Good morning Retro Gamers!
I am back with Retro Game Weekly! I decided for 2023 I wanted to diversify my bonds (RIP ODB) and spread out my retro gaming content beyond TikTok. Making short form videos is fun, but I also enjoy writing and creating/taking pictures for the gram. On top of that I’d like to build up this newsletter & my Instagram to where I don’t have to rely on the TikTok algorithm. So without further ado here is your new edition of Retro Game Weekly!
Why I Sold My Cartridge Collection
So recently I decided to trade in all of my NES, SNES, Genesis, and N64 collection to my local gaming store. The responses I got ranged from complete shock (my wife) to people telling me in the comments of my video that I made a not so smart decision. To be honest I never thought I’d get rid of anything in my collection ever but I came to a crossroads where I asked myself “Why am I collecting these games?” and I couldn’t think of a reason. Now don’t get me wrong I loved all of those games. But truth be told I didn’t play much of the cartridge era growing up (besides the heavy hitters of the era that everyone else played), so there wasn’t a lot of sentimental value in having them. And collecting the anything from the 8 bit-64 bit era can put a sizeable dent in anyone’s wallet.
So I decided to switch to emulation and figured a one time $200-$300 purchase to play every game each of these systems has to offer was better than spending way more than that in the long run collecting them (and probably only playing them 1-2 times if that). Plus opening my eyes to the world of emulation along with hacks is something I’m really looking forward too!
Don’t get me wrong I’m still going to collect games that I may never play as long as I own them. Now I’m laser focused in on collecting every PS1-PS3 game released in North America!
Worst 5 Games In My Collection
On the heels of writing about how I’ll probably buy some games and never play them, here’s 5 games in my collection I wish I never did!
ESPN Track & Field
Now here’s a game that just absolutely stinks out loud. Like that silent far that you let out in algebra class that while quiet in release ended up being death metal loud with its rancid smell. This game is visually stunning for the time but the gameplay in my opinion was not very user friendly. This game is great to play if you have a wall you want to throw a controller at every time you fault or lose a race (which will be frequent).
Gravity Games Bike: Street Vert Dirt
Midway was chastised for releasing this game in a unfinished and broken form. If only they waited 20 years to release this game when that is considered the norm. For me when it comes to action sports games I could care less about the visuals, it’s all about the controls for me. And Gravity Games Bike does not have good controls. With an unfinished final product and horrible controls this game is one of the WORST on the PS2.
Showdown Legends of Wrestling
I remember being so amped up for the release of Showdown: Legends of Wrestling. Reuniting the WCW commentary team, adding Sting and the Ultimate Warrior to an already stacked roster. What could go wrong? Everything. The commentary ended up being a complete repetitive dumpster fire, glitches galore, and of course being made by Acclaim. Acclaim was to wrestling games what EA Sports is to Madden now. You knew the games wouldn’t be great but you kept getting suckered into buying them after being showered with promises of awesome new features.
The Sopranos: Road To Respect
Taking an acclaimed series and giving yourself the impossible task of making an acclaimed video game companion is a recipe for disaster. If I were a video game company back in the mid 00’s I’m asking for the video game rights to sitcoms like Joey and Cavemen not the most acclaimed show on TV at the time. This game isn’t as bad as the other 3. But as previously stated they set the bar so high by attaching The Sopranos to the project. A pro of this game was the story isn’t too bad and the whole cast from the show was involved with the game. A con is the dialogue lacks any of the charm or wits of the series and again it cuts its own legs out from under them because of this.
On The Tube
If you’re bored this weekend here’s some retro gaming video content from YouTube!
616 Entertainment has some create documentaries and full gameplay videos and this Smackdown Vs Raw full season mode video is no different! Great for any fans of the mid 2000’s wrestling video games!
Sega Lord X is probably my favorite retro game YouTuber. 99% of his content is from an era I didn’t grow up in or am familiar with, but his knowledge of everything SEGA and the way he presents it helps SEGA casuals like myself learn more about the era.
PatmanQC is another gaming historian that helps me learn more about the games of yester-year. His occasional punny jokes keep the mood light and help his videos fly on by when watching them. PatmanQC will also reach out to the people who worked on the games he’s covering to get even more behind the scenes content which for someone like me who enjoys all the inner workings of video games is a HUGE plus.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Retro Game Weekly! As I find my footing more and get back in the groove of writing I’ll add more.
Until then have a great weekend Retro Gamers!
Chavy