UFO 50: A Nostalgic Gaming Experience
UFO 50 is a captivating collection that offers 50 unique gaming experiences, each packed with nostalgic elements that can evoke different memories for players. This compilation has prompted me to rethink how I manage my ever-expanding list of games to play. For those unfamiliar with UFO 50, it’s a set of games designed to resemble creations from a fictional 1980s game developer, allowing players to engage in various ways. You can choose to explore the games in chronological order, immersing yourself in the narrative arc that showcases the evolution of gaming technology during that era. Alternatively, you can approach it more casually, sampling the games at your leisure like a buffet of entertainment.
Personal Gaming Memories and Inspirations
The impact of UFO 50 will vary depending on when you began your gaming journey. For some, it will evoke memories of classic 8-bit consoles and arcade machines, where hidden treasures awaited discovery among a multitude of titles. Others may remember the experience of playing old bootleg cartridges, which often contained numerous games of questionable origin on a single, compact circuit board. For those who entered the gaming world more recently, UFO 50 may remind them of nostalgic flash games from sites like Newgrounds or the myriad of indie games available on contemporary digital platforms. Regardless of your background, the work of UFO Soft—created by the talented team at Mossmouth, including Spelunky creator Derek Yu—might inspire a fresh perspective on your existing game collection.
Reevaluating My Gaming Backlog
While I can’t claim to speak for everyone, my relationship with my backlog of unfinished and unplayed games has often been fraught with tension. As someone who is deeply passionate about gaming, the regular purchase of new titles comes naturally. However, I frequently feel guilty about neglecting the games I already own. For example, I find myself questioning whether I should be playing Sonic x Shadow Generations when I haven’t even completed a significant portion of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Why am I diving into UFO 50 when Silent Hill 2 remains unfinished?
Despite these internal conflicts, I found myself drawn to UFO 50, and I’m pleased that I made that choice. Navigating a collection of 50 games may seem daunting, but it mirrors the experience of scrolling through a large library of titles. Within the fictional history of UFO Soft, I didn’t experience the same hesitations. I never questioned whether I should move on to Bug Hunter without fully exploring Barbuta. The design of this collection promotes experimentation, encouraging players to sample different games based on their interests. Not every game will resonate with you, but that is part of the fun.
Discovering New Favorites Through a Structured Approach
As I explored the collection, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience. This enjoyment was amplified by listening to the Eggplant: The Secret Lives of Games podcast, which has been exploring UFO 50 in a book-club format, playing each game in a fictional chronological order as if they were released from the early to late ’80s. Each week, I engaged with a different game, starting with Barbuta and progressing through titles like Bug Hunter and Ninpek. This structured approach has led me to discover hidden gems that I might have overlooked otherwise, as focusing on one game at a time has allowed me to appreciate them on their own merits, even exploring genres I typically wouldn’t gravitate toward.
Finding Joy in Gaming and Backlog Management
This method has significantly changed my perspective on my gaming backlog. By committing to games that I would usually dismiss after a few minutes, I’ve learned that I don’t have to view gaming through the lens of completing a checklist. If a game feels more like a chore than enjoyment, it detracts from the fun of gaming, which should be an escape from everyday stress. So, do I need to finish my older titles before diving into new ones? Only if it brings me joy in the moment. I’ve realized that I shouldn’t feel compelled to grind through something just to check it off a list. There will always be time later for those games, and if not, I’ve at least prioritized having fun while I can.
