Are there games that you tried but just couldn't get into because they feel outdated? Games that, in theory, you would enjoy, but don't because the controls, graphics, writing, or mechanics just don't feel good anymore. Games that, compared to today, just don't hold up to your standards.
I recently tried playing Heroes of Might and Magic III, and I realized that a lot of the invisible language used through game design from that era, I do not understand. There are many things that the game didn't explain, and I assume they were just understood by players. Not only that, but I imagine there was a lot of crossover between video games and board games back then, so maybe that language was used as well. I ended up downloading a manual and putting it on my second screen and I get it and played it, but it just wasn't for me.
I also dropped Mirror's Edge, but this time it was because of the graphics. It looks and feels great, but the graphics give me a headache. There is way too much bloom, and for some reason, there are some parts that look like the imaginary lens has been covered in Vaseline. This didn't bother me before, but my eyes are not used to it anymore.
There are also games like the first two Tony Hawk Pro Skater games that I can't fully get into because they're missing mechanics from the later games. The levels and controls feel great, but they don't feel complete without those mechanics. It keeps me from enjoying the games as much as the others.
Please share yours!
I'm generally with you, but I'd go back and play some of them (and have).
Technology didn't really permit for a lot of improvement on side-scrolling platform games after that era, and I don't feel like gameplay advanced a lot either; I think that the Super Mario Brothers series is still playable. I like Super Metroid, would still say that it competes with modern Metroidvanias (though the limited screen size is a bit painful).
There are certainly more-realistic racing games, but games like Outrun are IMHO still playable.
Tetris has advanced from a visual and audio standpoint, but the game hasn't really changed that much. I'd probably default to playing a modern variant, but the 1980s versions are fine, IMHO.
Pac-Man is still playable, IMHO. Not much that really superseded that.
Vertically-scrolling shmups like 1943 have seen more graphical glitz, but I don't feel like the genre has really deeply benefited much from technical improvements.