My Favorite Video Game Console

It is impossible to compare video game consoles of today with those from the past without setting some boundaries. In terms of graphics and capabilities, there are hand held systems today that are light years ahead of any home console system from 20 years ago. But in choosing my favorite video game console of all time, I asked myself which gave me the most lasting enjoyment. In other words, which console was downright most fun...after all, isn't that what video gaming is all about? The answer, in my humble, casual-gamer opinion, is the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).

The original Nintendo made its North American debut in 1985. It retailed from between $129.95 and $249.99 depending on the bundle package, which included such accessories as a Light Gun, game packs, and a plumber named Mario. I was only 5 years old at the time, and did not get my hands on the brick shaped 4 button controller until I was about 7. While it wasn't the first video game system my family owned (we had an old Atari; I foggily remember playing Pitfall and Pacman) my "Nintendo years" (we'll say 1987 through the early 90's) was my first real plunge into the world of video games.

What captivated me was how realistic the games were, or at least seemed at the time. A huge baseball fan from an early age, I remember scooping up Bases Loaded when it came out, and remarking to my dad about how it looked like a real life baseball game. Seeing this game nowadays, it is hard to even take the player models seriously, especially when compared to the newer powerhouses like Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Still, back then my little 8 year old brain might as well have been watching (and controlling!) a live broadcast of the World Series.

Titles like Super Mario Brothers, The Legend of Zelda, Mike Tyson's Punch-out, Kung-Fu, Rygar, Ghosts n' Gobblins, The Goonies, Excitebike, Karnov, Mega-Man, Rush n' Attack, Tecmo Bowl, Double Dragon, Ninja Gaiden, Double Dribble, and many, many more bring back a flood of great memories. There was nothing like getting together with friends on a Saturday afternoon and playing a game for hours on end (it's no wonder I am so pale in my family photos). To this day, I can still rattle off the 10 digit code to advance to Mike Tyson in Punchout like it's my phone number. Many of these titles are still active franchises today, and have nostalgia appeal to old school gamers like me.

I'll admit, the Nintendo was not without flaws. In addition to the great memories, there are also those of blowing into a dust laden cartridge for a half hour before it booted up, games turning off when someone knocked into the console (or for no reason at all), losing hours worth of play to games that did not have save options, and fighting over turns with my brother before the advent of split screen gaming (sorry, mom). Yet somehow it all seemed worthwhile when I finallybeat that level, saved the princess, or crushed that opponent (I'm talking to you, 8-bit Mike Tyson.)

Today, I am 30 years old, kinda-sorta into video games, and contemplating purchasing the Xbox Kinect, an add-on to the Xbox 360 system that features a controller free interface and 3D facial recognition. Will I enjoy drinking some beers and playing Kinect Sports with some friends? I'm sure. But somehow I doubt it will be the same magical experience as those long ago Saturday Nintendo-thons, and back then all we drank was iced tea.

Sources: "Nintendo Entertainment System," en.wikipedia.org