I'm not sure if that was the best one year bump ever, or the worst.

Pretty much.

Wow, some of these are very true(as well as humorous), and I can apply most to myself:

Getting a new game
I relish the days when I would pick up anything without being such a shallow, arrogant critic of detail in games(I try to be open minded, but the cookie-cutter poop-chute of today's industry tells me otherwise). And even if I come across gems now, they more often adorn my shelves as collection rather than my priority in entertainment. Things are complicated now, prior experience puts doubt in our minds, and we don't quite have the time that we used to. :)

Struggling through tasks/puzzles
This hasn't changed much for me, and older Biohazard/Silent Hill fans may agree as well for themselves. I never really cared to use strategy guides either, unless I wanted to complete 100% of the game with side-quests and collection tasks. But there's not much of the same challenge as there used to be. Of course, when you are playing through a game like Demons/Dark Souls, you're allowed to use internets...

Saving Passwords
I believe I only used that grid-like system of saving for certain NES games(kept a few notes). As for other games, I tend to go as long as I can without saving, unless I'm highly aware that an important event is coming up. Playing RE taught us that saving minimally was a good thing(because you were actually rewarded for it).

Different emotional response to games
I can't remember if I've ever gotten emotionally involved in an older game I was playing(if I did, it was a Japanese/Korean game), but definitely engrossed. Engrossed to the point of sleep deprivation. I don't have much to say about finding meme-like material in open-world games(or games of now); the level of interaction with the environment makes it easy for more occurrences of hilarious things happening; such as in the Elder Scrolls or Saints Row games. Also character development seems to be lacking these days for me to really care about anyone to the extent of feeling emotion.(but this image is comparing a JRPG to a sandbox rpg; character depth has different priorities in the East and West) :P

Graphics
This was extremely true for me. Back then, people took artistic freedoms when it came to game design because it wasn't going to be such a gamble. It wasn't how good the graphics were that impressed me, it was more the style in which they were presented. Now, of course, it seems more profitable to present everything in realism(or semi-realism, using a hybrid of cel-art and 3D), in which many developers will use the same, most feasible engine for physics and graphics(kudos if they develop their own, especially for use in their next big title). So everything starts looking the same after a while, as I notice with western games.

Multiplayer
I never cared much for multiplayer, unless it was local, and it gave me an excuse to invite folks over for a good round and a laugh. The only reason I would play through a server, would be to interact with friends or family that were out-of-state or country. Sure, it allows for so many people to cooperate at once now, and it is quite fun. But it takes out the joy of cherishing and struggling through a game physically there with your mates. To have a drink together and see their faces, you know? The social aspect of games today has become so important, that it sometimes drowns the other crucial parts that comprise a title. As for local co-op? I seem to have little variety set before me that I can enjoy with my fiancé in my own home, without needing two systems.

Controllers
Ha ha ha, wired vs. wireless...even with new generation console controllers, I still have the same problems and yet I don't. It's either very neatly placed, or tangled in a mass of electronic spaghetti.

Thanks for sharing the images, it was hilarious and brought back memories.

Sure. Perhaps I'll most more in the future.

and here's one I had a good chuckle over:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8-IK25F-r8[/youtube]

^ Was that a Capcom PR outtake?

I couldn't stop laughing at this video. Some truly awesome mods to be had on the ricer market...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK0J5Ssu258[/youtube]