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To those here who don't understand it... Why do we seek out retro gaming machines? Fire up a Commodore 64? Dig the Z80 unit out of the closet? Have massive p

by 51Cards 11y ago

To those here who don't understand it... Why do we seek out retro gaming machines? Fire up a Commodore 64? Dig the Z80 unit out of the closet? Have massive projects attempting to bit emulate old TV gaming systems? Are these in some way better than our current hardware? Retro has its own appeal... for a game, a vintage automobile, a manual transmission, a paper photograph, 35mm film, a watch without a microprocessor, a softer audio sound, or the scrape of a needle over vinyl. Someone will love it on nostalgia alone even if the world has "moved on".

mrob 11y ago
Old games console + CRT TV is objectively better than almost everything modern by at least one measure: control latency. Punch-Out!! for NES is literally impossible to complete on a lot of modern hardware, because it doesn't take much additional latency to push the reaction time requirements beyond human ability. And even with less demanding games the feeling of responsiveness you get with original hardware is very noticeable.
Someone1234 11y ago
Little odd to read "a manual transmission" listed amongst other retro things. It is the most popular style of transmission in the world. Even in the US most vehicles larger than a minivan are manual transmission. Most people drive that way, it isn't odd, retro, or hipster. It is the norm, the US is the oddity. CVTs might change that a little as we go more hybrid/electric, but as of 2015, manual remains the norm.
- 51Cards 11y ago
  True on this one as I am a manual driver myself, though I've had this debate recently with several members of the generation after mine. :) Being from North America myself (Canada) the percentage of people who can use a manual transmission is plummeting. In general many couldn't understand why you would manage your own gears when you have traction control, highly efficient automatics, and tiptronic options in most cars now. Agreed, probably not a solid part of that list yet, but not far from it with electric vehicles on the rise as well.
- wil421 11y ago
  >Even in the US most vehicles larger than a minivan are manual transmission. I beg to differ, the best selling automobile is an F-150. Which hasn't offered a manual since ~2009 and only in a v6 (v8 trucks are more popular in this class anyway). The top 3 autos in the US are all trucks.[1] The next up is the Camry which doesn't offer a manual. Not to mention many car manufacturers are switching to CVT transmissions for their base models. Audi even uses them along with GM, Honda, Nissan etc. Its hard to even find new BMWs with manuals. Have a friend with a manual x3 and the dealer said its one of the only ones in the US. These Quora responses indicate it's more of a price issue in Europe than a preference. Most auto's are about $2000 more with a manual.[2] [1]http://autocontentexp.com/20-best-selling-vehicles-in-america-june-edition/ http://autocontentexp.com/20-best-selling-vehicles-in-americ... [2]http://www.quora.com/Why-do-the-majority-of-cars-in-Europe-have-manual-transmissions http://www.quora.com/Why-do-the-majority-of-cars-in-Europe-h...
  - bonzini 11y ago
    I am one of the "few" people in Europe with an automatic (Toyota/Lexus hybrids only come with automatic) and I actually dislike it. True, it's great in traffic and highway, but on mountain or even moderately hilly roads I drive much worse with it. The brake pedal is too sensitive, so I end up being always either too slow or too fast. I drive on these roads only a few times a year, but I wouldn't recommend it at all to someone who does not live in an absolutely flat area.
  - Someone1234 11y ago
    >> Even in the US most vehicles larger than a minivan are manual transmission. > I beg to differ, the best selling automobile is an F-150. That doesn't really differ from what I said. There are much bigger things on US roads than the F-150, and most of them are manual. I'm talking big rigs, delivery vans, buses/coaches, etc. The F-150 started out as a small commercial vehicle aimed at contractors, builders, and other similar jobs. It has since morphed into a consumer truck that starts at only $26K. As you say it is one of the best selling vehicles in the US, and it only reached that milestone by being a consumer vehicle. All reminding us that the F-150 is automatic and takes regular unleaded (as opposed to diesel like most commercial and or bigger vehicles) does is remind us of how consumer-focused it is, rather than disproving that most commercial vehicles are manual in the US. PS - Quora is a source now? And you're ignoring eight out of nine answers and citing the one answer that you like.
- at-fates-hands 11y ago
  I drove a manual through high school (1978 Chevy (327 engine), classic "3 on a tree" manual transmission) and my freshman year of college. Then I broke my ankle playing pick up soccer and had to drive myself to the hospital, with a broken left ankle no less. Since then, I swore to myself, never again would I own a manual transmission. Now that my playing days are over, I've been thinking of going back to a manual. You are correct though, the US is a total oddity. Most of the guys I play hockey with are Scandinavian or European and thought it was weird I drove an automatic. It as if I was the weird one.
mojuba 11y ago
I don't think it's just nostalgia. I think there is certain craving for touching physical things, moving them around, giving as gifts, and even breaking them. Digital takes over because it's more practical, but the physical stuff no matter how impractical even, is here to stay unless evolution takes our brains to the next levels and makes touching/sensing unnecessary.

by 51Cards 11y ago

mrob 11y ago

Old games console + CRT TV is objectively better than almost everything modern by at least one measure: control latency. Punch-Out!! for NES is literally impossible to complete on a lot of modern hardware, because it doesn't take much additional latency to push the reaction time requirements beyond human ability. And even with less demanding games the feeling of responsiveness you get with original hardware is very noticeable.

