For nearly two generations, the console world has been dominated by the big three - Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. All have produced fine systems in their own right, introducing new technology and innovations to our gaming universe. That being said, the availability of viable alternatives has been virtually nonexistent for the past decade. Outside of a few niche systems (XaviXPORT, et. al.), the Big Three have reaped the benefits of conducting business within a pseudo monopolistic environment. If history truly repeats itself, this technological bottleneck may be nearing the end of its cycle.
Throughout the video gaming era, console wars tend to erupt when a significant breakthrough occurs in a complimentary industry. Whether it is the development of a new microprocessor or the introduction of an enhanced media format, competition increases as manufacturers look to capitalize on emerging technologies. Many of these ventures have been less than successful, but every now and again a new face can rise to prominence. Microsoft and Sony are prime examples of this. Current advancements in autostereoscopy (3D display without use of peripherals) and motion/voice controlled interaction may provide the requisite window of opportunity for the next video gaming juggernaut.
For any company to take advantage of this potential opening, a perfect storm must occur with the convergence of the following attributes: Financial Wherewithal, Technological Expertise, Brand Recognition and Visionary Leadership.
Financial Wherewithal
Needless to say, entry into the video game hardware market is an extremely expensive endeavor. In addition to the assumed R&D, marketing, manufacturing, and associated overhead expense of producing a new system (which in and of itself is staggering), any prospective company must be able to withstand significant losses during the initial product launch and those incurred throughout its developmental phase. Such investment necessitates a long term fiscal commitment, coupled with the experience to successfully develop/execute the base economic model.
Technological Expertise
The ability to take advantage of existing in-house resources is almost a necessity. Companies able to redeploy andor repurpose established assets gain significant financial flexibility due to lowered expenses in those synergistic areas. The core competencies of an organization must not only be complimentary in nature, but be realized directly within the hardware of any prospective new system.
Brand Recognition
This past decade has been economically challenging to say the least. The general public is discerning as ever regarding discretionary purchases. Price will always play a significant role in these buying decisions, but trust in the brand has become equally, if not more, important. This would be especially true for a new product entry in a market not normally associated with said company. Consumers, along with shareholders, need to have confidence in a corporation prior to supporting any new venture, especially one that might be viewed as risky.
Visionary Leadership
Obviously, this is an absolute necessity for any entity to be successful. The ability to not only anticipate, but more importantly to meet, the long-term demand of the consumer is critical in maintaining/obtaining superiority over the competition. The leadership team must have excellent foresight, but also the mettle to follow through and effectively sell their vision to all vested parties.
The following lists a few companies, all of which have varied historical ties to the video game console industry, which fit this speculative profile.
This giant is no stranger to the video game market. In addition to releasing their moderately successful CD-i line of consoles during the 1990s, Philips was the official distributor and manufacturer of the Magnavox Odyssey 2 video game system in Europe (VideoPac). Philips has long been an innovator within the electronics industry, creating the Laser Disc format and then subsequently developing, in conjunction with Sony and others, the optical disc formats we enjoy today (CD, DVD, Blu-ray). Their portfolio is extremely diversified, with almost 45% of total annual sales derived from their Healthcare division, which in fact specializes in Imaging Systems and Devices (potential 3D gaming applications).
Another industry behemoth, Toshiba has long been a leader in the manufacturing and development of electronic devices and systems. They have been known to invest in emerging technologies, such as the NUON and their patented HD-DVD disc format. Their purchase of Westinghouse Electric Company, one of the world’s largest producers of nuclear energy, in 2006 is a prime example of their visionary culture. They are currently at the forefront of 3D-TV evolution, unveiling the first peripheral-free sets this past October, 2010.
If there is one company that truly excels in building, and maintaining, consumer loyalty, look no further than Apple, Inc. Since their inception in 1976, Apple has continually introduced new products that challenge the traditional offerings of its competitors. This sprit of change, coupled with excellent manufacturing, marketing and support, has garnered them an extremely devoted customer base. Though their last venture into the video game market was disastrous (the Pippin, licensed to Bandai), this company is not afraid to step outside the proverbial box.
The entertainment world has changed considerably over the past decade. Video games are no longer the red headed step child of their box office counterpart(s) - they are now partners. Continued advancements in CGI (computer-generated imagery) and further integration within each medium provides excellent leveraging opportunities. Time Warner’s diversified portfolio provides them the ability to maximize the productivity of existing, internal resources. Let's not forget that Warner also has a little history in the video game hardware market - they owned Atari from 1976-1984.
Yes, this is the dark horse, sentimental entry in this company list. After a successful run throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Sega bowed out of the console war after their release of the Dreamcast system in 1999 due to significant company debt. They have since rebounded as a third party, multi-platform software distributor. Rumors of a new, propriety handheld system have recently surfaced, resulting in a flurry of internet chatter as to the possibility of Sega reentering the hardware arena.
The above list is purely theoretical in nature. Research was conducted in compiling the prospective candidates, but by no means should this be viewed as anything but an educated conjecture. In all honesty, as market conditions change, successful companies have the ability to adapt and shift focus to meet consumer demand and maintain profitability. For all we know, the next juggernaut console may be named one of the following:
OK, I grant you that last entry (SX2) might be a bit of a stretch. But the truth is, the next household name may come from a complete unknown, as has been demonstrated in the past. At the end of the day, new competition only enhances our video gaming experience and advances technology. In today's age, a true perfect storm must occur for this to happen. Who will surprise us?
Outside of the Big Three, who do you think could potentially be the next hardware giant?
Everyone is very familiar with the term Holy Grail - we see it utilized in auctions and being bandied about in user forums like a birdie during a badminton match. At times we may not agree with the assessment as we deem the item 'not worthy' of this high compliment. In all honesty, this is truly a very subjective arena and really comes down to whatever your heart is fixated upon. That being said, this collector posed the very simple question to myself: How does a video game system truly merit the lofty title of being a Holy Grail?
When tackling this question, I conferred with my friend and fellow hardware collector 98PaceCar. We both agreed: it is all about rarity and availability (almost synonymous). That was the easy point of our discussion. We now we had to tackle the lineup of consoles that justify Holy Grail status. Let me tell you, this was no small feat.
When developing our list, we limited ourselves to considering the standard release of a console (no crazy development units, clones, protos or LE/SE editions). Even after this filtering, we still were left with 20 systems that warranted accolades - way too many for one article.
This initial entry of this two part series is entitled The Minors - those systems that just missed out being in the top ten Holy Grails of all time. Let's check out the consoles 11-20 on our list.
20. Nintendo 64DD (Disk Drive)
Though system peripherals were not to be initially included in this countdown, the Nintendo 64DD will be an exception. Released on December 1, 1999 as an add-on for the Nintendo 64, the 64DD was doomed from the start. Technology had passed up the capabilities that it offered (see the PS2 and Xbox) and development for this system ground to a halt. Only nine (9) titles were ever released for this Japanese exclusive. Even the promising RANDnet online gaming service could not save this sinking ship.
19. FM Towns Marty
The Fujitsu Company decided to make an attempt to penetrate the console games market by taking their popular FM TOWNS line of computers and adding in some special components to create a stand alone video game console. The result was the FM Towns Marty, the world's first 32-bit video game console. This is a system that is not hard to find, but the cost to purchase one is steep. Another rare bird is the FM Towns Car Marty - a portable gaming unit that you could plug into the cigarette lighter and enjoy gaming on the road.
18. Sony PSX DESR-5100
The Sony PSX is a high priced multimedia device designed to be the center of your home entertainment experience. The Sony PSX is driven by the "heart and soul" of the Playstation 2 console. This gives the Sony PSX all the features found in the Playstation 2 console (Progressive Scan DVD playback, Music CD playback, Playstation 2 and PlayStation games) combined with full DVR capabilities (and the XMB found in the PS3). The DESR-5100 model was the only edition released in the cool Satin Silver finish (hence this is the desirable model). This Japanese exclusive is not hard to find, but acquiring one is a very pricey proposition.
17. Aiwa Mega-CD
The Aiwa Mega-CD (pictured to the right), was one of these such machines. The system consists of two parts - the top CD player and the bottom docking station that provided the Sega Mega Drive/CD interface/capabilities (except sound). This rare bird was a Japanese exclusive and will lighten your pocketbook quite a bit (if you can find one).
16. Pioneer LaserActive with All PAC Units
Everyone is familiar with the Pioneer LaserActive, but to have one with all of the add-on PAC units is a true feat for any collector. The Sega Pac is rather common, but the NEC unit is the exact opposite. Add to the that the Karaoke and the Computer Interface PACs and you are looking at some serious cash. The rare 3D goggles are another expected expenditure. It was the second most expensive video game console ever released during its day - it retains that expensive distinction to this very day.
