Looks like a cool place. I gotta visit it sometime. It does sound like being able to actually play the games is the big selling point, they should maybe have some more places to do that even within the other exhibits.
Yes, this. Dylan, I wasn't sure if kids are a sensitive subject for you, but I had my first kid relatively late (mid-30s), and that "sense of wonder" switch flipping is pretty amazing when you're older and start to feel like you've seen it all.
One thing I'll say about all the collectors' items at the museum: someone on Substack made a really interesting post a while back about how we don't have to search for media anymore. Games, books, music. Once upon a time, if you were looking for something specific as a kid -- perhaps a more obscure game that you read about in Nintendo Power -- it was pretty common that you would NEVER encounter it. It only lived on in your imagination.
If you take a game like Little Samson, most of us never heard of it as a kid. But imagine if we did hear about this super-rare game that's supposedly really fun. The rumors would take on a life of their own.
"My brother's friend's cousin got to play it once. It's better than Mario and Sonic put together."
In that world, just seeing the cartridge in person, under glass, would probably be enough to fire up our imaginations. Now we can just play it emulated. Or drop a sufficiently large amount of money on eBay. And say, "Yeah, it's pretty good." To us adults, that museum collection represents an eBay dollar expenditure. But to the kids, even the ones that are big gamers, I think they just don't get the rush that we might have from seeing a rare cartridge "in the wild."
Nah, kids aren't a sensitive subject, I appreciate any and all insights!
100% agree and excellent point about the museum collection representing an eBay dollar expenditure. The exhibits that had some sort of interaction were far and away the best part, and the reason for most people - old and young - to visit. That said, for an older guy like myself, it was great seeing all this rare stuff in person!
If you find that Substack article about not having to search for media anymore, I'd love the link!
So great! I’d love to visit. Also, remember that time you helped me with Halo 4?
You totally should!
I wish I remembered. Can you remind me?
Hah! Yes: You got me Halo 4 for Christmas one year.
Oh yes, I remember that! I thought you meant I helped you with the game somehow, but I couldn't remember...
I was being CRYPTIC.
Looks like a cool place. I gotta visit it sometime. It does sound like being able to actually play the games is the big selling point, they should maybe have some more places to do that even within the other exhibits.
There are games everywhere, but not as many as probably should be.
Personally, I think it'd be cool if they had Saturn Bomberman set up with the 10 player option...
More exhibits that feature games that few had the chance to play (like Typing of the Dead) that have some sort of fun multiplayer gimmick.
Very cool write up. I live in Dallas, going to have to venture up to McKinney one of those days.
Chef recommends!
Thanks, brother!
Yes, this. Dylan, I wasn't sure if kids are a sensitive subject for you, but I had my first kid relatively late (mid-30s), and that "sense of wonder" switch flipping is pretty amazing when you're older and start to feel like you've seen it all.
One thing I'll say about all the collectors' items at the museum: someone on Substack made a really interesting post a while back about how we don't have to search for media anymore. Games, books, music. Once upon a time, if you were looking for something specific as a kid -- perhaps a more obscure game that you read about in Nintendo Power -- it was pretty common that you would NEVER encounter it. It only lived on in your imagination.
If you take a game like Little Samson, most of us never heard of it as a kid. But imagine if we did hear about this super-rare game that's supposedly really fun. The rumors would take on a life of their own.
"My brother's friend's cousin got to play it once. It's better than Mario and Sonic put together."
In that world, just seeing the cartridge in person, under glass, would probably be enough to fire up our imaginations. Now we can just play it emulated. Or drop a sufficiently large amount of money on eBay. And say, "Yeah, it's pretty good." To us adults, that museum collection represents an eBay dollar expenditure. But to the kids, even the ones that are big gamers, I think they just don't get the rush that we might have from seeing a rare cartridge "in the wild."
Nah, kids aren't a sensitive subject, I appreciate any and all insights!
100% agree and excellent point about the museum collection representing an eBay dollar expenditure. The exhibits that had some sort of interaction were far and away the best part, and the reason for most people - old and young - to visit. That said, for an older guy like myself, it was great seeing all this rare stuff in person!
If you find that Substack article about not having to search for media anymore, I'd love the link!