I'm babysitting tonight
So a friend asked if I could watch his kid while he has a meeting or something and mom's out of town. I'm stoked as hell because this kid is 11 years old and he is the only person I can get to play Nintendo with me.
I'm gonna bring a Retro-Bit clonesole that I got for him, and take a crack at cleaning/tightening up his front-loader so it's more reliable. Last time I visited, I brought Mario 3 and Mega Man 2. And two other games but I don't remember what, because that's what we spent the most time on. We spent like four hours on Mario 3.
Tonight I'm gonna bring Mega Man 2 again because he wrote down his password (by which I mean he made dad type it in his smartphone) as well as Battletoads, Kung Fu, Defender 2, and maybe one more I'm not sure. I let him pick all plays last time, but tonight I think I'm going to force a couple rounds of Kung Fu and Defender first. I'm also going to give him some homework. Bring a copy of Metroid and tell him he can keep it if he gets the ice beam by the next time I come over.
I'm gonna bring a Retro-Bit clonesole that I got for him, and take a crack at cleaning/tightening up his front-loader so it's more reliable. Last time I visited, I brought Mario 3 and Mega Man 2. And two other games but I don't remember what, because that's what we spent the most time on. We spent like four hours on Mario 3.
Tonight I'm gonna bring Mega Man 2 again because he wrote down his password (by which I mean he made dad type it in his smartphone) as well as Battletoads, Kung Fu, Defender 2, and maybe one more I'm not sure. I let him pick all plays last time, but tonight I think I'm going to force a couple rounds of Kung Fu and Defender first. I'm also going to give him some homework. Bring a copy of Metroid and tell him he can keep it if he gets the ice beam by the next time I come over.
Comments
That's rad. I miss having that kind of unbridled enthusiasm for the games. As much as I love it, I don't think I could sit and play Mario 3 for four hours these days.
Thanks man. What do you think it would take to find that joy again in old games? Is it just time? I think he has it for new games but doesn't know how to build the skill for old ones. In that SMB3 session I don't think he finished a single stage himself even though I gave him a lot of chances. Maybe if I give him a cart of his own and Nintendo Power #13 strategy guide he can make progress.
So here is my report. Games in order we played them. I think Kung Fu and Defender were the games he passed up last time. But when I suggested them, he was down, and he knew those games already. He is a really smart kid. He says some funny things though.
Kung Fu: stage 3 boss (wizard):
Him: "Is he a mercenary?"
Me: "I think he's a wizard."
Him: "I think he's a mercenary, because they throw fire a lot." I'm not sure what he meant by that...
Him: "It's really satisfying when you're ducking and punching, because then you're repeatedly hitting people in the crotch!" LOL
Defender:
Him: "This game is like an ice level..."
Me: "Because everything is so slippery?"
Him: "yeah"
(talking about the humans on the ground) Him: "Are they spacemen?
Me: "I don't know, I'm not sure."
Him: "I think we're on Earth, because there's a lot of people."
Battletoads:
(1st level, flying creatures) Him: "Is that a flying pig?"
Me: "I think it's a small dragon."
Him: "I think it's a peanut butter sandwich. But I say that about everything! Car? Peanut butter sandwich!"
Me: (WTFLOL)
BTW! Battletoads does not work on a clone! I didn't know that. It freezes partway through the second level. Apparently it has some kinda copy protection.
Sure he'll like Battletoads too, at least up to the turbo tunnel where we all give up!
For sure. "We should play Battletoads next, because it only has three levels" is what I said
Kabuki Quantum Fighter: This was the other game I ended up bringing.. I love it. It's the first NES game I bought CIB as an adult, so I wanted to show it off.
Him: "Why does everything look like it's from either Contra or Zelda?"
Him: (points out the weapon selection square that shows your hair and asked about it.)
Me: (explain how the different weapons work, and the bar labeled "CHIP" is ammo for your secondary.)
Him: "What kind of chips are they? Are they Doritos? Pringles?"
Me: LOL
He went on about different kinds of chips for quite a while and ultimately determined that KQF weapon is Pringles.
Mega Man 2
He didn't do so hot. Last time, he got through Air Man and Flash Man. He did one more (can't remember which) and I made him write the password on paper (which will definitely be lost by next time). Then he tried Crash Man and couldn't get through the stage, so I showed him how. Then he tried Heat Man and gave up and put on Assassin's Creed 2.
I'm still glad he digs old games and I will try to continue cultivating that. His parents have done a great job! I'm just extending on the framework they've set. He has a busted Colecovision that he wants to get into, and he knows what a Odyssey 2 is. I'll think about Double Dragon. He's not very good at the old games even though he likes them. He couldn't beat the first level of Kung Fu. But I explained about jumpkicking the 12th guy trick and other ways to score better, and he was interested. Got to second levels in Defender and Battletoads. We talked about next time and he is down for Punch-out! and requested Contra himself--hell yeah! I fucking forgot to bring Metroid...next time. I'm pretty sure he will be into it. He knows who Samus is from Smash and Prime. He told me all about Galloping Ghost (huge arcade in the suburbs here) and People Play Games (awesome store that stocks all generations). Also. We had pizza.
Originally posted by: gunpei
Also. We had pizza.
Now THIS is awesome. But seriously, this whole story is awesome. You have to keep us posted.
Originally posted by: gunpei
Dunno how readable this is but I tried. Hope anybody who reads enjoys!
Originally posted by: laddersandcakes
That's rad. I miss having that kind of unbridled enthusiasm for the games. As much as I love it, I don't think I could sit and play Mario 3 for four hours these days.
Thanks man. What do you think it would take to find that joy again in old games? Is it just time? I think he has it for new games but doesn't know how to build the skill for old ones. In that SMB3 session I don't think he finished a single stage himself even though I gave him a lot of chances. Maybe if I give him a cart of his own and Nintendo Power #13 strategy guide he can make progress.
Not totally sure, dude. Honestly, as much as I hate to admit it, I think my attention span has shortened as I've gotten older or I just don't have as much patience.
I feel for the little guy re: that badness. I was never very good at older games when I was around his age and younger--gotten better with age and research. But I bet he'd get better with practice, like you say. He's probably better than I was, from the sound of it, ha.
I wish I lived close to Galloping Ghost Arcade! Let us know how it is if you go out there. Seems like a rad place; I watch their fighting game streams occasionally, but they're supposed to be one of the best arcades in the country from what I understand.
Nah dude, he's just trying to be funny. Wasn't your sense of humor weird or stupid or awkward when you were 11?
Yeah? So's your face!
Nah dude, he's just trying to be funny. Wasn't your sense of humor weird or stupid or awkward when you were 11?
Yes, weird and awkward for sure. Cool story gunpei. Glad your trying to pass the torch!
Originally posted by: gunpei
Yeah? So's your face!
Nah dude, he's just trying to be funny. Wasn't your sense of humor weird or stupid or awkward when you were 11?
Mine still is...
But yeah, this is sweet.
Ive got a buddy who dated a girl real serious like awhile back who had an 8 year old son and he said it was awesome being able to play games with the kid. Though he usually got his ass kicked. Thinking about getting one of those myself.
My own son is now 5 and he loves to play NES. Batman, Mario and Mega man are some of his favorites, though he is still learning the controls.
Gearing up for another round of gaming tonight! I'm gonna bring Punch-Out and Contra. I know he likes Ninja Turtles, so I'll try him on TMNT2, then see what he thinks of Double Dragon 2. Beat 'em up school. I don't have River City Ransom, though.