15. Gakken Compact Vision
Gakken was a popular manufacturer of arcade and handheld games throughout the 1980s. In 1983, Gakken decided to try their hand at the home console market with the Gakken Compact Vision. This is definitely one strange bird - the controller is built into the system itself and is definitely one of the oddest designs ever created. All games (only 6 were released) are single player affairs. This system never saw the light of day outside of the Japanese market.
14. Nichubitsu My Vision
Another console released only in Japan. Arcade game maker Nichibutsu wanted to take a chance on the console market. In 1983 they released the KH-1000 better known as "My Vision" (manufactured by Kanto Electronics). The My Vision carts were all based on board games. Its biggest focus was on the game Mahjong. The My Vision also provided an external port for Mahjong expansion cartridges. This is another system that never took off and owes its inclusion on this list due to its obscurity.
13. Sharp Famicom Titler AN-510
Having the distinction of being the only Nintendo Famicom system that delivered S-Video output, this console is truly a behemoth. In addition to being a full gaming machine, the Titler incorporating video editing capabilities (subtitles, credits, etc.) complete with a writing pad and styles. You could plug your video camera directly into the back of the system and edit to your heart's content. To this day, I still can not fathom why this was done. It any case, this oddity is definitely a prized possession in any collector's display.
12. Commodore 64GS
In 1990, Commodore set their attentions on the videogame console market. They followed the same concept as other computer companies (Fujitsu with the FM Towns Marty and before that the Amstrad GX400). Their new system was called the Commodore 64GS (GS = Game System) and was released only in Europe. The unit was basically just a repackaged Commodore 64 computer. It did not fair well as all since technology had already passed it by at the time of its release.
11. Tomy Pyuuta Jr.
The Tomy Pyuuta Jr. was the dedicated console release of the Tomy Pyuuta, a hybrid computer released in Japan in 1983. The original Pyuuta had a moderate amount of success, enough so to have models released in Europe (Grandstand Tutor) and in North America (Tomy Tutor). This is another Japanese exclusive and is a tough find due to its limited release as well as its unpopularity. Expect to import this if you are able to find one at all.
What Consoles Do You Think Will Make the Top 10??
Stay tuned for Part II in this series, The Majors!!
Loose games are definitely the red-headed stepchildren of the video game collector. Regardless of how many hours of enjoyable game play they provide, I always find myself harboring a certain disdain for these orphans. I can organize till my heart's content and yet they don't even come close to presenting as well as their CIB counterparts in my Room of Doom. In all honesty, I find myself utilizing them as 'spacers' or 'props' for their CIB brethren rather than integrating them fully into my collection.
I love the game Halo and (believe it or not) the actual disc (pictured to the left) still plays great, even though my brother's dog got at it like it was a piece of fresh steak. The only reason this would be displayed in my collection would be as a conversational piece. Now that is just wrong.
As any CIB purist will tell you, the solution is to simply re-buy a game in its complete state. I wholeheartedly agree, but let's face reality - not many people (including me) have the unlimited discretionary funds at their disposal to do this. I just want to be able to proudly display these strays, while keeping my financial investment at a minimum. To accomplish this, there are basically two areas that we need to focus upon - the casing and the accompanying artworkcover.
Let's provide some redemption for these lost souls - all for around $1 per game!!
Game Casing
The first step in our 'orphan makeover' is to get them a new holder. Seeking out some of the oddball packaging (Sega CD, CD-i, 3DO, etc.) is not really an option since we need to keep the total cost per game at about $1. The table below shows what replacement case to use for a respective system, along with some popular web links on where to purchase (these will open in a new window).
Standard CD Jewel Case Approximate Cost $0.24
You can use these for any of the CD based systems, including the TurboGrafx (Hue Card - with modification). I am not a big fan of these, but they do save on space. Systems that originally came in this packaging were the Sony Playstation (for the most part), Sega Dreamcast (various colors). TG-16CD, Philips CD-i (without the big box) and the Bandai Pippin (though deeper). The Casio Loopy and Bandai Playdia also came in modified versions of this CD case.
This is my preferred method of storage for loose disc-based games. Tall, plenty of room for artwork, manuals, easy to display, etc. - I love DVD cases! This was the standard casing for the Sony Playstation 2, Nintendo GameCube and NUON titles. In addition, this is the casing of choice for Sega CD, Panasonic 3DO, Philips CD-i, NEC PC-FX, Memorex VIS and the original longbox Sony Playstation games.
The standard casing for the Nintendo Wii is the white DVD case - nothing flashy but highly effective in it's presentation. I haven't had the need to replace any of my Wii titles as of yet, but these will run you a few more cents.
These translucent green cases are designed for Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360 games. These are a little bit trickier to find. You will pay through the nose for them on the various auction sites - I definitely recommend getting a lot of these and split them up with you buds. This will save you a boatload of cash.
This frosty clear Sony PS3 case can be rather expensive. Sometimes you can score these pretty cheap on the mainstream sites, but don't expect them to have the signature Sony logo on them. If you want that be prepared to shell out another $3.50 or so per case.
The Universal Game Case - our orphan's true savior. This marvel can hold nearly any cart that you have lying around. It is the same height / width of a DVD case, but is twice as deep (1"). Definitely purchase them in bulk - you will end up three times as much if you don't.
Now that we have some new digs for our loose games, it is time to get them a little 'paint'. There are a few websites out there that offer downloadable artwork, but the best by far is The Cover Project.
At this website, you can download very professional renditions of the original game's jacket, as well as some customized versions. With all cover art organized by system, the site is very easy to navigate and downloading the artwork is a snap. For each submission the author lets you know what game case the design was intended for. Simply down, print and place in your previously purchased game case and you are ready to roll. Here are some of their sample offerings (size scaled down for this article):
Samples for use with The Universal Game Case
Sample for use with a CD Jewel Case (FrontBack)
Samples for use with DVD Style Casing
To print the full-sized inlays at home costs around $0.20 (depending on your printer) per copy. This is based on using regular paper - not the shiny high-gloss variety (which you really don't need for this project). To send it over to your local Kinkos will run you around $0.53. This is not a bad deal either to be honest, especially if you do not have the means at your home to produce quality color documents.
In Summary
My bro is never going to get a free pass for letting his dogs destroy my copy of Halo, but for around a buck I can once again fully integrate it proudly into my main collection. Do not give up hope on those loose, misbegotten souls - new life is just $1 away.
NOTE: None of this is necessarily 'new' info, but I thought it would be helpful for all collectors, regardless of experience, to have this info all in one place. And no, I am not getting any kickbacks from any of the sites listed/featured in this article. I am listing them only as a possible resource for you.
The level of enjoyment of any multi-player gaming experience is heavily dependant upon your fellow gamers. Whether it be teaming with a bud in a co-op couch game of Contra or joining an online bout with hundreds of unnamed souls in Worlds of Warcraft, it still boils down to the same - are the people you are interacting with cool?
This was never so evident to me after the massacre I stomached during my recent online gaming experience (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2). Gamers come in all shapes and sizes as well as dispositions. This mirrors the varied communal landscapes that we respectively reside within. The diversity of the players truly make the gaming experience, but let's face it - they are those that we would be A-OK to never see or hear from again.
The following pokes a little fun at the each of these types by describing the pros/cons of playing with them.
The BFF-Wannabee a.k.a. Overly Friendly Dude
The Gaming Posse / Clan a.k.a. Brothers Fo' Eva'
Pros
o Pretty affable and easy to get along with o They are always encouraging even if you suck
Pros
o Their good teamwork can really rock the score o Sometimes their bantering can be humorous
Cons
o Tend to get on your nerves rather quickly o Talks way too much during a gaming session
Cons
o Can have a self-driven, elitist mentality o Slow to make a decision - no alpha wolf present
The Overly Charged a.k.a. The Cry Baby
The Night of the Living Dead a.k.a. Catatonics 'R Us
Pros
o They'll definitely keep the team objective focused o No question as to what they are thinking/feeling
Pros
o Good team players and receives direction well o Doesn't clutter the airwaves with useless musings
Cons
o Easy to throw off their game with a little goading o Constant whining is akin to that of a 9 year old
Cons
o Hard to tell if they are even alive and breathing o They are about as much fun as a 24-hour Dentist
The Serious Joe a.k.a. Too Smart For My Own Good
The Big Easy a.k.a. Laisser-faire United
Pros
o These achievement whores will carry your team o Will take 'point' on difficult tasks/objectives
Pros
o Goes with the flow - never makes waves o Open for any variation of the game, at any time
Cons
o I Am An Island (they don't really care about you) o Most are basically egocentrically a-holes
Cons
o Sloooow player... this isn't chess holmes! o Easily loses focus while admiring game scenery
The Flirt a.k.a. Anonymity Rocks!!
