This game had a huge story, a great cast of characters, phenomenal graphics, and enough extras and side quests to choke a llama. It's funny; back then I used to play games in my bedroom, back against the wall facing the TV with music playing, and to this day when I hear The Odds - Good Weird Feeling album I can recall parts of the Shadowrun game. I must have listened to that CD a hundred times while playing that game. Isn't it funny how you associate sights and sounds together if they are paired enough times?
Around this time I was also constantly playing Mortal Kombat 2 in the arcades, and my friend and I were masters at this game. I had a 100% combo for Liu Kang and Mileena that would cause people to want to physically hurt me. It was always funny — we would go to the arcade with eight quarters (yes, games cost only a quarter back then) and play for hours. At the time the game was so popular that people were lining up to play it. I would start and play five to six people (and win), then my buddy would play and beat me (though sometimes not). Then he would play five to six people, and then I would play him and win (sometimes), and so on. We were true Mortal Kombat masters.
The arcade and home consoles were a new outlet for me, a way to let go of the problems at home and school, a way to enjoy myself without any pressures. I still read, drew and played sports, but I enjoyed immersing myself in these worlds and experiences. Many of my inspirations for art and projects came from some of these worlds I was exploring.
To be continued in Part 2 - The Sony Era
Article comments
1 - Luis
Cool article, hurry with "The Sony Era"!
2 - john
what about pc gamers we have all and made all game genres.
the first game was made on pc
pc gamers never had a game crash ever!!!
3 - Michael Prince
I have been a PC gamer since my commodore years...that will be the epilogue piece because it has spanned my entire gaming career...till now...stay tuned.
4 - Robert M. Barga
You guys are talking about games that need no thought to them
Now Conly's game of life, that requires some though
that said, love the story
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
This was the first major console war and my brother and I would often switch consoles for weeks on end so we could play each other's games.
I'm sorry, but, for us die-hards the first major console war was the NES(8-bit) vs. SEGA Master System. As an avid gamer,how could you have overlooked such an important part of gaming history? Just the game Kid Icarus alone puts the NES in legend status!
6 - Mark
While the NES and SMS were contenders, the way things were back then, I was only vaguely aware of the SMS compared to the dominant advertising and presence of the NES until years later. NES was sold everywhere. SMS was more of a boutique item for the hardcore. You had to look for the SMS; you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a NES and/or someone who loved it.
Of course, prior to all that, there was a multi-faceted skirmish between the Atari 2600/7800, Colecovision, Intellivision, and others that ruled the roost pre-crash.
7 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Definitely, NES was far too popular to lose that war though, I have to disagree that the SMS was hard to find. It was available at Toys R Us back in the day. I do believe it may have cost a little more...
That's why I stated, "for us Die-Hards" because the SMS was a formidable system in technical specs as well as games to the NES. BUT, let me state again for the record... NES is legendary and,imo, was the best gaming experience in the history of video games!