I feel like I'm losing interest in video games...

I don't know why, but over the past two years or so I've been on a gradual decline of playing video games at home by myself. Before then, I could play games like NiGHTS for hours and hours by myself and have a grand old time. Now I'm having a hard time just sitting down and trying to play anything for more than 10-15 minutes at a time before getting bored. I still LOVE playing video games like Smash Bros. or Mario Kart or whatever with friends, but I only get to do that once a month, if that.

One thing I have noticed is that I still LOVE arcade games. I can go into an arcade and play games like Tron, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Centipede, Berzerk, and pinball for hours on end. These simple, fun, neverending games just appeal to me for some reason. But I just can't seem to get around to sitting down and finishing some games I've really wanted to finish, like Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past, Zelda II, Castlevania, and Ninja Gaiden. The last game that really engrossed me into playing it was Panzer Dragoon Saga this summer, I really simply could not put that game down. I was also into Zelda II for a while in the summertime but when my save died twice around the same point (4th Palace, New continent) I almost totally lost interest in the game, and my new cart of the game has since been stuck on the 2nd palace. Since PDS I just haven't been able to find a game that really clicks with me that I can get in the right frame of mind to sit down and play it.

Does anyone else feel this way, or has ever felt this way and managed to get out of it? I still really enjoy playing video games with friends, playing arcade games, and talking about video games, but no matter what I do or what I buy recently I can't seem to get myself really into a video game when I'm playing by myself anymore. It's just not fun sitting there by myself. So I figured I'd ask the best video game forum on the web ;). Any tips gang?

I'm sorry to hear it poppa bear. My only advice is to take your games' difficulty down, I know I usually avoid playing when I just can't meet the challenge. RPGs are good for avoiding the physical/reflex side of it. The Fire Emblem games are said to have been the 'inspiration' for the Shining Force series, you might try one of them though I'v enot the foggiest how true its new editions are to the original (which I don't think exist in English--I don't think even the Super Famicom games came over, but I'm blurry at the moment). You might try Sakura Taisen 1 or 2 (Saturn or DC--the latter having 3 and 4 as well): Japanese isn't necessary if you just want to play the mild strategy sections, and even w/o knowing what's going on you might get a chuckle or two from the drawings. The extracombat parts aren't roleplaying, they're more like dating sim text adventure stuff so you can't get lost there.

Good luck.

I go in and out of periods where I just don't feel like playing games. I always get over it eventually. Sometimes I find that if I just "force" myself to sit down and play something, after a few minutes I do get into it.

Since you say you still love arcade games, maybe you need to focus on those types of games for a while. Dump the RPGs, adventure games, anything turn-based or focused on plot. Try a shooter or a pinball game, or break out Midway Arcade Treasures (or a similar compilation, but that's one of the best ever).

You probably are, it just kinda happens. Just play video games when the mood strikes, nothing wrong with that.

Also, a tip - make sure you finish a game if you start it. When I have a ton of games to choose from, I have a problem with failure to launch - I can't get far in a game without switching to another, and the beginning of games is usually the dullest, easiest part. Just choose a game and stick with it and see what happens.

Also, maybe try different genres that you typically don't like. Your tastes might have changed.

I usually run the gauntlet on Mega Man 1-6. Once the day comes when I don't get a thrill from doing that anymore, that's when I know it's time to hang it up.

Find your Mega Man, Baloo.

I can completely sympathize with this problem. I haven't actually bought a new game more than once per year the past couple of years in general, except for maybe smaller titles on Steam and what not.

The thing I did to sort of re-energize was to get away from video games and start playing tabletop games. Finding a different genre of games outside of your comfort zone can help sometimes as well. In general, I play a lot less games now, and most stick to older ones like yourself. But I try very DIFFERENT games than I was previously used to playing. I have found a lot of love for games like Dwarf Fortress lately for example.

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Originally Posted by Lastcallhall

I usually run the gauntlet on Mega Man 1-6. Once the day comes when I don't get a thrill from doing that anymore, that's when I know it's time to hang it up.

Find your Mega Man, Baloo.

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I agree here, the NES Mega Man games have the best replay value. A couple of years ago, I played and beat Mega Man 4, and the very next day, I popped it in and beat it again! The replay value is that good!:)

I am sort of in the same boat. I am getting over modding system's. I am currently doing up a SMS2 for a mate (power on led built into the power switch, 50/60Hz switch, language switch, pause on control pad-both ports and FM board), not really enjoying it. My head isn't in it and I am making simple mistakes. Perhaps it is because I am a dad now and I am pretty tired. Not sure.

Its pretty close to how I feel . I love Rpgs but don't have the time especially if I am having trouble getting into the story. What good is role playing if its boring? Its like getting into a good book. These I play lots of shooters and puzzle games when I can make the time. Game like Gun force II don't leave me time to be bored. Sometimes I play arcade arcade stuff on Mame but usually on my GBA before I go to bed. I don't feel so guilty about turning them off randomly. Though I do play the hell out of the Metal Slug Anthology from time to time.

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Originally Posted by omp

I am sort of in the same boat. I am getting over modding system's. I am currently doing up a SMS2 for a mate (power on led built into the power switch, 50/60Hz switch, language switch, pause on control pad-both ports and FM board), not really enjoying it. My head isn't in it and I am making simple mistakes. Perhaps it is because I am a dad now and I am pretty tired. Not sure.

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Usually what helps me if I get tired with modding is I just tackle one thing at a time. For instance, I'm working on a TurboDuo for someone who wanted a cap replacement and non-amped RGB mod. When I tried tackling both at once I wound up getting slightly frustrated, so I just decided to focus on the caps and worry about the RGB later. Having a video play in the background helps keep me relaxed too and gets me more focused on the job at hand; that way I'm far less prone to making mistakes.

We've all been there; doing too much of the same thing and it's obvious it'll get repetive and dull. Just give games a rest for a few days, watch some movies, go out with friends, etc. Sooner or later, you're get a strong need to play a certain game (this usualy happens for me with the Hitman games) and that'll start your love of gaming anew.

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Originally Posted by ApolloBoy

Usually what helps me if I get tired with modding is I just tackle one thing at a time. For instance, I'm working on a TurboDuo for someone who wanted a cap replacement and non-amped RGB mod. When I tried tackling both at once I wound up getting slightly frustrated, so I just decided to focus on the caps and worry about the RGB later. Having a video play in the background helps keep me relaxed too and gets me more focused on the job at hand; that way I'm far less prone to making mistakes.

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lol yea, I got a dvd player on my work table (watching Dad's Army atm). That is a problem I have so many projects on the go Nin-toaster, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, SNES's + more. I also want to do a Game Gear with TV out along with the NDSi backlight mod (which needs tweaking). I also have a butt load of work from Game Traders to do (4 fuckin DS lites to re-case= yuck).

for some reason lately i really just cant be arsed and would rather chill with a film on at the days end....

im losing my interest in video gaming altogether at the moment. which is very scary.

I think its because i am now at a point where i have an insane ( to laymen) amount of games for tons of insoles and i really don't have the time to learn a new game properly, master the controls etc as i work most days and have a young son . I tried getting into the first zelda on the N64 not long back but really just didn't see what was the point.

basically im starting to see that there is little to no point in playing video games.

I've had very much the same problem. Recently, most of my interest has been shoveled into Age of Empires II online matches and Civilization games. And even then, just... erf. No interest.

Yeah, gaming just doesn't do much for me either. I just don't feel like playing. I do get the urge to pick up a classic game for a 10-30 minute session from time to time though. I think that's why I like them so much, just pick up and play. Emulators also help with that since I can just save state and then come back to it later.