I rarely play computer games, but when I do, I like retro games the best. I find the steep learning curve of modern games to be discouraging. Retro games, on the other hand, remind me of ukuleles: They're very easy to start using and enjoying right off the bat, but remain interesting and enjoyable as you continue to use them.
O'Reilly's new book, Retro Gaming Hacks, looks like a real winner.
-Find Original, Classic Gaming Systems –Who can resist the allure of a
wood grain-paneled Atari 2600? The satisfying rubbery feel of the
joystick and candy-like single button? There are hacks on buying classic
systems, setting them up, fixing broken hardware, and even finding retro
games from Japan and tricking American consoles into playing them.-Adapt Today's Equipment to Run Retro Games –Many if not most retro
gaming hackers are getting their classic console fix through emulation
these days. Emulation techniques (MAME or Multiple Arcade Machine
Emulator) include hacking a classic joystick for use on new computers.-Revive old PCs–For many of us, our first retro game experience wasn't
in front of a console–it was hunched over the keyboard of a classic Apple
II or Atari 800XL. Clever hacks bring back classic computers and explain
how to set them up or emulate them so readers can, say, play a Commodore 64
just like they played it before–and then like they've never played
it before.-Design Custom Video Games–Innovative techniques and tools let gamers
craft retro-style entertainment with instant results.
