Old School Gaming vs New School Gamers

Watch the video above or else this won't make any sense. Here we go. I know that no matter what, you're going to hate the generation that comes after you. I am in that weird position where technically, I'm the start of Generation Y aka the computer generation, but I identify so much more with Generation X simply because I liked the music, the movies, and most importantly, I didn't grow up with a computer. I have full understanding of what the world is like without Internet, personal computers, or cable television. Growing up, we played outside and used our imaginations. Ideas just didn't come out of nowhere, they were conceptualized, molded, and perfected. Today, ideas are googled, downloaded, and plagiarized.

The two problems with this video was that this kid was born in the wrong generation and he's trying to be someone else while holding on to his own identity. It's very obvious that he's trying to be the "Angry Video Game Nerd" from YouTube. He's had much success with his video reviews and with success comes emulators from across the land. I mean he even calls himself "The Angry Video Game Nerd XD." Maybe it's because I'm an old fart, but I don't know what the fuck "XD" means. "X" used to mean "X-treme." So what's the "D" for? Anyway, he's not really angry. Maybe frustrated, but more than anything, he's feigning anger. He wants to be the Angry Video Game Nerd. That's only the minor part of the problem.

Old School Gaming tested more than hand-eye coordination. It tested patience. Any person who grew up with Atari, NES, or even SNES will tell you. Sometimes you have to sit back and let the fireball pass you before you can move on. I love video games, including more recent games, but they're incredibly easy. All you have to do is run through a level, head-first, and there you have it. With older systems, especially NES, you have to be patient. If you run head first towards the end, you will die and have to start from the beginning. And the reward wasn't an achievement or unlocking a new way to play the game. The reward for beating the game was a picture saying "congratulations" and the feeling of accomplishment. My favorite part of this video, which really proves my patience point, is take a minute or two to watch him play the game. He dashes through this game... and dies... and dies... and dies again. The game isn't hard. Just shoot the guys shooting you and jump over obstacles. And the reason there isn't a health bar is because a health bar makes the game easier. Games are supposed to be challenging. If games weren't challenging, it would be called "temp work."

Sure, even though I feel the older generation deals with challenging situations a little more patiently, we still get frustrated. I was playing Ducktails the other night for NES, one of my favorite games. And while I could make it through a chunk of the game with no problem, I couldn't beat the final boss. I died and died and died and died. That's why NES and SNES  controllers can take a licking and keep on ticking. They were meant to be tossed in anger. I dare you to chuck a 360 controller across the room. You'll be out of a controller, a window, due to the fact wireless controllers go far, and by go far, I mean out/through your window, and $50.


The problem isn't his opinion, which is pretty off, it's the fact the game wasn't meant for him. It was meant for people who want a challenge with a dash of fun. That's what gaming used to be about. Yeah, the graphics aren't revolutionary, the game play is strenuous, and the music (which I still think is awesome) isn't... no fuck that, the music is awesome. NES/Contra was simple with a lot of heart. It also made youo learn cheat codes... the Konami Code to be exact. But nowadays, if you can't take the heat, film a video review.... or write a blog.