Gen Z are going retro. People in their teens and early 20s are increasingly turning to old school tech in a bid to unplug from the online world.
amazon UK told BBC Scotland News that retro-themed products surged in popularity over the Christmas period, with sales up 70% compared to the previous year.
Items like the Game Boy, Tamagotchi and even the Discman are proving popular with a generation who weren’t even born when they were first released.
“It’s a bit of a reaction to how connected we are all the time,” says Kyle, 21, from Glasgow. “Everything is on your phone, and it can be exhausting. With a PSP [PlayStation Portable] or a Game boy, you just switch it on and play. There’s something really comforting about that.”
He recently bought a PSP to relive his childhood. “I used to love playing it when I was younger, and it’s just a nice way to switch off and not worry about social media or anything else.”
For others, it’s about the nostalgia factor.”My older brother had a game Boy when I was little, and I always wanted one,” says Isla, 19, from Edinburgh.”I finally got one for my birthday, and it’s been amazing.It’s a really cool piece of history.”
Experts say the trend is part of a wider cultural shift. “Gen Z are very aware of the past,” says Dr Laura McLaws Robertson, a lecturer in digital media at the University of Edinburgh. “They’re interested in vintage fashion, music and now technology.It’s a way of expressing their individuality and rejecting the hyper-consumerism of modern society.”
the appeal of retro tech isn’t just about nostalgia, though. Some argue that these devices offer a simpler, more focused experience than modern smartphones.
“There are no notifications, no endless scrolling, no distractions,” says Kyle. “It’s just you and the game.”
And with the cost of living rising, some are finding that retro tech is a more affordable option than the latest gadgets. A used Game Boy can be found for as little as £30, while a classic Discman can be picked up for around £20.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that gen Z’s love affair with retro tech is here to stay.
Why are young people collecting DVDs and vinyl?
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Image caption, Vinyl records are making a comeback with younger generations.
While streaming dominates how many people consume music and movies, a growing number of young people are turning to older formats like DVDs and vinyl. But why?
For 23-year-old Declan, from Cardiff, it started with DVDs. He grew up surrounded by his gran’s collection and later bought his own after visiting a shop with a friend.
“The main selling point for me is the cases,” he says.
“There’s something about really clean cases that I love.”
Streaming services like netflix and disney+ dominate the market but Declan says he values ownership.
“It’s nice to have something you own instead of paying for subscriptions all the time,” he says.
“If I lost access to streaming tomorrow, I’d still have my favorite movies ready to watch.”
He admits DVDs are a “dying way of watching movies” but that makes them cheaper.
“I think they’re just cool, there’s something authentic about having DVDs,” he says.
“These things are generations old,it’s nice to have them available.”
‘The grooves on the record make it feel real’
Vinyl records are also experiencing a resurgence in popularity with younger audiences. Many appreciate the tangible experience and sound quality.
“There’s something about the ritual of putting a record on,” says 24-year-old Sam, from London, who started collecting vinyl during the pandemic.
“Taking it out of the sleeve, placing it on the turntable… it makes listening to music feel more intentional.”
He adds that he enjoys the artwork and liner notes that come with vinyl records.
“You get a whole package, not just the music. It feels more like an event.”
for others, the appeal is about the sound.
“Streaming is convenient, but it’s compressed,” says 21-year-old Emily, from Manchester. “With vinyl, you hear the music as it was intended to be heard. The grooves on the record make it feel real.”
Both Declan and Sam say their collections are a talking point with friends and a way to express their personality.
“It’s a hobby,a passion,” says Declan. “And it’s nice to own something physical in a digital world.”
Why Gen Z is falling in love with film cameras
While most people instinctively reach for their phones to take photos, 21-year-old Aoibheann prefers the purposeful artistry of traditional cameras.
“there’s something about the quality of them and the style of photo you get,it’s unmatched compared to your phone,” she says.
“There’s more pressure with film because you’re not going to see the photo straight away, you have to wait. But that’s the novelty of it,” she explains.
“I’ll take my camera to birthdays, holidays, even walks,” she says.
Aoibheann believes the appeal of traditional cameras runs deeper than aesthetics.
It is rooted in nostalgia,she says.
“Many people are curious about the experience of using physical cameras as they grew up seeing their parents use them,” she says.
“Gen Z enjoys the novelty of something we don’t usually have. It’s a break from phones and instant gratification.
“Physical cameras are timeless. They’ll never go out of fashion as past generations relied on them.”
‘It’s more addictive than any game I’ve got on my PS5.’
Nostalgia Drives Resurgence of Sony’s PlayStation Portable
A wave of nostalgia is fueling a surprising comeback for Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP),the handheld gaming console that captivated gamers in the mid-2000s. Despite being discontinued in 2014, the PSP is experiencing renewed interest, especially among younger generations seeking a simpler gaming experience.
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/48fe/live/eb8fbfe0-d12f-11f0-a0cc-673bf7abfc30.jpg.webp
Kyle, 21, holds a white PlayStation Portable (PSP) console.
Kyle, a 21-year-old enthusiast, recently purchased a PSP to recapture his childhood and enjoy the uncomplicated nature of gaming, free from the constant demands of updates and downloads. “It was the first game console that I grew up with, it’s a weird feeling, it’s like a home comfort, you know? It feels retro,” he says.
The PSP launched in the UK in September 2005 and quickly became a phenomenon, selling 185,000 units in its first four days on the market [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2005/sep/01/gaming.reviews]. Sony discontinued the console in 2014 as mobile gaming and more powerful consoles gained prominence. [https://www.eurogamer.net/sony-officially-discontinues-psp]
Despite its age, the PSP offers a unique appeal. “Obviously the screen isn’t as good, the buttons aren’t as good, it’s a lot more unreliable, but that’s not the point,” Kyle explains. “when you play a modern PlayStation or Xbox, you can’t just play, you need to download updates. With a PSP, you put a game in and play.” He adds that he’s been playing Need for Speed on his PSP more addictively than games on his PlayStation 5.
The PSP’s resurgence can be seen as a reaction to the complexities of modern gaming. Some view it as a fashion statement, while others genuinely appreciate its simplicity. Kyle acknowledges a “performative aspect” to the trend, suggesting it’s “almost like an accessory for some people.” However, for him, it’s more than a fad. “For the majority, it’s just a trend. But for people like me, I’ll be playing this until it breaks.”
Worth a look