I must admit, video games have been a part of my life since I was a kid. I spent much of my youth in front of the television playing whatever gaming system was popular at the time. I read countless gaming publications to learn about the newest trends and hottest up-and-coming games. Video games, like drumming, provided me with many hours of entertainment and enjoyment while I was growing up.
I still play video games to this day but I am more of a retro gamer. The newer games just don’t pack the same enjoyment that the older games did. Games have also become too (dare I say it) complicated and time-sucking than they used to. I miss the old days of 2-D and simple objectives like saving the princess and defeating the evil wizard. I guess I’m just getting old.
You can find a work in progress spreadsheet of my collection here.
You can find a work in progress spreadsheet of my collection here.
Below is a list of gaming systems that I have owned in my lifetime:
Name: Atari 2600
Company: Atari
Purchase Date: 1980 ???
Still Own: No
This system marked my first foray into video games. I still remember when my Dad brought this system home one night and surprised me with it. I probably had around 60 or so games during the time I had my 2600.
The model I had was called the ‘heavy sixer’ due to the six switches on the front of the console. A later model moved the difficulty switches to the back near the controller ports. The power switch eventually broke so my parents bought me an Atari 2600 Jr. It was literally the same system but with a new look.
Sadly, most of my Atari 2600 stuff was sold in a garage sale without my knowledge. That’s what I get for not telling my Mom I still wanted it.
Favorite Games:
1. Pitfall 2: The Lost Caverns
2. Mario Bros.
3. Raiders of the Lost Ark
4. Joust
5. Moon Patrol
Company: Nintendo
Purchase Date: December 1987
Still Own: Yes
My first encounter with a NES was Christmas day, 1986. A friend of mine from down the street got one and by the end of the day I had to have a system for myself. The graphics were incredible at the time and blew away everything on the 2600. I would have to wait until next Christmas to get one. I still have my NES to this day and after a 72-pin connector replacement I did in 2005 it runs just like new.
I still have a handful of games that I have picked up at video store clearances and garage sales (I sold my entire game collection to Mauck’s Video Game Exchange back in 1989 to buy a Turbo Grafix-16). While I am happy playing the NES via emulation these days I like to pull the old NES out every now and then.
Favorite Games:
1. Super Mario Bros.
2. Metroid
3. The Legend of Zelda
4. Goonies 2
5. Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out
Name: Master System
Company: Sega
Purchase Date: December 1988
Still Own: No (but still in the family)
My family picked up a Sega Master System during Christmas of 1988 to help offset the fighting my sister and I were doing since we could not share the NES. There were many times I would trade some NES gaming with my sister for some quality time with the SMS. It had some games that were pretty good and unique to the Sega brand. Brian, an old friend of mine who passed away a few years ago, was the only other person I knew who had one. We used to borrow each others games since I didn't know of any stores in the area that rented out SMS games.
After the Genesis came out Sega pretty much stopped supporting the Master System and it began collecting dust. I boxed it up, put it in the attic, and forgot we even owned it. About 5 years ago it was discovered, cleaned up, and given to my nephew. Anytime I see an old Master System it reminds me of all the fun times Brian and I had together.
Favorite Games:
1. Shinobi
2. Parlour Games
3. Thunder Blade
4. Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars
5. Phantasy Star
Name: TurboGrafx-16
My family picked up a Sega Master System during Christmas of 1988 to help offset the fighting my sister and I were doing since we could not share the NES. There were many times I would trade some NES gaming with my sister for some quality time with the SMS. It had some games that were pretty good and unique to the Sega brand. Brian, an old friend of mine who passed away a few years ago, was the only other person I knew who had one. We used to borrow each others games since I didn't know of any stores in the area that rented out SMS games.
After the Genesis came out Sega pretty much stopped supporting the Master System and it began collecting dust. I boxed it up, put it in the attic, and forgot we even owned it. About 5 years ago it was discovered, cleaned up, and given to my nephew. Anytime I see an old Master System it reminds me of all the fun times Brian and I had together.
Favorite Games:
1. Shinobi
2. Parlour Games
3. Thunder Blade
4. Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars
5. Phantasy Star
Name: TurboGrafx-16
Company: NEC
Purchase Date: Fall 1989
Still Own: No
In 1989, 16-bit systems started to appear on the market. The first two available were the Sega Genesis and the TurboGrafx-16. Some of my friends were planning on getting a Genesis so I decided to be different and get a TG-16 so we all knew someone with each. I sold around 30 NES games to a local used game shop to get the system. I had kept all of my NES game boxes, instructions, and inserts which allowed me to get a premium for my collection.
The TG-16 was a fun system but it lacked third-party support and it showed compared to the Genesis and the Super Nintendo released later in the 16-bit era. I ended up selling it to a friend which was a huge mistake since it now commands high prices on auction sites due to the system's rarity. Hindsight...heh.
Favorite Games:
1. Legendary Axe
2. Dungeon Explorer
3. Alien Crush
4. Splatterhouse
5. R-Type
Name: Gameboy
In 1989, 16-bit systems started to appear on the market. The first two available were the Sega Genesis and the TurboGrafx-16. Some of my friends were planning on getting a Genesis so I decided to be different and get a TG-16 so we all knew someone with each. I sold around 30 NES games to a local used game shop to get the system. I had kept all of my NES game boxes, instructions, and inserts which allowed me to get a premium for my collection.
The TG-16 was a fun system but it lacked third-party support and it showed compared to the Genesis and the Super Nintendo released later in the 16-bit era. I ended up selling it to a friend which was a huge mistake since it now commands high prices on auction sites due to the system's rarity. Hindsight...heh.
Favorite Games:
1. Legendary Axe
2. Dungeon Explorer
3. Alien Crush
4. Splatterhouse
5. R-Type
Name: Gameboy
Company: Nintendo
Purchase Date: December 1991
Still Own: Yes
For Christmas of 1991 I asked for a Nintendo Gameboy. It had been out since 1989 and many of my friends had one already but I had grown tired of borrowing theirs and it had finally built up a library of games I wanted to play. I still own my original one and it works but it has a few display lines out. I do my Gameboy playing these days on my Nexus 7 via emulation.
Favorite Games:
1. (tie) Tetris, Dr. Mario
2. Mega Man 2
3. Final Fantasy Legend II
4. Metroid 2: Return of Samus
5. Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
For Christmas of 1991 I asked for a Nintendo Gameboy. It had been out since 1989 and many of my friends had one already but I had grown tired of borrowing theirs and it had finally built up a library of games I wanted to play. I still own my original one and it works but it has a few display lines out. I do my Gameboy playing these days on my Nexus 7 via emulation.
Favorite Games:
1. (tie) Tetris, Dr. Mario
2. Mega Man 2
3. Final Fantasy Legend II
4. Metroid 2: Return of Samus
5. Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters
More to come...
