Are classic video games becoming more favored by gamers?

Are you open to going back in time? The Tuesday letters page seems to believe that retro gaming is gaining popularity, as one reader is curious about Capcom's plans for 2027. Our Games Inbox is filled with our readers' thoughts, opinions, and comments.

If you want to join in on the discussions, just shoot us an email at email. I was thrilled to hear that the rumors about CeX opening a retro-specific shop were true. And to top it off, it's in Birmingham, which is not too far from me.

I have a feeling I might end up disappointed once I visit, but I truly hope not. I still have fond memories of my visit to a CeX in London, about 25 years ago. It was a treasure trove of games and gadgets that I had only read about in magazines.

I remember being amazed by the variety, from obscure SNES games to the real Virtual Boy. Granted, it was a while back when these things were not even a decade old, but I'm hoping this new shop will come close to replicating that experience. I've noticed that retro gaming has been gaining more and more popularity lately, not just in terms of playing ports but actually owning the original hardware.

For me, playing a retro game is not just about experiencing the gameplay, but also the feeling of playing it on its original platform. Of course, as time goes by, it becomes more expensive to maintain this hobby, but I have a feeling I'm not the only one who feels this way. With the rise of digital media and the decline of physical copies, Sony is not exactly encouraging me to go fully digital.

In fact, it's making me want to focus more on retro gaming. Speaking of games, I have to give props to the GameCentral team for their excellent review of Onimusha: Way Of The Sword. I had high hopes for it after playing the demo and considering Capcom's recent success.

I wasn't a huge fan of the original games, but now I'm definitely planning on picking this one up. I was surprised to learn that it was releasing this week, as I remembered hearing that Capcom had pushed its release date to avoid competition. This actually makes me even more excited to get my hands on it, as it increases my chances of finishing it before the highly anticipated game that shall not be named.

This also got me thinking about what Capcom has in store for us next year. I know it's impossible to keep up the release schedule they had in 2026, which was probably just a coincidence. Aside from Resident Evil Veronica, the only other games I know of are the Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance expansion and Mega Man: Dual Override.

Oh, and let's not forget about the highly anticipated Ōkami 2, but there's no indication of when that will be released. Moving on to other games, I have to say that after watching the 26-minute gameplay reveal of the upcoming GTA 6, I am 100% sold. I'm already planning on getting it on day one.

In fact, I even managed to snag a £70 PSN voucher for a discounted price of £57.80 on ShopTo. The graphics alone blew me away, from the intricate details and the immersive world to the impressive facial animations and lighting. It's definitely set a new bar for console graphics.

As for the gameplay, it looks like more of the same, with shooting, driving, mini-games, and some light RPG elements. However, I was hoping to see something new and innovative. But what really caught my attention were the new wanted and relationship systems.

I'm curious to see how creative players will have to be to escape the cops and how their actions will affect the bond between the two main characters, Lucia and Jason. One of the highlights for me was the base jumping scene, which was a glimpse of the game's exploration aspect. I can't wait to explore every inch of the world displayed in the reveal.

I'm trying to avoid any further spoilers and will wait for your review and a few others before making my purchase. Have the review embargo dates been announced yet? I have a feeling it's still too far out.

Switching gears, I have a question for you all: when did Sonic The Hedgehog games become good again? I know they've received a lot of criticism over the years, but personally, I enjoyed Sonic Frontiers, Sonic X Shadow Generations, and even the werewolf game (although I know it's not everyone's cup of tea). I used to love the original Sonic games on the Mega Drive and even enjoyed Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast.

I've been reading up on the timelines and top 10 lists, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on it as well. Are there any Sonic fans out there? I remember the backlash over the proposed movie look, so I know there's still a huge fan base out there.

On a different note, I find it surprising how big Sega is when you really look into it. It's a shame their parent company won't be entering the console market again, especially when they have such a strong collection of games. Moving on to gaming news, I have to say I'm a bit confused by Sony's decision to have two State of Plays on the same day, with the second one focusing on Asian-made games.

