Finding Solace in Old Games: A Reflection on Gaming in 2026

I hadn’t realized I had stopped playing new releases until one day when my wife pointed it out. “You’ve been playing a lot of super old games lately,” she remarked. At first, I didn’t give it much thought. But her observation lingered, eventually prompting me to question why I’d been gravitating toward older games instead of exploring newer ones. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m using these games as a kind of security blanket.

The Weight of Modern Gaming News

Writing about video games professionally in 2026 means my mental space is often consumed by issues like generative AI and mass layoffs. Each workday, I log in expecting to confront disheartening news—whether it’s another major company like Xbox announcing hundreds of layoffs or executives promoting the supposed benefits of AI. My days frequently revolve around researching and reporting these grim realities to you, dear reader.

Admittedly, not every piece of news is bleak. For instance, the gravity of corporate restructuring stories is occasionally counterbalanced by exciting announcements, such as a Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and Balatro crossover. However, as negative stories increasingly dominate my workload, I’ve found myself retreating into the comforting nostalgia of older games to escape the harshness of the present gaming landscape.

When Nostalgia Becomes a Safe Haven

My recent dive into retro gaming happened organically. A back injury left me with a stark choice: either remain lying down or endure perpetual agony. In this situation, my activities were limited to watching TV and playing video games. Surprisingly, I instinctively turned to very old games—titles that launched at least 15 years ago. Under the mild sedation of over-the-counter painkillers, I gravitated toward familiar classics like Pokemon Leaf Green, Diablo 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

This phase feels distinct from my casual, occasional engagement with the best retro games in the past, which was more of a novelty-driven exploration through my Switch Online subscription. Now, my fixation is intentional, born from a deep-seated need to preserve my inner peace—a subconscious response to the overwhelming challenges of modern gaming news.

Escaping the Present Through the Past

I can’t be the only one whose sense of inner peace is frequently disrupted by today’s gaming headlines. While the industry has always had its ups and downs, 2026 feels uniquely challenging. From universally acclaimed releases like Crimson Desert being mired in controversy to Bungie’s new shooter Marathon being blamed for the decline of Destiny 2, the present feels increasingly fraught. Even fleeting moments of excitement are overshadowed by disappointment—like enjoying Highguard for its brief existence before it was permanently shut down, leaving its developers abruptly out of work. Similarly, my enthusiasm for Subnautica 2 has been diminished by covering the legal disputes between its original developers and publisher Krafton.

Old games offer a sanctuary from these frustrations. When I’m immersed in Dragon Quest 8, I don’t worry about whether its visuals were created using AI. Playing Halo 2 with friends doesn’t force me to think about the livelihoods of its developers. Saving the world as Tidus in Final Fantasy 10 lets me momentarily forget about terms like “shareholder value” or “operating margins.”

Rediscovering and Reassessing Retro Gems

One of the joys of this retro phase has been revisiting games I once overlooked or dismissed. For example, I regret my initial criticism of Skyward Sword, which I now see in a much more favorable light. Time has afforded me the perspective to appreciate its merits, and I suspect I’m not alone in finding renewed joy in such rediscoveries.

Hope for the Future Amidst the Struggles of the Present

Ironically, playing older games has reignited a sense of optimism for the future of gaming. While many of the industry’s current issues—like studio closures and corporate mismanagement—have existed for decades (after all, EA was shutting down beloved studios well before Microsoft), they feel especially acute today. This is partly because the gaming industry’s fundamental problems remain unaddressed. Developers face dwindling safe havens after layoffs, startup studios struggle to gain traction, and massive corporations continue to prioritize profits over sustainability.

Despite this, there’s no denying the progress we’ve made. Representation in games has improved, workplace toxicity is being challenged with high-profile exits and institutional reforms, and unionization efforts are gaining momentum. The spotlight on crunch culture has led to significant conversations about its impact. While there’s still a long way to go, I choose to believe that collective action can drive meaningful change in the areas causing distress today.

Finding Comfort in Simpler Times

For now, I’ll continue reporting on the industry’s challenges, hoping for a future where I can write more about indie RPGs and less about job losses. But in my downtime, you’ll find me enveloped in a warm mountain of retro games, escaping to a simpler time.

If you’re also seeking solace in gaming’s past, check out some of the best N64 games to rediscover the joy of the good old days.