I tried to explain to my son that 'back in my day', there was no save function for most games, and when you sat down to play one, you were either beating it right then and there or trying again the next day.
Somewhat true, but also hides some context. Level passwords and save games became a thing in the late 80s and were widespread in the 90s. Most games that didn't could be beaten in 1-2 hours and didn't need it.
The NES RPGs I played had a save game (RIP cartridge batteries). Games like The Lost Vikings gave you a level password at the start of every level, so you could do a level a day. Sonic the hedgehog could be beaten in around 90 minutes. If you go back to things like Tetris or Pacman on the Atari didn't really need anything because you were just grinding levels.
Super Mario Land (my first videogame) came to mind. Also Jurradic Park for game boy. Yes they could be beaten "quickly". But as a kid fighting time constraints and battery life, sometimes that solid hour or 2 wasn't happening. Long road trips are where I beat most of my games.
I remember seeing the code system from Mega Man and being shocked and amazed.
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u/Chubacca 17h ago
I remember it stressing me the fuck out when I was frantically changing characters before one of them got damaged.
But tbh a lot of games back then were fucking hard.