The only confirmed game for the Western State of Play is also made in Asia, which seems odd to me. But then again, Sony has always been known for their unique decisions. I'm not expecting much from either State of Play, but I'm hoping we'll get a proper look at Stellar Blade: Blood Rain.

I have a feeling there might also be some surprise reveals, but with the Final Fantasy 7 Revelation as their mic drop, I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I'm excited for the new GTA game and have even pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition for a whopping £89.99. Definitely my most expensive game purchase to date, but I have a feeling it'll be worth it.

I know there's been a lot of controversy surrounding the game, with some saying it's too much for children, but I think it's time we let go of that argument. Controversy has always been present in the series, and I'm personally looking forward to this installment's features, such as the nudist town and the realistic police system. The relationship dynamics between Jason and Lucia also seem intriguing, and it's clear that a lot of thought has been put into it.

I'm definitely choosing this game over any other release this year or next. How far back in time are you willing to go? The Tuesday letters page has been buzzing with discussions about the rising popularity of retro gaming.

One reader even wrote in, curious about Capcom's plans for the year 2027. The Games Inbox section is always filled with interesting perspectives from our readers. It's a space for sharing opinions, comments, and letters.

If you want to join in on the discussions, just shoot us an email at the address provided. Speaking of retro gaming, I was ecstatic to hear that the rumor about CeX opening a dedicated retro shop was true. And even better, it's located in Birmingham, which happens to be close to where I live.

I can't wait to check it out and see what they have in store. I have fond memories of visiting a CeX in London many years ago, and I hope this new shop can live up to that same level of excitement. I've noticed that retro gaming has become increasingly popular, not just in terms of playing older games, but also in owning the original hardware.

There's something special about experiencing a game as it was intended, not just a replica. Of course, this can be quite expensive as time goes on, but it has become a growing hobby for me and many others. With the decline of physical media and the rise of digital-only consoles, it's only pushing us further towards retro gaming.

Moving on to some game reviews, I have to say, the review for Onimusha: Way of the Sword was spot on. After playing the demo and seeing how Capcom has been on a roll lately, I had high expectations for the game. I wasn't the biggest fan of the original games, but after reading the review, I'm definitely interested in giving it a try.

I also didn't realize it was already out this week, but I'm glad Capcom decided to release it earlier than originally planned. It gives me a better chance of finishing it before the highly anticipated game that shall not be named is released. Speaking of which, I can't help but wonder what else Capcom has in store for us next year.

They've had a pretty impressive release schedule in 2026, but I know it's not easy to keep up that kind of momentum. So far, all we know about is the Resident Evil Veronica remake, the Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance expansion, and the Mega Man: Dual Override. And let's not forget Ōkami 2, but we still have no idea when that will be released.

Now, let's move on to a topic that has been on my mind. When did Sonic the Hedgehog games "git gud" again? I know they've received a lot of criticism over the years here at GameCentral, but I've actually enjoyed some of the more recent titles.

Sonic X Shadow Generations, Sonic Unleashed, and even Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast were all pretty solid games, in my opinion. Of course, opinions may vary, and I'd love to hear from other Sonic fans as well. It's also surprising to see how big Sega is when you really look into it.

With such a strong fan base, I can't understand why they haven't ventured back into the console market. Moving on to the upcoming State of Plays, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that the second one is focused on Asian-made games. Don't get me wrong, I love those games too, but it seems odd to have two events on the same day with little overlap in content.

I'm hoping for some surprise reveals, but I'm not getting my hopes up after the underwhelming mic drop of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation. Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Grand Theft Auto 6.

It's a highly anticipated game for some, while others are more skeptical. And of course, the debate about whether or not children should be exposed to such a game has resurfaced. But why do we keep beating this dead horse?

Controversy has always surrounded this franchise, and I don't expect anything different with this installment. Personally, I'm excited for it and have even pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition from the PlayStation Store. It's the most I've ever spent on a game, but I believe it will be worth it.

The features look promising, from the detailed world and realistic police system to the complex relationship between Jason and Lucia. And let's not forget about the nudist town and the gym simulation. Who else is offering that kind of gameplay?

I'm sure the controversy will continue, but I'm ready to dive into the chaos and explore every inch of this highly anticipated game.