Confessions of a Gamer
By Shasta
I remember my first computer and first video game console. I grew up in the 80s and hit the tech boom from the beginnings. My first computer was a Tandy that plugged into the TV. It had no hard drive and you had to program everything you wanted to do first in basic. My first console was an Atari. Soon after I got an AT&T desktop, with 4 color CGA graphics and my first PC game. I was soon addicted.
I have been through them all. From Atari to Playstation consoles. They all have their own quirks and their own set of games. Some have been better than others. I have also had some of the rarer systems. Turbo Graphix 16 was one of the better 16 bit systems in my opinion. I also loved the Dreamcast more than the PS2 or Xbox.
Nintendo has always been a mainstay of the industry. The biggest problem with them lately is that most of thier systems have been geared towards the younger crowd. As a semi serious gamer, I never really wanted a Nintendo system since the 64. The only reason I liked the 64 was the 007 game. Seemed at the time that everybody had it and It was the “it” game of its time, and It was extremely fun.
Fast forward to 2008. Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 are the serious platforms of the day. Most of the biggest games are generally found on either of these platforms. You can find some of the guitar games on every system, but I am not a big fan. I had never played the Wii before this past weekend, I just didnt think it was worth the time.
I found myself in a room full of friends swinging wildly playing Wii Sports. The animation looks like Lego men playing the games. Not what I would consider top end graphics. I don’t remember the sound, It may not have been all that good. But the thing I took away from the experience is that the Wii might possibly be the most fun I have ever had playing a video game. Sure I have spent countless hours playing Madden or some of the great games in my memory, such as Metal Gear Solid. None of those games have ever been as fun an experience in my memory. It was not high end graphics or complicated movie style story line, just plain simple fun.
I don’t currently keep up with the industries newest systems. I have been waiting for prices to drop before I buy into the latest generation of systems. Since most games these days can be played on the PC as well, I really don’t see the need yet. However, I know have an even tougher decision to make when I do decide to jump up to the current generation. I had not even considered the Wii before. Playstation 3 was at the top of my list due to the blueray, and the fact that they seem to last longer than the Xbox systems. Now I think the Wii may also be atop the list.
