From oversized T-shirts to vintage jewellery, the love for nostalgia is more alive than ever among Gen Z and millennials. But there’s one throwback trend making a particularly powerful comeback — retro video gaming. With iconic consoles and pixelated adventures taking center stage once again, the golden era of the 1990s is back, and it’s making waves in both pop culture and business.
The resurgence of classic consoles
For many young adults today, games like Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and Pac-Man were their first steps into the world of gaming.
Now, years later, these same titles are being rediscovered, not just as relics of childhood but as treasures of simplicity and design. As per AFP, companies like RetroSix, founded by passionate gamer and entrepreneur Luke Malpass, are at the heart of this revival. His UK-based workshop is filled with original Game Boys, Sega Mega Drives, and Nintendos, all sent in by global fans for repair and restoration.
Why retro still rules
What’s behind this throwback craze? According to Malpass, it’s not just nostalgia, it’s the tactile joy of holding a physical game cartridge and inserting it into a console. In a world dominated by cloud saves and downloadable content, retro consoles offer a hands-on experience that modern gaming simply can’t replicate. Many also appreciate the focused simplicity of older games. Unlike today’s complex, multiplayer, always-online titles, classic games offer quick, self-contained fun with a strong sense of accomplishment.
Gaming events and YouTube fuel the hype
The popularity of events like the London Gaming Market and the rise of YouTube channels devoted entirely to retro gameplay reflect the community’s growing strength. These platforms allow retro fans to buy, trade, and even relive old games through walkthroughs and commentary. Whether its Gen Z gamers discovering Duck Hunt for the first time or millennials reuniting with Wii Sports, these experiences are building a vibrant cross-generational community.
Retro meets modern media
The love for classic gaming isn’t just limited to consoles and cartridges — it’s also influencing mainstream media. With big-budget productions like Jason Momoa’s 'A Minecraft Movie’, the gaming industry is reimagining how these beloved stories can live on in new forms. It’s another sign that video game nostalgia has serious staying power.
A digital hug from the past
At its core, the retro gaming revival is about more than just entertainment, it’s a form of comfort. In uncertain times, revisiting the simple joys of our childhood games is like receiving a digital hug from the past. And with Gen Z and millennials leading the charge, it’s safe to say retro gaming is here to stay.
