In answer to your first question....yes, it does count as retro gaming.

As for Malak, I would look at it from his perspective. His former master, whom he thought was dead, has not only come back but is (1) the man Revan used to be or (2) more Revan than before and in both instances has become stronger than ever. Not only that but I imagine the Star Forge's supposed corruptive influence has probably weakened him somewhat.
There is also a underlying current in many of Bioware's game that while the protagonist is special, they could never make it as far as they have without their companions. But there is also the way that the main antagonist is often the reflection of the protagonist, if they took a darker path. Its been quite a while since I looked at KotOR, but I'm certain that Malak didn't have that support, or by the time you get to him, you've taken care of his allies.
His end reflects that he never quite matched up to Revan throughout his life, so that ultimately when it came down to him or Revan, Malak would lose out.