Someone1234 11y ago

Little odd to read "a manual transmission" listed amongst other retro things. It is the most popular style of transmission in the world. Even in the US most vehicles larger than a minivan are manual transmission. Most people drive that way, it isn't odd, retro, or hipster. It is the norm, the US is the oddity. CVTs might change that a little as we go more hybrid/electric, but as of 2015, manual remains the norm.

51Cards 11y ago
True on this one as I am a manual driver myself, though I've had this debate recently with several members of the generation after mine. :) Being from North America myself (Canada) the percentage of people who can use a manual transmission is plummeting. In general many couldn't understand why you would manage your own gears when you have traction control, highly efficient automatics, and tiptronic options in most cars now. Agreed, probably not a solid part of that list yet, but not far from it with electric vehicles on the rise as well.
wil421 11y ago
>Even in the US most vehicles larger than a minivan are manual transmission. I beg to differ, the best selling automobile is an F-150. Which hasn't offered a manual since ~2009 and only in a v6 (v8 trucks are more popular in this class anyway). The top 3 autos in the US are all trucks.[1] The next up is the Camry which doesn't offer a manual. Not to mention many car manufacturers are switching to CVT transmissions for their base models. Audi even uses them along with GM, Honda, Nissan etc. Its hard to even find new BMWs with manuals. Have a friend with a manual x3 and the dealer said its one of the only ones in the US. These Quora responses indicate it's more of a price issue in Europe than a preference. Most auto's are about $2000 more with a manual.[2] [1]http://autocontentexp.com/20-best-selling-vehicles-in-america-june-edition/ http://autocontentexp.com/20-best-selling-vehicles-in-americ... [2]http://www.quora.com/Why-do-the-majority-of-cars-in-Europe-have-manual-transmissions http://www.quora.com/Why-do-the-majority-of-cars-in-Europe-h...
- bonzini 11y ago
  I am one of the "few" people in Europe with an automatic (Toyota/Lexus hybrids only come with automatic) and I actually dislike it. True, it's great in traffic and highway, but on mountain or even moderately hilly roads I drive much worse with it. The brake pedal is too sensitive, so I end up being always either too slow or too fast. I drive on these roads only a few times a year, but I wouldn't recommend it at all to someone who does not live in an absolutely flat area.
- Someone1234 11y ago
  >> Even in the US most vehicles larger than a minivan are manual transmission. > I beg to differ, the best selling automobile is an F-150. That doesn't really differ from what I said. There are much bigger things on US roads than the F-150, and most of them are manual. I'm talking big rigs, delivery vans, buses/coaches, etc. The F-150 started out as a small commercial vehicle aimed at contractors, builders, and other similar jobs. It has since morphed into a consumer truck that starts at only $26K. As you say it is one of the best selling vehicles in the US, and it only reached that milestone by being a consumer vehicle. All reminding us that the F-150 is automatic and takes regular unleaded (as opposed to diesel like most commercial and or bigger vehicles) does is remind us of how consumer-focused it is, rather than disproving that most commercial vehicles are manual in the US. PS - Quora is a source now? And you're ignoring eight out of nine answers and citing the one answer that you like.
at-fates-hands 11y ago
I drove a manual through high school (1978 Chevy (327 engine), classic "3 on a tree" manual transmission) and my freshman year of college. Then I broke my ankle playing pick up soccer and had to drive myself to the hospital, with a broken left ankle no less. Since then, I swore to myself, never again would I own a manual transmission. Now that my playing days are over, I've been thinking of going back to a manual. You are correct though, the US is a total oddity. Most of the guys I play hockey with are Scandinavian or European and thought it was weird I drove an automatic. It as if I was the weird one.

mojuba 11y ago

I don't think it's just nostalgia. I think there is certain craving for touching physical things, moving them around, giving as gifts, and even breaking them. Digital takes over because it's more practical, but the physical stuff no matter how impractical even, is here to stay unless evolution takes our brains to the next levels and makes touching/sensing unnecessary.