This stroll down memory lane has been a joy to write. It got me thinking about so many different “What ifs?” It also made me wish that I’d left my wallet at home on an occasion or two.
I thought I’d close with just a few reflections on my gaming life.
First which systems have I owned?
Atari 2600, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Sega CD, Turbo Graphics 16, Atari Jaguar, 3DO, Sega Saturn, Sony Playstation, Playstation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Playtation 3, Nintendo Game cube, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox One S, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One X, PS4 Pro.
Which systems do I regret buying?
The 3DO was the biggest bust. It had a few great games but the cost of entry at $599 when the other guys were selling for $150… Ugh! The Wii U was also a bad decision. It didn’t get the game support it needed and developers didn’t know what to do with the second screen. The Sega CD. It had only 3 or 4 good games. It primarily was used to add Video footage into games. They were all terrible. Lethal Enforcers and Sonic CD were great games though.
Which systems do I believe deserved a better shot?
The Jaguar never got the break it deserved. It was an incredibly powerful system that had a tonne of promise. If Atari could have played on the 2600 nostalgia a little more and delivered the CD-ROM add on as scheduled… Things might have been different for the Jag. Oh and maybe a “fighting game” style controller… The original controllers needed to go!
Which system do I look back on with the most fondness?
It’s a tie. The Genesis and Super Nintendo take the crown. For the first time I had both competing systems and could play any game I wanted. I spent hours with the NHL series on Genesis and Street Fighter II on Super Nintendo.
Who would I like to see get into the console business?
For a long time I thought Apple could take a second run at the console business. (That’s right … second run. Go Google it folks!) Today though I don’t think they’d be a good fit. Apple lacks commitment to the gaming industry and would probably charge WAY too much for the hardware and software. I’m not into paying $1300 for the Gamesystem Xs Max or whatever they would call it.
I think Sega should make a return to the console space. They have so many great franchises to fall back on. They just don’t get the love they need on third party hardware. Maybe Nintendo and Sega could join forces?
Is there a future in the console business?
There are some respected people in the business suggesting that the ride is almost over. The upcoming round of consoles (PS5? and Xbox Two??) could be the last. That would be a sad day for me to say the least. Games on mobile devices are where the money is at now. People carry their phones everywhere and want to be able to play where they want, when they want.
I personally enjoy the “big screen” experience myself. Games on a mobile device are fun in chunks but lack the immersion of the “full size” product.
Will Virtual Reality finally take off?
I’ve watched VR evolve from its early form in the 1980’s to the current crop of VR products. I firmly believe there are applications for VR but that the living room isn’t one of them.
Have you ever totaled up all the money you’ve spent on gaming over the years?
No. No I haven’t. I think that I would probably cry. It’s a hobby though and everyone needs a hobby. Gaming has given me so many wonderful experiences. It feeds my love of technology. Gaming has become so much a part of popular culture. I don’t regret the time or the money that I’ve spent.
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