I have always referred to H.E.R.O. as my favorite Atari 2600 game. It's a game I had as a child and have often hailed its theme and gameplay as masterful. But one little thing had always bothered me about H.E.R.O. - I had never beaten it! Going back and finally mastering games I played as a kid has become quite the adventure for me. There's something dramatically satisfying about combining the nostalgia driven experience of replaying a game from childhood with the brand new experience of finally beating it. It's like creating a portal between two worlds; like somehow magically connecting my past with the present. And it's a really special thing when there happens to be a game that you tout as your favorite, but still haven't completed yet. The list of games that fall into this category is obviously finite, and I cherish the opportunities that I have to venture into that realm and overcome a challenge that has eluded me for decades. In fact, I cherish them so much that I like to document them. Here is my three part video series where I put on my laser helmet, strap on my Prop-Pack, and attempt to finally save all of the trapped miners in my favorite Atari game of all time.
One of the things I love the most about my retro gaming hobby is feeling the waves of nostalgia rush over me like a surge of whimsical adrenaline when I play a game that I adored from my childhood. Being swept back to a time that was safe, happy and innocent is an addictive pleasure of mine; it is one of my defining characteristics and is my preferred form of escapism. More so than movies or toys from my youth, video games have always potently stimulated that magical feeling in me.
For obvious reasons, a typical child from the 80s didn't have every video game released for his or her favorite console. In fact, most kids would only ever play a small fraction of the hundreds and hundreds of games that may have been produced for a particular system. Admittedly, speaking specifically of the NES, I had a pretty healthy collection and experienced most of the more popular franchises from the 8 bit era. Contra, Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania... yeah, I had all those. And not only did I have them, I beat them. You see, I was the type of gamer who would usually only play one game at a time until I beat it, and then move on to the next. I would cherish the games I beat like trophies, and often revisit them and experience them in different ways or explore new areas. Needless to say, this method of playing my games was, in part, what fueled the intimacy and fondness I have for them today.
Anyone in the RF Generation community, or anyone even remotely familiar with 80s pop culture is sure to have heard of an Atari game called Pitfall!. You know, Its the one where you swing on a vine over the alligators. The one that makes that funny sound when you touch the logs... the game that made David Crane a household name. Yes, Im sure you have all heard of Pitfall!. But did you know that you could beat it? Well, I sure didnt, until recently that is.
In Episode 9, Duke recovers the memory of his comic book collection from his childhood and attempts to repair yet another time fragment. He discusses the themes, the artwork, and even the advertisements. There’s enough 80’s nostalgia in this episode to satisfy even the most die hard 80s fan!
In episode #7, Duke and 9T-AT attempt to repair another time fragment as they discuss live action super hero shows of the past. Enjoy the Season 1 finale!
Another episode of Stuck in the 80's means another chance to dive into some awesome 80's themed nostalgia, this time it's all about Halloween! Will Duke be able to repair enough time fragments to get back to his own time? Put it on Channel 3 to find out!
After a brief Chicago vacation, Duke is back repairing time fragments. This time, it's the lovable, 80s phenomenon the View Master. What memories will this blast from the past unlock? Watch and find out!
See if Duke and his special guest from the present, Chris Roberts can repair the biggest time fragment yet. Can Duke recall one of the most significant memories from his childhood? Watch and find out!
In this third installment of Stuck in the 80's, Duke must dig through the recesses of his mind to uncover his memories of Transformers. Can he repair another time fragment? Watch and find out!
I was born in 1975 and spent my childhood in the 1980s. Now as an adult, I am a lover of 80's nostalgia. I am so excited to share this video series with you that is a unique and fun take on reliving my past. There is something so magical about seeing a toy or video game for the first time since childhood and having that "Oh, I remembered that!" feeling, and that is at the heart of this series. I hope you enjoy reliving my past with me!