The Drunk & Stoned a.k.a. Pass The Cheetos Dude!
Pros
o Always nice hearing a sexy sounding female voice o Gets imagination thinking it might be Jessica Alba
Pros
o This guy is a riot to play with when not puking o Easy to send in as the sacrificial guinea pig
Cons
o Unnecessarily distracts your hard-up teammates o Jessica Alba is NEVER on the other end of the mic
Cons
o Leaves the game every 5 minutes for munchies o Asks many questions; forgets own name allot
The Unfocused Multi-Tasker a.k.a. ADD Sufferers
The Hater a.k.a. Mad At The World Guy
Pros
o Juggles multiple team assignments well o Pretty OK when changing games
Pros
o Fun to rile them up - easy target for verbal abuse o Hmmm... I honestly can't think of anything else
Cons
o Usually never knows what the heck is going on o Spends time dicking around instead of playing
Cons
o Always making excuses and blaming others o Basically they are a pain in the ass
The Legend a.k.a. The Old Fart
The Child Prodigy a.k.a. The Most Hated of All Gamer Types
Pros
None, unless you are are looking for... o ...a history lesson on games like PONG o ...a true Alpha Wolf to make decisions (j/k pups)
Pros
None, unless they are your kid and can have them... o ...fetch your favorite beverage during a session o ...set you up for life by winning game tourneys
Cons
o Leaves game every 5 minutes for the bathroom o They ARE the 24-Hour dentist o Basically sum of Cons above, just a bit different
Cons
o They don't even have to try to beat you o You will never be as good as they are at age 10 o Trash talk, show-boating, etc. Need I go on???
What Other Gaming Types Did I Miss?? Which One(s) Would You Consider Yourself?
Obviously this writing plays upon some common stereotypes and associated personality quirks. We all have our unique peccadilloes and probably can honestly pick a few of the Pros / Cons from the various types depicted above. Special thanks to the anonymous pictured in the above public domain pictures featured in this article for allowing us to have a little fun.
Like any other gamer or collector, I take great pride in the preservation of the spoils of war that reside in my Room of Doom. I do not loan out my games to just anyone. I made the unfortunate mistake of including my brother in my extremely limited 'circle of trust'.
Halo: Combat Evolved was our game of choice when it came to head-to head battle. After years of beating on him like a farm animal, I reluctantly lent him my copy to allow him time to refine his skills. Three years later while celebrating my niece's birthday at his home this past month, he presented to me the following:
Brutal, just plain brutal - that is all I have to say about the above picture, though it is still CIB in a somewhat masochistic way. Of course my brother apologized for the condition, albeit chuckling heavily during the entire time of his 'remorseful' delivery. I present to you now the villains (both of whom reek of guilt), who happened to be sitting just to the right of us during this exchange:
I have to admit that my brother used his time wisely when he basically annexed this game from my collection. We eventually fired this up that evening and I received the beating of a lifetime. The can of 'whop-ass' he released on me dwarfed the abuse that I had once imparted upon him.
Lesson 1 --> Don't lend your games out to people who share a household with the villains (or like) pictured above. Lesson 2 --> Beating on your little brother is always fun. Why risk losing that opportunity and loan him a game?
What Have You Got??
Pictures really enhance your story - please include if you can.
Though not a huge game collector, I do tend to invest in software for the more unique systems in my collection. I enter into this fully aware that the games (for the most part) will see limited action and will require me to pay a premium due to their limited availability andor production. This is something we all encounter to various degrees in our respective treasure hunts. That being said, there are some specific consoles that require heavy financial commitment to collect for, regardless of the title.
The systems listed below have software libraries that exceed, at a minimum, 20 titles. It is true that these could hardly be considered mainstream in regards to overall market penetration. With the exception of the Neo Geo AES, the remaining contenders were basically failures in the gaming industry.
One consistent characteristic shines through for each one of these consoles - the high price of their software. Regardless of the title, these systems have the highest average mean when it comes to collecting. This is mostly due to availability as well as how the system was initially marketed and the respective target audience.
Nintendo Virtual Boy System Released: 1995 Games Released: 22
Pioneer LaserActive System Released: 1993 Games Released: 44
In all honesty, I have no idea what the attraction is for this systemgames. Sure, it was innovative for the time, but all I get from an experience with the Virtual Boy is a severe migraine. The games overall are pretty crappy IMHO, but yet most CIB games will run you around $20-$25 at a minimum for the common titles. I am not exactly sure why games for this system fetch a high price tag. Want a Japanese version - tack on another 20% (for most titles) plus the extra shippinghandling .
The second most expensive game system ever released and the games will still hit your wallet pretty hard. It is true that most of the games for this system originally retailed at around $100 USD. In today's market, these Laser Disk games begin at around $40 USD and go on up. None are really anything to write home about, but I do admit that they do look impressive compared to a NES cart. Most of the games have to be imported from Japan, where the Pioneer LaserActive was a much bigger hit than in the USA.
Neo Geo AES System Released: 1990 Games Released: 154
Bandai Pippin System Released: 1995 Games Released: 93
Still regarded as the 2D powerhouse of the home console market, the Neo Geo produced games on cartridges that rival the size of a library book. Ginormous is the only way to describe them. Be prepared to shell out some cash to add some of these beasts into your library. The cheap games will fetch around $20 USD, but on an average you can expect to doll out between $50-$60 USD for most average titles.
Lack of availability completely drives the Bandai Pippin game market. The releases were pretty average for the day, but the system itself failed miserably trying to become the first true consolecomputer hybrid in the market. Most titles were released in Japan, but even there software is scarce. Expect your credit card to get beat on by an average of $50 USD (plus shippinghandling) when getting any title - much more for the true gaming software.
I used a 20 game minimum library to create this list. This takes out the truly obscure systems like the Capcom CPS Changer, Bandai SuperVision 8000 and the RDI Halcyon. Obviously, those systems with under 10 total games released command top buck.
I don't know about you, but I tend to be rather ritualistic when preparing for a serious gaming session. Just like setting the table for dinner, everything has to be set just so prior to my indulgence. Preparation is paramount in order to fully enjoy my upcoming virtual experience. Yes, I admit that my OCD tendencies might have some bearing on the extremely structured routine I follow. I would like to believe I am not an island and that all of us gamers share certain 'peccadilloes' in this regard.
Anyway, the following details some of my required groundwork prior to firing up the system and getting lost in the worlds of Oblivion. Items are listed in the order that they are executed.
Hunt & Gather
The right selection and quantities of munchies and beverages are critical for any gaming tour of duty. You can't expect to give it your all while working on an empty tank - you will need to visit the refueling station every now and again to replenish the reserves.
When it comes to munchies, I personally avoid anything that can either 'crumb' or that I can indent my fingerprint upon. The last thing I need is a controller pasted with chocolate residue and lighted 'flavored' with potato chip salt. Also, any food that requires delivery utensils of any kind (i.e. fork) is forbidden in my sick world. Slim Jims fit the bill for me: easy to eat, the correct portion size, no mess at all - the perfect combination (and taste pretty good too). Low maintenance is a key here in choosing my favorite rations.
Regarding fluids, I have been on a continued quest since 1995 to find a suitable replacement for my ultimate gaming beverage of choice - Gatorade Ice Tea. This drink had it all - excellent flavor, generous portion size (32 oz.) and provided immediate refreshment. I am a HUGE ice tea fan, but not so much of the aftereffects endured while deeply entrenched in my game. The continual runs to the john to pay back the piper gets old quick. I didn't have to consume great quantities of Gatorade Ice Tea to get the best of both worlds (ice tea flavor and personal rehydration). Gatorade Frost Glacial Freeze is now my weapon of choice, but I still dearly miss long lost gaming friend.
Eliminate Human Contact
Alone time is always optimal when getting involved with the latest release or a cherished classic by oneself. There is a time for sharing our passion with our family and loved ones, but during a focused gaming session is not one of them. The last thing I want to hear, in one simple word, is anything. I have a task at hand forthcoming and human interaction will distract me from my primary mission - mastering the awaiting challenge ahead.
At times this is a pothole that can not be easily avoided. Family and loved ones always take precedence, that is a given. But on the rare occasion when you have the crib to yourself, you must be prepared to act decisively. GAMING DEFCON 1 actions need to be immediately enacted. In other words, my cell phone ringer gets switched to 'Emergency' and 'I Won The Lotto' modes - all others get the dreaded voicemail. Yes, I agree that this may be a little extreme. Tell me I am wrong that you aren't peeved to no end when your buddy calls to shoot the breeze when you are smack in the middle of a mob of henchman and fighting for your virtual life.
