My Video Game Library: Bonus Stage

    Normally, I would call this extra post an addendum or errata. However, since we are talking video games, bonus stage sounded cooler. Here is the post where I clarify some details I missed in the main posts of this series, as well as correct some mistakes. I did a lot of research this time around, so any mistakes are from bad memory and are somewhat intentional. Let's start.

    I mentioned that I played games at friends and family members' homes, but not what they were. My next-door neighbor had an Atari. He had that horrible port of Pac-Man, Pitfall, and the game with the tanks (Combat?). An older cousin had a Coleco. He had Donkey Kong, a basketball game, and poker.  A slightly younger cousin may have had an Atari as well. I think he had Space Invaders and Centipede, but I played the least amount of time with him, so I might be forgetting some. My best friend in grade mentioned some sort of Indiana Jones/Raiders game while talking with a mutual friend, but I never went to his home to play any. Either he didn't want me there, or my mother wouldn't allow me to go. Both options were equally possible. Finally, I went to one friend's place in high school, without anyone knowing. After some sports type stuff, he went back to his room, where he had an NES. Some guys were playing baseball on it, so I couldn't get a chance to play before I had to leave.  

    I tried to mention everywhere I bought my games. If I didn't mention a location, it was probably due to the fact that my mom got it for me as a gift. (Christmas, birthday, late birthday, etc.) She usually got them at a local Walmart. Mostly Prestonsburg, but sometimes Pikeville or one further out if it couldn't be found closer. Since I wasn't usually there, I can only guess at these assumptions.

    The algorithm on Facebook picked up on my recent interest in video games. One of the articles it picked out involved older retailers. That's when I remembered Babbage's, an old video game store. I'm pretty sure that the GameStop at the Huntington Mall was originally a Babbage's and that is where I actually got those games from. In fact, there is a good chance that the unknown game store at the Fayette Mall in Lexington was a Babbage's as well. It just wasn't open as long.

    I need to mention two stores that I have visited many times, but never buying anything. The first is Page 3 Game Zone. They have sold used and new games for many years, but I've never bought any there. I've bought hundreds, if not thousands, of other things there (comics, books, cards, even a small paint brush for miniatures), but video games. Then there is CM Games at the Fayette Mall. They also have new and used video games, among other types of games. While I've visited many times, I have yet to buy anything at all there.

    As I mentioned at the start, I was skipping giving some games a post, for various reasons. The first is Duck Hunt, which would be obvious as it game with the NES. I hated the light gun, and I easily beat the game by standing a foot or two in front of the television screen. Another NES game, I am too embarrassed to mention, but it included "cookie" in the title. I almost remember playing Dr. Mario in color somewhere, but I don't remember buying it separate.

    While nearing the end of this series, I finally remembered a PS1 game that I had totally forgotten about. It was a game based on Magic:  The Gathering. I liked the game, mostly the back story and collectability of it, but I never played it in public. I asked for the game as a way to play it, without getting embarrassed in public for my bad skills. However, since I didn't have internet access back then, I could only play the story mode.  None of the rules made any sense. I may have gotten far into it, but I don't remember. It was just too weird. I might come back to this in next year's update.

    I mentioned the video game-based cartoons I watched regularly, but not other media. I was planning on it, but I ran out of time that post. I have never followed any live action television series based on a game. I don't go to theaters, so I have never seen any type of game-based movie. The closest I've gotten to watching a full movie is with Wreck-It-Ralph on Disney, and not the entire movie all at once. (Yes, I am immature for my age.) And it just barely can qualify as a video game movie.  I might have gotten a few comics on video games, for free in hand-outs, but I have never collected any series.

    And that is just ab out all for this post. Come back this Wednesday, as I return to my regular schedule. See you then.