Archive for January, 2008

20 January, 2008 | 3 comments

pure wisdom from the master

Sherlock Holmes: Another Bow is my favorite game–ever.  If you haven’t tried it, you simply must (click here to download).  It’s a text-based adventure (with pictures) and an amazing plot.  6 mini-mysteries that all tie into the larger, 7th mystery.  Wicked.

This game taught us so much–not only did it naturally inspire our desire to learn about famous historic characters (although this is NOT an educational title, everyone from Houdini to famous presidents are in this game and when you’re young, you do believe that knowing about the characters helps solve the mystery), but it opened up our thinking to outside possibilities.  Where are you going to find a world where you can “punch” anyone!?  Awesome.  I’ve always loved the power of thinking outside of the box, and this game first opened up that possibility to me (followed shortly thereafter by ZORK I).

Much love goes out to this title, one of the greatest games ever (greatest, in my humble opinion).

20 January, 2008 | 4 comments

Rygar: Persistence

“Never in my days have I completed Rygar.” I bet this statement rests on the tongues of twenty-somethings everywhere. What I believe is truly amazing, however, is that no one has ever given up on it. I speak for all of us when I say that one day we will defeat Rygar.

It’s been voted both one of the best and one of the worst video games ever. I question the source, each time, of course. Rygar is legendary. Horrible, at times, and wonderful, too. I liken it to true love–through hell and back is the only way you truly know you love someone. I love Rygar.

This cart was designed without a battery (so no saves were possible) and without codes (so you couldn’t jump in anywhere but at the beginning). One had to sit and play Rygar from beginning to end. The fun part, however, came once you realized that no man on Earth could sit and play this game through in one sitting. Sure, someone probably could now–but that’s ONLY because they took half of their childhood to beat it the first time. What did this mean? Well, like a fool, it meant that you tried and tried again. You never gave up–you STILL haven’t given up now! Someday, yes, you will beat Rygar. It’s on everyone’s list of things to do before they die. How can not be?

My favorite memories where when, after eight or nine hours of gameplay, dad would come and shut off the machine. He had no idea what game I was playing–I think he saw video games like a dog watches television (he doesn’t). Fine. But then mom would come in and tell me I could play for another hour or two, if I wanted. THANKS.

Here’s to Rygar, one hell of a game that I SWEAR I will someday overcome. Oh, and if you want to play it… try this out (I am NOT affiliated with any company what-so-ever, but I’ll try to find places you can go and play these games and share them with everyone).

15 January, 2008 | 2 comments

Super Mario Brothers: the king should eat first

i couldn’t even dare start a homage to the greatest video games in the world without starting off with the first screen of the first game i ever owned. . .

in all of our lives, we’ve grown up entirely different than all of history. we’re the “plugged in” generation, growing and devouring anything electronic. it blows our minds that our parents cannot even check their email. what’s most intriguing, to me, is that for so many years we were continually in a war: video games vs. adults. wow. but you know what? we were right. after all this time, we were the ones who knew we weren’t wasting our time. we were learning lessons you couldn’t teach otherwise.

and so it goes, enter: SUPER MARIO BROTHERS. from that moment on, life was never the same. to this day, you can still play the super mario brothers music for anyone who remembers and simply watch the room relax. why are we the generation known as the pill poppers? i don’t think we need any anti-anxiety medication, just a good pair of headphones and a nintendo soundtrack. more recognizable than even christmas music? yep.

here’s a game built around the concept of a plumber who saves a princess (the programmers may have been doing drugs at the time). all the while facing baddies and dangerous jumps (truthfully, i’ve not traversed anywhere in the real world with a jump like you’d find in world 8-1…but maybe someday), swimming, fire-breathing turtles, etc. oh, and the hammer brothers. what a name. yes, my friends, we learned that, in the end, taking the shortcut (warps) was a great way to impress friends, but you always left feeling empty. to the game that reminds us to sometimes take the long road, …