Don the Garb
Just like the virtual warrior I am about to become, armor selection is paramount. Comfort is obviously the key with old baggy clothing usually fitting the bill. For me, I prefer layering to a degree to give me some flexibility. My 4 Star Suit of choice is a pair of those cheap woven sleep pants from Target, wool socks, a Haines T-Shirt (have to love the no-tags) and my Mr. Rodgers sweater. Propping my baseball cap on the melon and I am ready to go.
Adjust Atmospheric Conditions
Proper alignment of your gaming cockpit is a must. Any serious gamer already has this already in place in their Room of Doom, but still this is something that can never be overlooked and should be addressed.
Seating is critical and I, like most, have my own special gaming chair – a high-back swivel desk chair with an accompanying plush ottoman to rest the dogs. It provides ease of movement along with the proper support for both my arms and neck (especially needed in those marathon sessions). Personally, I can not stand gaming while having my keister planted on a couch. I grant you that the sofa is perfectly suited for co-op play and catching the game on a Sunday afternoon, but not so much for extended game play. As for a loveseat, forget it. To this very day I truly have no idea what its function is. I have vowed never to own one.
No set up is complete without the proper gaming side table. This should be large enough to shoulder your rations and remote, but cheap so you don't have to worry about using a coaster for your beverage. No need to spend a million dollars on these either - you can snag one from Wal-Mart for $4. My lady friend rather hates them since the molded plastic table does not fit in at all with the rest of my decor. Hmmm.... perfectly coordinated furnishings or a functional piece of equipment? Sorry honey, you'll have to live with them.
Last thing to do is to set the lighting low, close all vertical blinds and get into cave-mode.
Assemble the Mascots
This is basically all about our support group that accompanies us on our gaming adventure. Most of us have one, whether it be a favorite lid for our dome or a funky pair of slippers. For me it is all about my 'gaming blankie'.
I have to admit that I was rather relieved at the reaction when I shared this personal fact about myself in a previous article. To much of my surprise, I found that most could relate, sometimes first hand, and shared some form of this 'mascot' tendency. One person had a sock puppet that always stuck by his side, for another it was a 60 ounce glass stein for his beverages. Whatever the case, they need to be ready and available to join your efforts.
Game On!!! (?)
A fistful of Slim Jims and a cool Gatorade sit next to me on my $4 table. My 'pleather' desk chair creaks a bit but welcomes back my ever-widening bum as I plop down into position. My freshly laundered 'gaming blankie' is draped loosely across my legs. Nothing left to do except to get it on!!
I press the center button on my Xbox 360 controller and eagerly await the system screen to begin my assault on the lands of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. Nothing. Hmmm.... I press it again, somehow expecting a different result. Still nothing.
If only I would have remembered to get batteries for my controller!!!
These are a few of my pecadilloes - what are yours?
Firing up a cherished classic or the latest next-gen release is always a pleasure, regardless of when we can set aside free time to indulge in our passion. That is a given. But what are truly are the best conditions that we enjoy for gaming?
The following lists a few of my favorites.
During a Storm
Who doesn't love firing up the console when the heavens open up and Mother Nature unleashes her fury? Whether it be a darkened sky caused by a May rain squall or a complete white-out during a December blizzard, there is just something that screams out "Let the Games Begin!" to even the least passionate of players. Hearing your windows being repeatedly pelted by the outside elements is like a mating call from your favorite system - you just can't deny 'her'.
Adverse weather conditions also offer the perfect gaming environment. The cave-like feeling that is created is optimum for hunkering down in front of the big screen and setting your warrior loose to wreck some havoc. The games, for whatever reason, seem to almost look better during a storm! Granted the darkened exterior has a great deal to do with this, but there is something more to this phenomenon that I can not fully place my finger upon.
The best part of gaming during a storm is the multitude of excuses that are Express Mailed directly to you. During these turbulent times gamers do not have to strictly rely upon their creativity in generating reasons to their loved ones for game time allotment - bad weather gives us the grounds we need and all are defensible. Exterior\yard responsibilities? Covered (for obvious reasons). Interior\house projects? Covered (would you really make me go out in this weather to get paint?). The only catch here is to ensure that you plan ahead and have your gaming food and beverage rations on hand prior to the storm hitting. They will be mad as hell if you are man enough to brave the elements to hunt and gather for some Slim Jims and Power Ade but balk at going shopping with them.
After the Speakeasy
My 'party like a rock star' days are definitely behind me, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy a tall cold one every now and again with my buds. Friday night is usually our 'Boys are Back in Town' evening when this occurs since Saturday is designated as 'date night' with our respective honey. After catching up on real life activities (a.k.a. round table venting session), we move on to more interesting subject matter - video games! The usual course of reminiscing, chest-beating and other caveman talk ensues and we are finally ready to blow out of our local watering hole and get to some gaming. They know the routine well and love it - my icebox will be stockpiled with "personality juice", late night munchies aplenty and at least four classic systems hooked up and ready to go.
Once back at my 'crib' (yes - old guy here trying to be 'fly'), we bust out the crowd favorites and begin the controller assault. Previously consumed cocktails are not helping our technical prowess - this is mediocre at best to start with and this statistic decreases by at least 5% per the hour (remember - full ammo in the fridge). To be honest this just adds to the experience when we make some dumb move or have to eat some crow after a misfired bit of trash talk. The laughter just doesn't stop until we all just dead tired and have no other option to crash for the night.
Side Note: Our lady friends are cool with this monthly "Gamers Night" (sleepover) at my house. Heck, we even get breakfast made in the morning for all of us! All of this does come at a price though - primping sessions for all of them at the local salon (we are making out on this deal I think).
Waking Up at 2 AM
Ever try to sneak in a power nap after a long day and end up waking up in the middle of the night? Wide eyed and wired after your 6 hour hibernation, there is always the comfort of your system to work off some energy. You more than likely have the entire gaming room to yourself, no worries about friends calling and pretty much free of all responsibilities (no one can expect you to be truly productive at 2 AM, can they??).
Regardless if I have to work the next day or not, I feel pumped at the fact that I will have approximately 4 hours of uninterrupted gaming before the world begins to awaken. This is a conscious choice. I know at the end of the 'real' day that I will probably be pretty wiped out after having this ultra-early gaming session. Nonetheless, once I hear that whir of my console firing up and after my eyes adjust to the artificial light of my television, I know it will be well worth it.
Side note: Having your favorite gaming 'blankie' during this time is a must. Let's be honest - most of us have retained this dependency from infancy. For those who have not, you don't know what you are missing.
On 'Sick' Days
Isn't odd that when you feel under the weather and are not able to go to school or work, you can somehow muster the inner strength for a good, long gaming session? Nuff said.
These are a few of my favorite gaming times - what are yours?
A special thanks to Dave and his community at the Video Game Critic for the inspiration for this article.
Every video game enthusiast absolutely loves adding a new title or system to their collection. Whether it be a treasure that has been extremely elusive or simply an anticipated release for a current gen system. We love them all and experience a certain rush with any new addition to our respective "Hero's Chest". On the flipside, a boatload of irritants accompany your new conquests of war. Some of these are akin to mosquito bites while others can truly suck the life right out of your soul. The following lists a few of my 'favorites'.
Storing Boxes
I am definitely a CIB fanatic when it comes to video game hardware collecting. That being said, I absolutely hate going through the arduous task of storing system boxes once they are displayed in my collection.
First there is the simple fact that 90% of us do not have unlimited space to devote to our hobby. When I first began collecting, I thought that it would be cool to be able to present every original box with its respective system as a part of my presentation (hence basically relieving myself of this storage issue). This was great in theory but not so much when my collection began to quickly outgrow the physical constraints of my Room of Doom. A secondary space needed to be allocated, but not just any closet to toss the boxes in and forget about them. I need room to maneuver for my biggest annoyance - box rotation.
Even with the Star Trek Deflector Shield activated (aka monster bubble wrap), the pure combined weight of mounded system cartons will eventually crush even the sturdiest of these retail packagings. In lieu of using the 'box-in-a-box' method for preservation (thus requiring even MORE storage space), the only way to protect them is a solid rotational program - a time that I have come to dread every month without exception. What a pain!
Being "Out-Sniped"
You have the sought-after mint Atari Lynx system with 19 games in your crosshairs. The auction ends on a Wednesday evening at 4:00 AM (not exactly the Friday closing bell time of the NYSE - perfect!!). You set your alarm clock for 3:45 AM to ensure that the 'morning' duties (microwave a cup of yesterday's leftover coffee; hit the bathroom while your cup of Joe "brews") do not interfere with your upcoming focused bidding efforts. Now positioned in front of your PC (3:57 AM), you see that the opening 'feeler' bid of $9.99 is still all that has been placed. Yahtzee!! you say to yourself. You increase your maximum bid to $75 (better to be safe than sorry you say to yourself). Time ticks down and you can almost taste victory....
