Even your most beloved hobby can get boring from time to time, and gaming is no exception. Whether it's because you're not interested in whatever new game is the trend or because you're bored with your favorite old hobby, gaming fatigue can happen. But just because you're not feeling it right now doesn't mean you'll never be interested again—these tips can help you reignite your passion or just make it through the sluggish time until you get excited about another new game.

Playing a Classic Can Be Like Visiting an Old Friend 

With how many new games are always coming out in both the AAA and indie game worlds, Rreplaying old games is often the last thing on peoples' to-do lists. But when you're running into gaming fatigue, it might just be the best thing to help you out of it. While there are lots of wonderful things about modern games, the high-res graphics, involved stories, and heavy time investments are a far cry from what made some of our favorite games so great.

If modern gaming tropes are the things leading you to be bored with gaming, try revisiting an old favorite. You might have played through Portal a dozen times already, but trying to beat your top speed run might just breathe new life into your gaming habit. Or go back even further and try a classic like Super Mario Bros. or the original Legend of Zelda. While they might not have the fancy graphics of a new game, they might just remind you of why you fell in love with games in the first place.

Revitalize Your Interest With a New Game Genre

While most gamers have more than one favorite genre, we also tend to shy away from new things. Why branch out if FPS is your chosen genre? But if your faves are starting to feel a little dull and repetitive, maybe it's time to try something totally new. Indie games are great for this, as they often throw many game conventions out the window, but branching out into other AAA genres is also a great way to fight off boredom.

If you're an RPG fan, why not try a story-driven shooter like BioShock: Infinite? If you're primarily a puzzle gamer, how about tackling a card game like Hearthstone? Or if you really want to branch out, try an experimental indie game like Plug & Play—you never know how you'll like it until you try.

Go Beyond the Video 

Video games are great—you wouldn't be reading this site if you didn't think so. But gaming isn't just about what you see on the screen. While board games might call to mind images of family squabbles over Monopoly or ruining your friendships with Risk, there's a lot more to analog gaming than that.

Having to get your friends together for game night can be a bit of a chore, but there's something to like in board games for video game fans as well. Like story-driven adventures with a twist of terror? How about Arkham Horror? If you're a fan of games like Civilization, why not check out Mare Nostrum? Being played out of video games doesn't mean you have to give up gaming entirely, and trying something new may be just what you need to get back in the habit. 

Bored of Playing? Try Making!

If your fatigue is coming from games not delivering what you want, making one might be your best bet. While it's no small undertaking to make your own game, there are plenty of resources out there to get you started. Tackling your own video game project might be just the thing you need to reawaken your interest in gaming, and even if you never finish your project you'll gain valuable skills and expertise. If all else fails, you'll understand exactly how much work goes into a game, deepening your appreciation for just how difficult it is to make a great game.

You Don’t Have to Break Up, Just Take a Break

Sometimes we just need a break from the things that we love. Even hobbies can get stale when you do them every day, and, as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. If games aren't fun for you anymore and none of your other options are working, don't be afraid to take a break. Games will always be around, and taking a step back will let you watch for the ones that really excite you rather than the ones that you think about picking up just because everyone else is.

We all need a break sometimes, and taking a breather from a medium that changes as quickly as video games isn't a bad idea. You never know when the passion will strike you again, and following a hobby comes in many forms. Take a break if you have to—games will always be here when you're ready.