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Issue 409

Letting go of the past

In response to Steven Munnoch’s letter in E409, I’m afraid I couldn’t disagree more. I’m fortunate to own a home cinema setup. As such, I collect physical film media to experience 3D, 4K and rarities, safe in the knowledge that I’m not reliant on streaming services offering lower-quality content or losing the rights to show certain films. Films are easy to digest on multiple occasions with their relatively short durations and ability to elicit new context and emotions.

In the same space I have a Mega Drive, an N64, a PS3, a Switch and until recently a PS4 (which has just been replaced by a digital-only PS5 Pro). All work, but other than very rare GoldenEye or Rock Band sessions, old games are never played. If we want to kart, we use the Switch’s digital copy of MK. Everything else comes from the PS5 Pro’s hard drive.

“I’ve hit the point where I’ve made my peace with not interacting with every major new release”

I’ve no time for the nostalgia for old games that don’t change, look increasingly tired and don’t elicit new emotions for me (all whilst requiring the same level of effort and duration to experience in full – time I no longer have.)

In comparing the 4K release of Lawrence Of Arabia, which is stunning, to my copy of Sonic or Super Mario 64, I will argue vehemently about the need to preserve physical films in their latest formats (over their original release) before physical games. However, preserving the memory of old games through digital updates is by far the most appropriate approach.