I don't have to finish this personal recollection - obviously I lost this auction to a sniper (which I was coincidentally trying to do) for $75.50. This defeated feeling we all know too well - missing out on a good deal. I also feel this way when I am 'asleep at the wheel' and view "Sold" items that I missed out on that went for a great price.
Cleaning the Wares
I'll keep this section short and sweet since this is pretty obvious - we all hate this. I find this so tedious that I actually farm out this chore (albeit to my lady friend). It costs me a gift certificate to Michael's Salon for her every month, but this is well worth it for me to get out of doing this necessary task (also ensures she looks good and maintains her eye candy appeal).
UPDATE : As with most of my articles, I chose to share this writing with the aforementioned "her" prior to publishing. What a mistake! She took one look at this section and began to blackmail me wanting an additional $20 gift cert to said salon for, of all things, a pedicure!!. I don't know about you, but feet don't do a whole lot for me. Well groomed or not, they should stay stay firmly planted in their 'sock house' and only be allowed out once a day max (for the morning shower). I ended up reluctantly agreeing to her new terms, but only after I had successfully negotiated moving another despised duty off of my list and onto hers - laundry.
Shuffling the Display
I feel safe in saying that most video game collectors have a fierce sense of organization and require their spoils of war to be displayed just so. It is pretty easy to incorporate one game into your presentation - quite another when dealing with bulk software purchases or adding a new system.
Besides the obvious space issues, many times items need to be rearranged to properly incorporate your new acquisition. For hardware, I have everything displayed by the year of its release (yes - I admit to having a bit of an OCD issue). Adding a console released in the 1970s requires me to move the rest of the systems 'up one' in my main shelving unit to accommodate this new hardware. I know I may go a bit overboard in this regard, but I am sure you can relate in your own way based on your own Room of Doom. You develop a style\feel within it and anything new has to be properly 'integrated'.
Selling
Need I say more?
No one likes to sell anything when they have invested substantial time and effort in acquiring. Trading dupes is one thing: the win-win ratio is nearly 100%. Selling a holy grail from one's collection is a completely different animal and many times this truly has nothing to do with price\rarity of the item.
For instance, I have a copy of King's Field for the Sony Playstation CIB in the original 'long box'. Nice - sure it is, but rare or pricey it is not. However, I love this game and it was\is one of my favorite titles to this day. Parting with it would be difficult.
How many posts have you read where people wish they would have kept their original NES system and ended up having to purchase another one many years later? Regret, like the weather, can never be accurately forecasted.
These are a few of my frustrations - What really "chaps your ass" about being a collector?
One thing I learned many years ago is to never throw away a necktie, unless I had soiled it beyond repair by dribbling Arby's barbecue sauce all over myself during a rushed luncheon. Neckties are to gentlemen like shoes are to women - they will always come back in style at some point down the road. I almost hate myself for saying this. I know I am just pouring gasoline on an already healthy fire known as my lady friend's 'Shoe Museum' that now occupies the space formerly known as my closet. The most popular medium of today's internet is somewhat similar - the Forum.
While perusing a Sacred 2: Fallen Angels board this morning an odd déjà vus moment hit me. The year was 1991 and my warrior was getting beat on like a rent-a-car in Conan the Cimmerian by Virgin Interactive on my Packard Bell 386 computer. Back then the rage was all about 'Hint Lines' - a telephone number you could call to get assistance and tips on a certain game. But there was another option that was available to frustrated gamers - the Bulletin Board System (BBS). This was basically the precursor to what we now know as Forums.
The BBS was developed in the late 1970's as a means to allow users to share information, data and to communicate with each other on their mutually shared passion. Most of these were purely text generated graphical affairs requiring a modem to dial into the host - for the most part they were not supported in the early days of the internet. A long distance call was often required from your LAN line to connect to these hubs (usually ran off a dedicated server in some guy's house). You had to be quick - get in, post/get your info and log off. Time dawdling would result in your telephone bill skyrocketing beyond your fiscal means (at least for me). The foundation for the Forum as we now know it was laid.
Besides the sharing of information, creating communities has always been a goal of the internet. I did not embrace this aspect of the BBS in its early days - I just wanted the info to defeat Saranj and his entourage of saber wielding bandits in the courtyard of Nanuck. I was frugal with my discretionary financial resources, which were extremely limited at the time, to fully partake in this aspect of the BBS. Thank goodness technology has evolved to allow resources like RF Generation, Digital Press, ASSEMblers and the like to provide this integral goal for free.
Unlike most of my 50+ neckties that sit in storage awaiting their rebirth, the groundwork established by the BBS has reemerged countless times during the development of the internet. From My Space to Twitter to our favorite bookmarked Forums, the legacy of the BBS still lives on and flourishes to this day. Only time will tell what new incarnation of the BBS will surface down the road.
As technology has developed through the years, the art of collecting in the video game arena has become a global experience. Our quest for that last game to complete a system library is no longer limited to local garage sales, flea markets and the rare 'Funcoland-type' retail stores. eBay, internet eCommerce sites and enthusiast forums have been the primary channels for these new purchasing gateways. This contemporary international marketplace provides great opportunities for us collectors, but also is accompanied by a bevy of questions, misnomers and technical challenges.
This article will focus on many of these fronts, but not from the typical collector's viewpoint as many posts do. We will be interviewing Eric Krust, a successful video game proprietor based in Japan.
Eric is the owner and operator of Japan-Games.com and specializes in the selling of rare and obscure Japanese games and consoles. Many of the systems that you see featured in my collection are a direct result of transactions I have had with him over the past 4 years. He is a trusted ally and has agreed to take part in this interview to share some of his expertise and experience.
Before the actual interview, a couple of possible assumptions might need to be dispelled. First, I am not affiliated with Japan-Games.com nor is this article intended to be an advertisement. No - I don't get any deals or commission or anything like as a result of this writing. In fact, it will possibly only increase competition for items that he sells that I want. I asked Eric to do this for the simple fact that I thought his input would be beneficial and a 'good read' for everyone.
OK, enough of my bantering, on to the Q and A...
< MG > Thanks Eric for taking the time with me this afternoon to partake in this interview. Let's first tackle how you got into the video game business, as well as came to be based out of Japan.
< EK > I think it all started with a copy of Samurai Showdown 2 for Neo Geo. I was in Japan and tooling around eBay and I noticed the game in auction. I remember seeing it for sale in a local game shop and realized that people were selling games from Japan. At that time I was an English teacher in Japan. My background was in real estate but I took a year off to do something interesting and now it's turned into 9 years....
< MG > Are you a collector yourself as well as a seller? Would you consider yourself a gamer?
< EK > I'm a gamer but not a collector. I used to collect but when you have a warehouse full of games it seems kind of pointless. In a way everything I've sold is my collection. It might be temporary, but there is a sense of satisfaction to have owned so many rare consoles even if I don't have them anymore. I do have one collection that's nearly done with is a piece of software for every console ever released in Japan. I'm about 90% done.... still waiting to get my hands on a CreatiVision title. As a gamer I play Xbox 360, usually Team Fortress 2 with my Japanese friends.
< MG > What are some of your favorite games as well as consoles, both retro as well as today's current generation?
< EK > There are a lot of different ways to rank consoles. In terms of beauty I'd have to go with the Toshiba TVG-610 or the Hitachi VG-104. For sheer coolness it would have to be the Palcom Laserdisc system. For collecting I like anything obscure like the EPOCH Atari consoles or the Bandai Gundam PC. I also have a soft spot for all of the Sega Dreamcast special editions and Xbox special editions from Japan. I usually play Xbox or SNES/N64. I have a small amount of games that I usually play over and over again.
In reality I like collecting information more than anything else. I'd bet that my photo database for Japanese video games is the largest in the world. What you see on my website now is probably less than half of what I have. One day my collection will be to have the most comprehensive Japanese video game database on the plant.... if I can ever figure out the right way to do that...
Palcom Laserdisc system Eric's right - this is a cool looking system!
< MG > Thanks for sharing some of your background with us Eric. Let's move on to some of the burning questions from the community - international shipping - how costs are calculated and what are are the various shipping/tracking methods available, along with the pros and cons of each?
< EK > From Japan you can use EMS (3-5 days), SAL (3 weeks), or SEA (3 months). All have tracking. SAL and SEA don't offer insurance to all areas, notably the UK, Canada and Germany. It would be impossible to give all of the information in just one answer but this page will help: http://www.japan-games.co...hp?n=Information.Shipping. Cost can vary between Sellers. The fast-changing dollar-yen rate causes havoc with that sometimes.
