Looking Back in Time at 30 Years

[RaychelSnr]

For the past few Christmases, one of my personal Yuletide traditions has been to browse YouTube for random '80s commercials in an attempt to awaken my inner child. Between Barney sliding down the chimney to steal Fred’s Fruity Pebbles and a creepy voice hawking the Clapper, I recently stumbled on a classic Super Mario Bros. 3 ad.

I was hit with an extra wave of nostalgia because unlike cereal and geriatric gadgets, this game was something I actually wanted. Somehow, this commercial had lodged itself in the the recesses of my mind, and seeing it instantly transported me back to elementary school.

Following that bit of classic advertising, I took pause to reflect on just how much video games, specifically sports games, have affected my almost-30-year lifespan.

Read More - Looking Back in Time at 30 Years

[JonahFalcon]

MicroLeague Baseball, Earl Weaver Baseball, Front Page Sports: Football Pro.

'nuff said.

[Cletus]

Great article. It sums up how I feel about sports gaming and makes me realize why I do it. Several people ask me my hobby and then look at me like I'm weird when I say video games. To me, it's just like model railroading or collecting baseball cards.

[wsu_gb23]

I used to get games for x-mas every year... I remember my brother getting the original bases loaded and I got wwf wrestling that year... both games were a blast to play...it was fun being a kid....games were always great to play. No major complaints....

[UNKATHEL68]

I actually remember X-mas 30 years ago and Video games were not on my list. The Atari 2600 would set you back 200 dollars and that was actually close to what my parents were paying for there mortgage. The games were between 39.99 and 49.99 back then also. Electronic Handheld games like Mattel Basketball, Football, and Baseball were more common in households in the hood.

We finally had an Atari during the summer of 81 and Atari basketball was my favorite game. After seeing how far video games have come I think graphics and ai have improved but there is so much more for people to complain about like the wrong color headband or rim color it just make gaming not as fun.

I miss the good ole days.

[Eski33]

This article brought back great memories. As a 37 year-old gamer, I could relate to almost everything mentioned in the article.

To have seen gaming evolve in to what it is today from the most basic sprite-based characters to the polygonal picturesque gems we get to see today, has been awesome.

I had the old Magnavox Pong that graduated to the Atari 2600. I also had the Intellivision II. The gaming device that really sparked my gaming addiction was the Commodore 64. As an avid sports gamer, I lived through hours upon hours of playing Computer QB by SSI (Strategic Simulations), Statis Pro Baseball by Avalon Hill (arguably the best baseball sim ever), Courtside College Basketball and NBA: The Pro Game by Lance Haffner. I also must throw in Accolade's 4th and Inches. An 11-on-11 football game in which you could create your own teams. Having a 6'11" 700 pound running back with 4.3 speed was my greatest creation.

Then the Sega Genesis turned my addiction into something that no intervention could cure. Madden, NHL and Lakers vs Celtics (which later became NBA Live) consumed many of my college nights. Then the release of the PlayStation and NFL Gameday turned my college house into a highly competitive atmosphere every day after class.

When Madden 97 was released for the PS, the CG video which opened the game showing detailed Packers and Patriots players, only brought up dreams as I remember saying to myself that I wish the game actually looked that good.

Well, in 1999 when the Dreamcast released that "wish" was realized with NFL 2K and the sick visuals and animations that game revealed. Not to mention the best commentating team of all time.

Since that time, I have owned every console (minus handhelds) except the GameCube. Each year, the visuals get better and better and features are added that we would never have dreamed on in the 80's.

So many of today's gamers take these games for granted with such minor gripes of team socks designed incorrectly to a player having the wrong color of visor on their helmets. Being a proud old school gamer, I often stop and replay the simplest of plays in Madden 09 so I can just take in the visual awesomeness. The grass, the huge stadiums and the player detail is absolutely incredible.

Thanks for such a thought-provoking article. Brought back great memories.

[Eski33]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cletus

Great article. It sums up how I feel about sports gaming and makes me realize why I do it. Several people ask me my hobby and then look at me like I'm weird when I say video games. To me, it's just like model railroading or collecting baseball cards.

Celtus,

I feel the same way. Gaming is one of the greatest hobbies ever. I am not ashamed to say that I game. When people give me "that look" I ask them if they watch television? Most reply, "yes". Then I ask if they read books. Again, "yes."

I then inform them that gaming is no different with the exception being that you are immersed into a story with the ability to make things happen. Not to mention no matter what game you play it takes problem solving to get past obstacles.

Gaming, if done in moderation, is an excellent activity that allows people to interact with those from around the county, and the world (whoever thought you could play against a human player from a different zip code from the comfort of your home?).

[wsu_gb23]

I remember getting the dreamcast during my early college days and playing NFL 2K and thinking, "wow, graphics can't get any better than this." then along came the xbox, then the 360 and PS3....I think we are going to be seeing improvements every year.....eventually it will become photo-realistic, right?