From manual save points to physical instruction booklets, gaming has evolved dramatically. What elements from gaming's past do you miss? Split-screen multiplayer? Cheat codes? Games that didn't require day-one patches? Let's discuss what made old-school gaming special.

Splitting screen and local multiplayer are what I miss. It is difficult to replace the same room experience of playing with friends online. Cheat codes were also cool as they brought discovery and experimentation to the game.

I miss split screen multiplayer the most! I also wish there were more turn based RPGs coming out, thankfully there's still some big ones that have come out this year like Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Also easter eggs are cool, I always loved when games had those hidden. Not sure if that really counts as a game mechanic though. Also to make things more challenging, save points in modern games could really up the challenge! I remember playing Tomb Raider on my PS1 and having to use save crystals. It made the game more immersive IMO, because then you'd start playing a bit more cautiously so you wouldn't have to do a bunch of stuff again if you died.

The save game mechanics are perfect example like you mentioned @Ravenfreak I still remember having to make sure I had enough typewriter ribbons during some Resident Evil play sessions.

Couch co-op type of gaming is somewhat still around for a few games but, the majority is modern gaming is centered around the multiplayer online experience. Maybe Nintendo is right with their Switch 2 console in focusing on the family and friends gaming experience of being together in the living room.