< MG > Another hot topic is how to run a system released in Japan at my home - from electrical to television requirements. Can you break down what is needed for both North America and European nations?
< EK > The US and Japan have no special requirements. You can plug in a Japanese console into a US outlet and vice versa without problems. One thing you should never do is mix and match power cables, though. Don't use an American plug in an American outlet on a Japanese console. Just use the Japanese plug and you'll be fine. Both countries are NTSC. The only issue you'll have to worry about is region protection. You can play older RF switch box games by using a regular composite cable and adapter and tuning your TV to channel 96.
European requirements are more tricky. You will have to use a step-down transformer because the power is different and that can vary by region. You also have the PAL/NTSC issues with software.
< MG > We know about eBay, Chase the Chuckwagon, Craig's List and the like, but what exactly is Yahoo Auctions? Why is bidding/participation limited to people with shipping addresses in Japan?
< EK >Yahoo is the dominant internet force in Japan. Because of that their Auction system is the dominant force in online auctions in Japan. eBay tried to break into the market about 10 years ago but never gained traction.
Japan has natural barriers with language and geography. They have little to no practice using English beyond school textbooks and doing business over the internet is something they'll naturally shy away from because they won't ever fully understand the logistics of everything and their society has enough wealth where they can just sell to a Japanese Buyer and not worry about it. That's to say they don't need international Buyers. To them, selling to overseas Buyers is confusing, time consuming, risky, and of little financial benefit to them overall. They just don't see the benefit of opening up that can of worms for what amounts to a few extra dollars when they can just sell it to a Japanese person and not worry about anything.
Proxy bidding services act as the middle man where there is something between the Buyer and Seller to facilitate the transaction for a small fee. That's really the only way that someone will be able to bid on Yahoo from overseas and actually have it be worth their time.
< MG > I have heard of proxy bidding services? What exactly is this and how does it work?
< EK > The function of a proxy service is to complete the transaction in a way that's familiar to a Japanese Seller. The overseas Buyer places a bid and the proxy handles the transaction for them. The proxy will contact the Seller, make payment, receive the item in Japan, then ship it to the Buyer overseas. From the perspective of the Seller he's just sold it to a Japanese person living in Japan.
< MG > What three items do you pinpoint as being the largest contributors to your success as an international dealer?
< EK > I'm assuming you're talking about business practices and not actual game related items? It's not really rocket science. Just know what you're selling, present it accurately and treat people fairly. Being professional in an inefficient marketplace goes a long way. There's still a lot of room for that. About half my sales are through repeat customers.
< MG > Say I am considering getting into the business of being a reseller of video games and related items. What would be three critical tips you would have for me?
< EK > Know your product, test and present the product to eliminate all Buyer fears, then handle the business end of things professionally. Oh, yeah, and find a cheap source to buy from.... but good luck with that.
< MG > What about tips for being a successful buyer? And no, I am not asking you to give away any of your trade secrets, but feel free to do share some if you would like
< EK > In reality all Sellers are really Buyers. Without good product then you'll never really be a Seller. You need to know what a good deal is and what isn't. You need to know a lot about your product because knowing one little change or special model is worth a lot more than others. You need to know rarity and be able to price things properly when there's sometimes no other sale to compare it to. The market goes up and down sometimes, so you need to know what will sell now and what won't sell now. Right now the financial crisis is hitting everyone, and the only good things selling are the rare consoles. A lot of the "standardized" items aren't selling at all. That means I'm not buying a lot of those items right now.
< MG > One final question. Where do you see the video game marketplace in the next 5 years? Will eBay alternatives like Chase the Chuckwagon continue to spring up on the internet? What about locally in our respective backyards - will we see more local retailers in this area?
< EK >eBay will always be the dominant force. I've had a couple of websites for sales in the past but it takes a very, very long time to get it noticed and it takes a lot of money to advertise and keep the site running. In the end I knew I could just throw everything up on eBay and have it all sold in 10 days. So, that's what I did.
There's always room for niche sites like Chase the Chuckwagon. I think they'll continue to grow. But in the end no matter how angry people are at eBay, no one can match their exposure. The other sites might be better, cheaper, more Seller friendly, but in the end it comes down to exposure and if you depend on a steady stream of sales to keep yourself in business it's hard to break away from eBay.
I don't know enough about the video game marketplace overall to really comment on the industry as a whole, but one positive thing seems to be the small developers for the newer consoles, games you sometimes see in places like Xbox Live. The larger software developers have too much overhead that they tend to release the same titles over and over again as a safety net. The smaller titles with lower overhead can experiment more with being creative.
When I bought my Xbox I never thought I'd spend so much time playing downloaded titles for under $10 that are just fun to play, games like Heavy Weapon, 3D golf, UNO, etc. I think those games are the heart and soul of gaming and it's getting a second chance. When people talk about their favorite games they almost never mention graphics but that's what the selling point is for newer games. People don't play Bomberman 20 years later because of the graphics, they play because it's entertaining. There will always be a need for the large companies to make games like GTA IV, but I think it's equally important to have the smaller shops making more entertaining titles to keep people interested in video games overall.
< MG > Thanks again for taking the time with us Eric and sharing some of your insights and knowledge with me and the community. It is definitely appreciated and I can confidently say that we all found it to be very beneficial.
< EK > No problem. Glad to help out. Let me know if you have any follow up questions I can help you out with. Thanks!
As always, questions and comments are always welcomed. Inquiries that I am not able to answer I will forward to Eric for his assistance. This interview was not intended to be all inclusive based on time restraints on both of our ends. I do hope you found it as interesting as I did though.
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A
I glance up at the two ready-for-action commandos displayed on the title screen, hoping for some type of manly 'grunt' of acknowledgement for my efforts - I am awarded with nothing but silence. With apprehension I take a quick look down at the crumpled code page from Electronic Gamer straddling my lap. "Try pressing the 'Start' button after the code like we told you" the text lectured back to me. OK, point made. I proceed as directed and again wait patiently for what seemed to be an eternity (in reality it was about three seconds) for the magic to now happen.
Yahtzee!! I see my freedom fighter start off on level 1 with 30 lives instead of the rather measly, standard allotment of 3! Time to go dole out some pain and punishment to the heathens!!!
I can still vividly remember the extreme rush I felt when activating that legendary Konami cheat code while playing Contra on my Nintendo Entertainment System as described above. This article focuses on just that - extraordinary video gaming moments you will never forget. All gamers have experienced them, each being unique with different drivers.
As some of you may know, I am an old school gamer - literally. I had the pleasure of growing up during the advent of the video game console and have experienced first hand each new technological breakthrough in this arena. This doesn't make me an expert - far from it. It just means that I am old.
The following are just a few of my more memorable gaming moments that I remember to this day as though it just happened yesterday evening. Some describe the pure excitement derived from solving an exceptionally difficult levelboss to simply being blown away by the technology. I chose 'adrenaline' moments for each era, listed chronologically.
1975 - Atari PONG
A standard December gathering at my Uncle Glenn's home? Not! A steady stream from 'Aqualung' by Jethro Tull was the replacement for the more traditional, tranquil holiday offerings (much to my Grandmother Alice's dismay). The showstopper occurred when he fired up his newly acquired Atari PONG system. Though I was quite young, I remember being amazed by what I eventually saw on his 19" black and white television screen - PONG. The adults pretty much monopolized the gaming that evening, but my cousin Rob and I finally got our chance just before we had to leave. We basically stunk and it was a miracle when we could manage a total of three consecutive volleys. Still, it was pure joy and heaven for us.
1977 - Atari 2600 : Air-Sea Battle
My friend Steve (a.k.a. P-Man) was the first to have access to the new line of cartridge based systems - the Atari 2600. Drago (another neighborhood crony) and I were pumped about this and itching to play. Now Steve screwed up somehow on the home front very soon after this acquisition. He was not allowed to have any of us mates over at all for one entire month - plus the 2600 was off limits to him as well. Talk about cruel and unusual punishment! The day finally arrived when 'our' sentence was over and we could hunker down and experience this new technology. We were not disappointed. The graphics for us were astonishing and when the time counter started to blink in those last 16 seconds of the round - pure adrenaline!
1987 - Nintendo Entertainment System : Castlevania II Simon's Quest
This classic is either loved or hated by Castlevania fans. More of an RPG (role playing game) than the standard actionadventure fair the series is known for, tackling this game is not an easy task. One particularly frustrating section for me was being stuck in front of a death-inviting lake with no where to go. I starting chucking holy water and just about everything else I had in my sack into that cesspool to no avail. Trial and error button combinations were then deployed at this despised location. By a stroke of pure luck I finally issued the 'Kneel Down' command at the left hand side of this pool - a magical walkway under the raging current miraculously appeared! Thank the heavens for this since I was really getting sick of beating through those werewolves and goblins every time 'Day' turned into 'Night' (which seemed to happen every 4 minutes or so).
