Using a nostalgia as a marketing tool

Generation X was the first to be introduced to the marketing boom of video games that occurred in the 80's. For many who's childhood revolved around a screen, many a fond memory was made playing classics such as Mike Tyson's Punch Out! or Super Mario Brothers. That generation has since grown up, but the interest for recapturing these memories has all but gone away. As explained in this article by NPR, the market for old, original video games has surged in recent years.

One of the things I noticed about the article was the emphasis on the "original games." After all, if the person was nostalgic about playing the game, then couldn't they play it on an emulator? Classic games on newer consoles is not a new idea. They have been available in multiple formats, from plug-and-play consoles to downloadable titles on both Xbox Arcade and the PSN store. Why then, do these older patrons insist on the original copies on the original consoles?

Games can range from a few dollars to a few hundred, depending on popularity and scarcity.

This quote implies that it's not the game that invokes the nostalgia, but the experience itself. Buyers are willing to spend hundreds to regain the experience. As shown here:

For people of a certain age, the sound of the video game character Mario growing after eating a mushroom brings back great memories.

This is a testament of the "sticky power" these companies have on to their customers since they are children. While there will always be the older products that will be sold in second hand shops, it is the new iterations of these series that the older players will introduce to a new generations. Appealing to the older fans might be the best solution for staying afloat in the long run. 

Bradford, B. (2015, February 4). Businesses Offer A Link To The Past For Lovers Of Old Video Games. Retrieved February 5, 2015.