The 90's for video games was no doubt a silver age as the subculture was one the rise and it was practically just about everywhere and growing at a rapid rate even to this day. So, a game show based upon the subculture wasn't a surprise. This is an under the radar gem as it's became slightly overlooked and forgotten. It's also another one of those childhood gems as I remember watching this early morning on the weekdays on cable.
Watching this was a lot of fun, that theme song which is an honorable mention on favorite theme songs. It's catchy with its 90's hip hop tone, but hearing it, it really got you pumped up knowing you in for a good game. Really like the game show setting as it a bit sci fiish but also a little rough urbanized which fit giving the show a 90's cool atmosphere and reflecting the video game subculture.
The host Johnny is good, he has sort of this wacky personality. Though I'll admit that's one bad thing about the series, I feel the host is overacting, which is why some of the comedy with him doesn't always hit at least for me. And even the contestants had some of the same awkward looks that we did in places, I couldn't help but think "Is this guy for real." I just feel in some of his hosting he could of toned down the comedic persona in places, which would of made contestants and even the audience feel a little more comfortable with him, which is part of what being a game show host is about guiding players comfortably while having fun at the same time.
Though one highlight was that in the middle of the show he would sometimes give out some pro tips on certain games that are currently out or new, which was pretty helpful because back then we didn't have "Youtube" we couldn't access video guides, which shows why this show is a product of it's time. We have a video game tournament portion which is similar with "Starcade" and "Nick Arcade" where if you have the highest score you gain points. It starts of with the basic quiz show questions to answer to gain points but of course we're all here for the video game playing. There a bit of a participator sense to those segments, I remember as a kid always being excited when they play a game and saying things to the team on the screen to go here on this game, get that, nail that guy, oh how could you miss that, things like that it was that exciting. The video games that were played were one mainly for the Nintendo Entertainment System which makes sense since that system was the biggest best-selling console at the time. It's true that none of the other systems we're familiar with are around like the "Sega Genesis" and "Super Nintendo" which could of added more variety to the show, but both systems didn't come out till a little latter and didn't gain big popularity yet, which is why I can look past the slight lack in variety.
And of course, the highlight no doubt is the video game shopping spree, which is just awesome it's every gamers dream to get as much video games as you want and desire without a worry in the world. Though this game is also a scavenger hunt, as you have to find specific games in a limited amount of time and stick them onto your Velcro suits, though the only bad thing is the Velcro doesn't always work as the games sometimes slip off the suits, someone should of retested a few of them.
But anyways at the end you go down the slide and then your collected game are counted and if you have enough of the specific games to find you would get a big price like in one episode a "Neo Geo" console which is an awesome price from the fact that system is now a bit rare and extremely pricy than ever before; let alone the fact it's a awesome system. Hopefully the contestants were able to find Neo Geo games as they weren't soild in a lot of stores except "Toys R Us" and some video game shows like "Software Inc" damn I miss both places.
Overall, it's a solid game show, like any of the Nintendo games on the show it's a good piece of game show and video game history worth a play.
Rating: 3 stars
Watching this was a lot of fun, that theme song which is an honorable mention on favorite theme songs. It's catchy with its 90's hip hop tone, but hearing it, it really got you pumped up knowing you in for a good game. Really like the game show setting as it a bit sci fiish but also a little rough urbanized which fit giving the show a 90's cool atmosphere and reflecting the video game subculture.
The host Johnny is good, he has sort of this wacky personality. Though I'll admit that's one bad thing about the series, I feel the host is overacting, which is why some of the comedy with him doesn't always hit at least for me. And even the contestants had some of the same awkward looks that we did in places, I couldn't help but think "Is this guy for real." I just feel in some of his hosting he could of toned down the comedic persona in places, which would of made contestants and even the audience feel a little more comfortable with him, which is part of what being a game show host is about guiding players comfortably while having fun at the same time.
Though one highlight was that in the middle of the show he would sometimes give out some pro tips on certain games that are currently out or new, which was pretty helpful because back then we didn't have "Youtube" we couldn't access video guides, which shows why this show is a product of it's time. We have a video game tournament portion which is similar with "Starcade" and "Nick Arcade" where if you have the highest score you gain points. It starts of with the basic quiz show questions to answer to gain points but of course we're all here for the video game playing. There a bit of a participator sense to those segments, I remember as a kid always being excited when they play a game and saying things to the team on the screen to go here on this game, get that, nail that guy, oh how could you miss that, things like that it was that exciting. The video games that were played were one mainly for the Nintendo Entertainment System which makes sense since that system was the biggest best-selling console at the time. It's true that none of the other systems we're familiar with are around like the "Sega Genesis" and "Super Nintendo" which could of added more variety to the show, but both systems didn't come out till a little latter and didn't gain big popularity yet, which is why I can look past the slight lack in variety.
And of course, the highlight no doubt is the video game shopping spree, which is just awesome it's every gamers dream to get as much video games as you want and desire without a worry in the world. Though this game is also a scavenger hunt, as you have to find specific games in a limited amount of time and stick them onto your Velcro suits, though the only bad thing is the Velcro doesn't always work as the games sometimes slip off the suits, someone should of retested a few of them.
But anyways at the end you go down the slide and then your collected game are counted and if you have enough of the specific games to find you would get a big price like in one episode a "Neo Geo" console which is an awesome price from the fact that system is now a bit rare and extremely pricy than ever before; let alone the fact it's a awesome system. Hopefully the contestants were able to find Neo Geo games as they weren't soild in a lot of stores except "Toys R Us" and some video game shows like "Software Inc" damn I miss both places.
Overall, it's a solid game show, like any of the Nintendo games on the show it's a good piece of game show and video game history worth a play.
Rating: 3 stars