Back to Video Gaming

Disclaimer- this is a ULTRA NERD post! I've developed a nostalgia for video games again. I've been an avid gamer since I was 5 when my parents bought an Commodore system. My first game was called Zork, which was basically a text-based games with no videos or images where you are trying to solve this abstract puzzle in this fantasy, Dungeons & Dragons type world.  

This game caught my attention as I later got my hands on to more game friendly devices like the Atari 2600 game system.

Like every young male boy living in the 80's, it was all over as soon as I first got my Nintendo Entertainment System or NES (though technically I actually got the Japanese version of the NES called the Famicom system). 

Call me a video game purist and snob, but to me, video games are fundamentally based on having certain core characteristics. Unless it's the recent Nintendo Switch and its release of Mario games on various consoles, these newer PS5 and Xbox games personally do not fit the category of gaming with its emphasis on first person shooting and real life simulation. When I think of video games I think it should tap into that childhood imagination filled with wonders of getting level ups, progressing through more challenging levels, with the ultimate goal of defeating the main antagonist. Simple and fun, unlike newer games that are supposed to be so realistic and comprehensive that it seems like the goal is to make the gaming experience so all encompassing to the point that you are being monetized by the company by forcing you to buy and shop for all their upgrades.  

My gaming machine of choice that led me back is the RG-350. Portable gaming is definitely on the rise as the Switch can be played on the road and now Valve just released its new handheld, Switch-like gaming console for portable PC gaming called the Steam Deck. But back to the RG-350, this portable gaming device is less than $70 that you can buy on Amazon.  The system that's basically a glorified mini-Linux computer that was developed by a Chinese company and released early last year. For the low price that you're paying, the things that you can do with it beyond paying games is simply amazing and there's a massive online community that has built cool DIYs and hacking features (many resources out there, but Retro Corps has the best one out there)

Though the system itself is legit, the application is mostly used for illegal purposes since most people use it to play emulation games or ROMS. ROMs are simply pirated games converted into digital files from the original software that people can download freely without providing financial support to the original company. Beyond the RG-350, you can purchase newer models that are much more powerful and can run more demanding games, especially those that came out on newer hardware like the 32- and 128-bit generation. This is my stopping point as I'm just an old school gamer and prefer just to stick to the 8- and 16- bit generation gaming. But having the RG-350 is so convenient that I can my gaming on the road, at home, just about anywhere. 

Genesis/Mega Drive/ Game Gear

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis, 1992): Completed                          

Difficulty Level: ***  Definitely the most console's most signature platformer. It's innovative in how the game is a bit more open world than other games in its genre. The concept of trying to hold onto at least 1 ring, regardless if you're running around with 187 rings in your pocket, is still pretty neat!

                                                                                                               

Ghostbusters (Genesis, 1990): Completed

Difficulty Level: ** I don't think that I've ever beaten the game from start to finish. There's quite a bit of Megaman elements in the sense that it's all about the bosses and finding that sweet spot of using the right weapon. This the quintessential Ghostbusters video game and all other versions could never catch the spirit of the franchise. Game was fun though I didn't realize that it does get overly repetitive. When you get to the last levels of the game and just encounter a bunch of bosses, you'll have to get used to going back to the shops to get more food and weapon upgrades.

Quackshot (Genesis, 1991): In Progress Level xx /.                                            

Difficulty Level: *** Disney games, despite the appearance of being kid-friendly are always one of the hardest games out there. This game has some focus on enemy killing (or stunning) and adept jumping/dodging, but it's innovative in focus on a bit of puzzle solving. The maneuvering can be a bit annoying with DD being chunky and sometimes too slow to avoid enemies. 

TMNT: Hyperstone Heist (Genesis, 1992): Completed                                          

Difficulty Level: * Game joins a long list of other arcade 4 player beat' em ups carried across arcades and consoles. Skill level is low as you can button mash your way to the finish. While there are four distinct ninja turtle, there's no reason why you would ever pick anybody outside of Donatello who seems to have the ultimate attack effectiveness and range. It's still not as good as TMNT: Arcade Game and the SNES rival "Turtles in Time" but just a classic game that I remember. 

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (Genesis, 1990): Completed                                      

Difficulty Level: *** As I alluded before with Quackshot, early 90's Disney games on the console were tough as nails. Precise timing, little attack range and weapons combined with few lives and continues given. Compared to most games, this game is pretty short and can be beat in 34 min. The game design is top notch with very colorful graphics and pretty much an easy pick up and play premise, though the game gets dramatically hard as you progress. I'm going to eventually jump to its sequel or prequel- World of Illusion

NES / SNES / Game Boy

Super Mario Bros (NES, 1983): Completed.                                       

Difficulty Level: *** 1/2  I remember being personally embarrassed as a child when I told other kids that I never beat this game. And though it was traumatic for me, I'm convinced that people who say that this game is supposed to be easy are lying. I dare people to try to finish this game from start to finish. Nonetheless, I'm finally relieved that I actually sat down and beat this game. It's still hilarious/weird that this game has the lamest level closing and endings ("the princess is in the other castle"), but I was so nostalgically pleased with the soundtrack even though it's a rotation of the same 5 songs. 

Mega Man 2 (NES, 1988): Completed.                                               

Difficulty Level: ***   Like GB, this is the quintessential Megaman game. As a kid I could not get through the first one, it was too annoyingly hard and I still don't know how people could complete that game. The 2nd one was definitely ahead of its time with innovative level design and a good risk-reward system that tests patience. Music is still super catchy. When I think about the 8-bit era, MM 2 ranks in my shortlist of the top 5. 

Mega Man 3 (NES, 1990): Completed 8/7                                          

Difficulty Level: ***   I remember this game being a lot easier than MM 2 and as a child didn't go through too much frustration trying to beat it. Music is still super memorable. If I had to compare this with the second one, the second one still has a place in my heart though this one is very close. I think one problem is that there's just a bit too many extra bosses and challenges that prevent this game from being a tighter designed game. But otherwise its in the top 5 of best MM games. 

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Game Boy, 1992): Completed. 

Difficulty Level: **  For some reason I was really into this game as a kid and would not mind playing it over and over again. I think it's truly one of the most underrated games and just has this sweet combination of good platforming action, memorable music and long term playability. The game itself is easy but that's probably what contributed to the high playability. Compared to the first one on GB, the graphics are much improved as you can actually see Mario's face more visibly. 

Super Castlevania IV (SNES, 1991): Completed 

Difficulty Level: ***  I've always had a hard time playing any of the Castlevania games, and this one is the only one that I've been able to beat. But I'm working on beating at least one other one - it's sequel on the SNES though I already know that it's much more difficult. The Genesis one seems like a promising one. This is a beautifully designed game and I remember that it was one of the early SNES release games. Graphics utilize some of the newer technologies (fade, transparents), but music is definitely the most memorable.