1992 - Nintendo Super Entertainment System : Super Star Wars
This game is extraordinarily difficult, to the point of being frustrating at times. One poorly timed jump and it was instant death for my Jedi hero. Thank goodness it contained one of the best Easter Eggs in the history of video games (in my humble opinion) - "The Cave of 99 Free Lukes". Following the directions as outlined in my Game Informer magazine, I bravely stepped off the specified cliff and furiously cranked on the Left directional button as my Padawan plummeted downward. At the last moment before it was 'goodbye Luke', I spotted the ledge to the secret cave entrance, barely making it to safe ground. I would not be disappointed. With proton blaster in hand, I unleashed the weapon's fury into the blank recesses of this grotto and 'Free Lukes' starting appearing everywhere!! To this very day that is one of the best rushes I have ever had.
1994 - Panasonic 3DO : Shock Wave
I admit it - I was the first in line at my local Electronics Boutique to buy this system for $699 upon its launch back in 1993. Not a good move, I know. But when I first fired up Shock Wave, I was completely blown away! Yes, FMV (Full Motion Video) had already been introduced in earlier systems, but the Panasonic 3DO did take it to the next level back in the day. The intro alone was impressive, making me feel like I was the star protagonist in an actual movie. When my star fighter absorbed its first 'neon-green proton' hit, my squad Commander promptly appeared in my HUD (Heads Up Display) and barked at me "This is not a game Lieutenant!!". At that point I was hooked. (Side note: Does anyone else think that Commander was kind of hot?)
1994 - Panasonic 3DO : Out of this World
Though I did not want to include two 3DO games in this listing, I would be remiss if I did not include this experience in this article. From the moment the artistic polygon animations were displayed in the intro, I was roped in. In gaming sessions with my buddies Drago and Cola, we collectively beat through this game until we hit the wall. Our Lester, in a prone position, was presented in a domed room and was subjected to an almost instantaneously electrocution. Almost two hours later, despite all the running, blaster fire, throwing up force fields, etc. we were still getting fried in this room of pain. Cola's turn was up and we were prepared for more of the same, except Drago uttered two words in an almost inquisitive voice - "crawl backwards". Yessss!! Our Lester finally avoided the lethal charge and was gratefully free to exit from this living hell.
1996 - Sony Playstation : King's Field
I admit to being somewhat of a fanboy of this series, but this game truly rocks. The Playstation has been recently released in the US and King's Field was one of the first to exploit the true power of this fledgling console. Upon firing up this FP (First Person) RPG game I was greeted with dark, ominous music that appropriately set the tone for my upcoming adventure. After a so-so intro the screen fades from black to reveal the brooding island that I have been shipwrecked upon. I was amazed as I maneuvered my viewpoint to check out my local surroundings. This was one of my first experiences with FP technology (to this degree) and I have been a fan ever since. This was truly a treat for all of my senses, right up until the point where I took my first three steps and plunged to my death in the icy cold waters of Melanat.
2001 - Sony Playstation 2 : Grand Theft Auto III
Everyone knows this game so I won't spend any time prefacing this classic. Sure, I had run over old ladies with walkers in Road Rash and had my share fair of fun decapitating foes in Mortal Kombat, but this was nothing compared to the mayhem that awaited me in Grand Theft Auto III. Sniping innocent civilians was a blast, but what I remember most was being astonished by the size of the gaming arena known as Liberty City - it was HUGE and mine to exploreexploit as I saw fit. Thank goodness I enjoy this explorative aspect of video gaming since I frequently found myself completely lost in this sprawling city navigating my 'Stallion' without any real type of plan. (I do admit that my favorite part of this game is still taking off the limbs of pedestrians with my Sniper rifle.)
2006 - Microsoft Xbox 360 : The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
From the very moment I was able to control my paladin in the dark dungeon recesses at the very onset of this game, pure ecstasy is the only way I can describe it. Though I rather prefer the surreal atmosphere of its predecessor (Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind) to the 'Sound of Music' environment now presented to me, I can't help but to find myself almost being able to smell the dandelions as I make my way through the foothills of Cyrodiil. Now this is what 'Next Gen' is all about!
The preceding blurbs depict just a few of my most prized gaming experiences and recollections. As stated earlier, the trigger to these can be almost anything - success with a cheat code, the thrill at dispelling a nasty Boss to even your combatant's demise during an online session of Halo. The drivers change from individual to individual. There is one commonalty though - let these gems keep on happening!
I was surfing the tube the other evening and happened across an episode of Madden Nation. Though not particularly foreign to me, I can't fully admit that I had ever sat through any given episode in this series for more than five consecutive minutes. Television offerings were extremely weak that night - Clean House Comes Clean did have its appeal, but ESPN ended up winning my viewing time. In hindsight, "Trish the Yard Sale Diva" and crew would have probably been a more entertaining choice (just for the pure eye candy). Madden Nation was more enlightening for me, and in a way I did not expect.
Being a huge Madden fan since back in the days of the Sega Genesis, I was a bit intrigued in seeing the new generation of footballers duke it out on TV in this latest rendition. I was thoroughly impressed by the skill and complex button combinations utilized to deftly guide their respective team across the digital gridiron. But as much as I was in awe of these adept performances, I was similarly disgusted with the amount of showboating, trash talk and other equally tasteless behavior exhibited by the majority of the participants. I am all about poking some fun as well as personally being the punch line, but these guys just had no class whatsoever. This was not so back in the day. For example...
As you probably know, I am an old school gamer and began my gaming 'career' back in the 70's. My buddy Dragas would shoot over little Marriott_Guys house to huddle around a 13" color television to play a game of Football on my parents newly acquired Texas Instruments TI-99 4A. Now this is as basic as you can get in a football game - a choice of 4 plays on offense and 4 for the defenders. Once your 'rock-paper-scissors' selection is made, you are basically at the mercy of the CPU. While on defense and Drago in a 3rd and 3 situation from his own 14 yard line, I locked into my "Goal Line Stand" formation. I stole a look at him, hoping to get some sort of read on his play selection. By the glint in his eyes I knew I was probably screwed. There are two dreaded words that no one wants to hear while in my current defensive alignment - I was pretty sure those were about to beat on my eardrums. My friend did not disappoint. He sucked in some air and in his best Froggie voice impression uttered those feared words - "The Bomb". All I could do is laugh and sit back and watch the beating unfold. A high-five would eventually come his way 22 seconds later once his football helmet sprite finally crossed into the end zone (this system was slow!). Gamesmanship was always a part of the equation for us and is until this day.
The players on this specific episode of Madden Nation really displayed nothing even close to sportsmanship. Maybe being in front of the camera drove their need to posture to their crew back home. Maybe these guys are asses in real life and slept through life's lesson in humility. Who knows. The over-the-top, ratings-driven antics by these clowns are undoubtedly condoned, possibly even orchestrated, by the ESPN producers of this show. Whatever the case, I would like to assume this is not a fair representation of today's gamer. Maybe I am wrong.
All I can say is this - if I didn't know why I had never before made it through an installment in this series, now I do. Those blowhards were not worth my time. Yes, shame on me choosing to watch it for that 30 minute interval. Shame on ESPN for showing the absolute worst behavior of gamers.
The following exert was written a few days ago. To be honest, it was more of a personal journal type of entry rather than a full fledged blog post. For those that know me, sharing something like this is extremely out of character for me. I ask you to bear with me - pointed insights are forthcoming.
This afternoon I experienced the rare occasion where the appointment with my local physician started promptly and ended earlier than expected. This extra free time that has been afforded to me was a pleasant surprise to be honest - professional demands on me have been intense as of late. What will I do with this unexpected windfall?
There is really not enough snow for skiing so that is not an option for the new opening on my schedule. This is a probably a godsend in disguise since my slaloming (tumbling) down a snow-mud mountain (hill) would do little to help evict the killer cold currently residing within my lungs. With that alternative off the table, I turn my attention to my true passion - video gaming. The decision is made. I brew up a steaming hot pot of lemonade-infused tea (I am currently out of the 'Real' lemon juice) and sit down at my PC to write a gaming blog. I am all set and ready to go! Except...
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The blank page and blinking cursor of Microsoft Word now stares back at me without mercy, expecting some sort of creative genius to emerge from my fingers and appear on its empty canvas. "Darn... it has been a while." I say to myself while being directly confronted with the fact that I had not written anything in quite a while. This 'vacation' of sorts has left me feeling a bit empty in a way I can not fully explain nor identify. Most of my 'hobby' time has been devoted to coding web pages - writing articles and blog posts unfortunately has almost become a distant memory.
