Younger generations really have it bad with how the market treats them as customers. I highly doubt they experience same level of joy as previous generations using gameboys and similar devices did.
I honestly feel majority of the games at that time were made by people genuinely in love with games and stories, whereas now, it's mostly opportunistic cash grabbing incentive. Not saying nice and well done games don't exist, but it is hard for casual young player to come in touch with them
The rewards system for many games has been horribly screwed up. Constant small rewards are common on most mobile games, rather than the segmented rewards of old games where often the more effort was required the bigger the reward. The kids have little to no concept of payoff and expect a constant flow of action to reward. Suika Game, which was recently popular, is a prime example. Nearly every time you drop a fruit a reaction happens and you get a small reward. This also seems to be creating a general impatience I'm seeing in children where if there's downtime or slow segment they start looking for other forms of stimulation. It honestly makes me very worried because that behaviour might be extending to their everyday life rather than just with videogames.
I honestly feel majority of the games at that time were made by people genuinely in love with games and stories, whereas now, it's mostly opportunistic cash grabbing incentive. Not saying nice and well done games don't exist, but it is hard for casual young player to come in touch with them