May 2010 - 11:24 PM

[Keiichi-chan]

yeah, that's definitely true. i realized after i wrote it, to even know OF the obscure game you're
buying, you need a certain level of hardcore knowledge to know what it is and that it's something worth
checking out that might fit your taste.

[Sir Viver]

Keiichi-chan, on May 11 2010, 12:23 AM, said:

yeah, that's definitely true. i realized after i wrote it, to even know OF the obscure game you're
buying, you need a certain level of hardcore knowledge to know what it is and that it's something worth
checking out that might fit your taste.

Pretty much. There needs to be a good site for "if you like _____ then you might like ____", sort of like the sidebar on Gamespot but not stupid and irrelevant half the time.

[Soy Sauce]

*stares at his collection* I guess my tastes are mainstream.

[Jeff]

Mainstream has been pissing me off lately. Greybrownfirstpersonshooter is probably the most bland and unentertaining game I have ever played. Colorfuluniqueadventure is a wonderful experience and I've played through the games campaign several times.