What have I become? At the time of the experience described above, I was struggling quite a bit while composing a new system review with the unexpected free time I had on that day. Let me beat you to the punch: "You experienced writer's block when trying to compile your standard hardware reviews that are rather technical and not necessarily creative??" Believe it or not, yes I did. Though not entirely artistic in a literary sense, they do take a great deal of planning and thought (at least for me). I reread this introspection and thought that sharing it as part of an article might provide some beneficial insight of a website administrator - me being the protagonist in this case.
As some of you may know, I have recently created and developed a fledgling website. Though I am extremely happy with the progress that has been made, I need to be directly candid with you - being a webmaster is not an easy task and does take a tremendous amount of time. The maintenance and developmental aspects of a website is very time consuming, especially with the limited technical resources that I possess. From my first hand perspective, the amount of focus on coding has taken precedence over what truly makes me happy - video game hardware and sharing my experiences with my fellow gaming aficionados (you).
A friend of mine, whom I respect a great deal, stated the following in a completely unrelated email: "...it's much more satisfying to step back and appraise one's own work and be proud of it when it has a certain formality and thoroughness about it." This rang eerily true and caused me to take a step back and reflect.
My true love is for gaming hardware and sharing the knowledge that I have acquired through the years (40 year old gamer here). My hope is that you find the articles that result from this passion of mine to be informative, beneficial and somewhat entertaining. I do not profess to be the greatest writer in the world - a public rating of 'mediocre' would be welcomed at this point in my 'pseudo' career. But as my friend pointed out, it is critical to be personally happy with the finished product, and what you are doing.
I think I have answered the internal question that I initially posed to myself in the prologue of this article - "What have I become?"
I am an average joe that loves video games - hardware and software. The sharing of information and communicating with others on our mutual passion makes me happy. I know the coding and technical aspects of running a video gaming site are necessary to accomplish this. I need to be a better juggler at times and not stray from my true love and personal callings. This brings me to my main point.
What I have learned through the writing of this editorial of mine is that I truly enjoy communicating to you as a reader - this is my true goal a webmaster. I feel safe in saying all site administrators feel the same but at times the technical demands of running our respective websites can be overwhelming. Rest assured that all are committed to providing the best platform to deliver relevant information and 'good reads' to our communities. The graitude that is felt for you as a community member can not be expressed in words - your patience, understanding and continued loyalty is the best gift one could ever receive. Santa truly delivered - the pleasant surpise of your unexpected gift.
Best regards during this holiday season to you and your families.
You have stumbled upon my little piece of the RFG universe where you will find my published articles and various other writings / rantings. Having first hand experience through the evolution of the video gaming field (fancy way of me just telling you that I am old), the topics vary greatly.
Everyone is very familiar with the term Holy Grail - we see it utilized in auctions and being bandied about in user forums like a birdie during a badminton match. At times we may not agree with the assessment as we deem the item 'not worthy' of this high compliment. In all honesty, this is truly a very subjective arena and really comes down to whatever your heart is fixated upon. That being said, this collector posed the very simple question to myself: How does a video game system truly merit the lofty title of being a Holy Grail? 
A standard December gathering at my Uncle Glenn's home? Not! A steady stream from 'Aqualung' by Jethro Tull was the replacement for the more traditional, tranquil holiday offerings (much to my Grandmother Alice's dismay). The showstopper occurred when he fired up his newly acquired Atari PONG system. Though I was quite young, I remember being amazed by what I eventually saw on his 19" black and white television screen - PONG. The adults pretty much monopolized the gaming that evening, but my cousin Rob and I finally got our chance just before we had to leave. We basically stunk and it was a miracle when we could manage a total of three consecutive volleys. Still, it was pure joy and heaven for us.
My friend Steve (a.k.a. P-Man) was the first to have access to the new line of cartridge based systems - the Atari 2600. Drago (another neighborhood crony) and I were pumped about this and itching to play. Now Steve screwed up somehow on the home front very soon after this acquisition. He was not allowed to have any of us mates over at all for one entire month - plus the 2600 was off limits to him as well. Talk about cruel and unusual punishment! The day finally arrived when 'our' sentence was over and we could hunker down and experience this new technology. We were not disappointed. The graphics for us were astonishing and when the time counter started to blink in those last 16 seconds of the round - pure adrenaline!
This classic is either loved or hated by Castlevania fans. More of an RPG (role playing game) than the standard actionadventure fair the series is known for, tackling this game is not an easy task. One particularly frustrating section for me was being stuck in front of a death-inviting lake with no where to go. I starting chucking holy water and just about everything else I had in my sack into that cesspool to no avail. Trial and error button combinations were then deployed at this despised location. By a stroke of pure luck I finally issued the 'Kneel Down' command at the left hand side of this pool - a magical walkway under the raging current miraculously appeared! Thank the heavens for this since I was really getting sick of beating through those werewolves and goblins every time 'Day' turned into 'Night' (which seemed to happen every 4 minutes or so).
This game is extraordinarily difficult, to the point of being frustrating at times. One poorly timed jump and it was instant death for my Jedi hero. Thank goodness it contained one of the best Easter Eggs in the history of video games (in my humble opinion) - "The Cave of 99 Free Lukes". Following the directions as outlined in my Game Informer magazine, I bravely stepped off the specified cliff and furiously cranked on the Left directional button as my Padawan plummeted downward. At the last moment before it was 'goodbye Luke', I spotted the ledge to the secret cave entrance, barely making it to safe ground. I would not be disappointed. With proton blaster in hand, I unleashed the weapon's fury into the blank recesses of this grotto and 'Free Lukes' starting appearing everywhere!! To this very day that is one of the best rushes I have ever had. 
I admit it - I was the first in line at my local Electronics Boutique to buy this system for $699 upon its launch back in 1993. Not a good move, I know. But when I first fired up Shock Wave, I was completely blown away! Yes, FMV (Full Motion Video) had already been introduced in earlier systems, but the Panasonic 3DO did take it to the next level back in the day. The intro alone was impressive, making me feel like I was the star protagonist in an actual movie. When my star fighter absorbed its first 'neon-green proton' hit, my squad Commander promptly appeared in my HUD (Heads Up Display) and barked at me "This is not a game Lieutenant!!". At that point I was hooked. (Side note: Does anyone else think that Commander was kind of hot?)
Though I did not want to include two 3DO games in this listing, I would be remiss if I did not include this experience in this article. From the moment the artistic polygon animations were displayed in the intro, I was roped in. In gaming sessions with my buddies Drago and Cola, we collectively beat through this game until we hit the wall. Our Lester, in a prone position, was presented in a domed room and was subjected to an almost instantaneously electrocution. Almost two hours later, despite all the running, blaster fire, throwing up force fields, etc. we were still getting fried in this room of pain. Cola's turn was up and we were prepared for more of the same, except Drago uttered two words in an almost inquisitive voice - "crawl backwards". Yessss!! Our Lester finally avoided the lethal charge and was gratefully free to exit from this living hell. 
I admit to being somewhat of a fanboy of this series, but this game truly rocks. The Playstation has been recently released in the US and King's Field was one of the first to exploit the true power of this fledgling console. Upon firing up this FP (First Person) RPG game I was greeted with dark, ominous music that appropriately set the tone for my upcoming adventure. After a so-so intro the screen fades from black to reveal the brooding island that I have been shipwrecked upon. I was amazed as I maneuvered my viewpoint to check out my local surroundings. This was one of my first experiences with FP technology (to this degree) and I have been a fan ever since. This was truly a treat for all of my senses, right up until the point where I took my first three steps and plunged to my death in the icy cold waters of Melanat.
Everyone knows this game so I won't spend any time prefacing this classic. Sure, I had run over old ladies with walkers in Road Rash and had my share fair of fun decapitating foes in Mortal Kombat, but this was nothing compared to the mayhem that awaited me in Grand Theft Auto III. Sniping innocent civilians was a blast, but what I remember most was being astonished by the size of the gaming arena known as Liberty City - it was HUGE and mine to exploreexploit as I saw fit. Thank goodness I enjoy this explorative aspect of video gaming since I frequently found myself completely lost in this sprawling city navigating my 'Stallion' without any real type of plan. (I do admit that my favorite part of this game is still taking off the limbs of pedestrians with my Sniper rifle.)
From the very moment I was able to control my paladin in the dark dungeon recesses at the very onset of this game, pure ecstasy is the only way I can describe it. Though I rather prefer the surreal atmosphere of its predecessor (Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind) to the 'Sound of Music' environment now presented to me, I can't help but to find myself almost being able to smell the dandelions as I make my way through the foothills of Cyrodiil. Now this is what 'Next Gen' is all about!
