Video game nostalgia is powerful – but it only works if developers understand the psychology behind it

Alan Stewart; Peter Howell

doi:10.64628/AB.e6euqnrms

Video game nostalgia is powerful – but it only works if developers understand the psychology behind it

School of Film, Media and Creative Technologies

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

Abstract

When thinking back to the gaming experiences of your youth, it’s easy to get misty-eyed. Depending on your generation, you might yearn for Dizzy on the Commodore 64, marathon GoldenEye sessions with friends or your first Minecraft world.

And games publishers know this. Recognising the nostalgic appeal of games, there has been a recent slew of re-releases of beloved classics. Tomb Raider Remastered (2024), Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (2025) and System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (2025) all show publishers know how to capitalise on nostalgia.

Our research into player engagement frequently encounters nostalgia as a key driver of player satisfaction. Nostalgia is both potent and delicate: powerful when done right, disappointing when not. So, why do some games nail nostalgia while others fail?

Original language	English
Specialist publication	The Conversation
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.64628/AB.e6euqnrms
Publication status	Published - 13 Apr 2026

Keywords

the conversation
nostalgia
psychology
video games
games
remasters
remakes

Access to Document

10.64628/AB.e6euqnrms

Radio Interview on The Last Show with David Cooper: Video game nostalgia is powerful – but it only works if developers understand the psychology behind it
Stewart, A. & Howell, P.
24/04/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment
Conversation article republished in the Portsmouth News
Stewart, A. & Howell, P.
15/04/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research cited

Cite this

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Video game nostalgia is powerful – but it only works if developers understand the psychology behind it

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Keywords

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Press/Media

Radio Interview on The Last Show with David Cooper: Video game nostalgia is powerful – but it only works if developers understand the psychology behind it

Conversation article republished in the Portsmouth News

Cite this