I know exactly what you mean. When I was younger, all I thought about during school was coming home and playing my Nintendo and later Genesis and Super Nintendo. Now, I mostly buy games, play them for a day or two and never go back. I think it's like anything, whatever you where playing game wise or listening to music wise as a teen sets that taste for what you will like later in life. For me, the only things that I can stand anymore are sports games and alternative/indie music.

I also think that the strategy guide also help ruine the gaming experience. No you don't even have to think if you don't want to and can easily walk through anything.