Cukeman Talks Games
So, a little bit about me! Like most Millennials, I’m the generation that grew up with games as they evolved to what they are now. Yes, there were the PC Disc based games and Amiga etc, however I feel the first Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Master System propelled gaming into mainstream culture.
From there I was then given my first handheld game, the Nintendo Game & Watch. Specifically Donkey Kong.
Games back then were incredibly simple. The only objective of this game was to jump over snapping crocodiles, climb to the top and knock down Donkey Kong. Rinse and repeat. The more loops you do, the harder and faster it got. The only real goal was to get a high score and keep trying to beat your personal best. Essentially many early games started out that way. Arcades were about beating other people’s records and having the bragging rights. Though you were limited generally to 3 or 4 characters so most people put ‘DIC’ or ‘COC’.
My first home console was the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) with Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt. Now I had a controller in my hand and more time to play (without paying!) I could practice more at Mario Bros. and I finally got past World 1-2!
I can’t remember completing the first game until I was older. I was a latecomer to owning a NES so by the time I got one it wasn’t long until I got Super Mario Bros. 3. This game CHANGED MY LIFE! It was amazing, and still is! Easily one of the best platforming games ever made.
Amazing level design, crazy variety in worlds and an array of power ups. The Hammer Bros. suit was criminally rare! I have many fond memories of my NES and there were many other games that occupied my childhood; Marble Madness, Snake, Rattle N Roll, Micro Machines and TMNT to name but a few.
My next console was the Sega Megadrive. Move over cutesy games like Mario and Zelda, in comes Streets of Rage and Golden Axe. I remember vividly my parents sheer terror when they walked in to see me wrapping a pipe around someone’s head in Streets of Rage. Neither they, or me, had realised how graphic and adult games had become in a very short space of time.
I feel this was Sega’s Golden era which, in my view, they never really claimed back through their later consoles. However they have continued to make some amazing first party and collaborative games without a console.
The next era for me was Nintendo Gamecube.
It’s fair to say the Playstation 2 won out in the battle against the Gamecube however, for me, it established the modern versions of most of Nintendo’s IPs. Metroid Prime Trilogy, Zelda Wind Waker & Twilight Princess, Mario Kart Double Dash, Super Smash Bros. and many more. I most likely have invested more of my time into multiplayer Smash Bros on this console than any other.
Sure it had a weird console design with the weird handle to carry it around (apparently but who did that) and the unique mini discs but I feel this is one of Nintendo’s best consoles. My Gamecube game collection was the biggest at the time, moreso than any other of my previous consoles. Though that might be more due to the fact I had my own income at the time so could buy whatever interested me!
To date my favourite games console and biggest library is the Xbox 360.
The first real foray into console online gaming. Not only did it offer a pretty seamless multiplayer experience, it came with an amazing lineup of games. The Halo series, Battlefield, Left 4 Dead to name a few. I have really fond memories of the latter. Me and 3 mates tackling hordes of Zombies, getting thrashed around by tanks and alerting Witches. Good times.
Modern day consoles don’t feel particularly ‘generational’ any more with consoles receiving upgrades during their life cycle. For example Xbox One upgrading to Xbox One X then Xbox Series X and Xbox Series X (I mean..what?) Needless to say I own a Series X. I also own a Nintendo Switch, both are fantastic consoles in their own right.
So here I am, I still consider myself a modern gamer and my passion has never died. It’ll always be one of my main interests and I hope to share with you my thoughts on games, past and present, within these pages! Peace out!
