This is so sweet. Your grandpa was the same age my paternal grandfather was. He was always big into old-school PCs, because he used them for work. He was also a classic kid-at-heart so he got a kick out of games. My uncle is considerably younger than my dad (he was only like 17 when I was born) and still lived with them when my bro and I were growing up, and he was into Sierra adventure games, which my grandfather dug too. He showed us how to play various games, and how to use DOS and computers generally. I mean, Papou was a DOS expert. I think the games kept his mind active.
My maternal Yiayia (grandmother) loved Atari and had one before we did. The puzzle games were her favorite. Later, we got her a Game Gear with Columns for her birthday. She loved showing us Atari games when we’d stay. My brother and I first played an NES at their house when she rented one for us during a stay. The game she rented for us? The Legend of Zelda. She was also good with computers, but she’s an Apple gal. She’s 91 now so not much gaming but yeah, everyone plays games because games are awesome.
I remember you mentioning these memories in one of your previous blog entries or podcast episodes, possibly both. Always love hearing about your grandparents and the NES multicart that they played so much of. Such a sweet story! I’m sure it would’ve made Nintendo Power back in day, well, minus the bootleg games. ;)
My mom played Super Mario Bros a bit but she wasnt any good, she used the nes controller as if it was wiimote way back then, waving her shoulders and all
My Dad got really into Trick Shot on the Atari (2600) but that was about it. The apotheosis of Lode Runner, by the way, was the Lost Levels on CD-ROM circa the mid '90s...
My apologies, upon further research I was referring to "Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks' Revenge." Playing that with some epic movie soundtracks was about as heroic as a 10 year old could get in those days.
This is so sweet. Your grandpa was the same age my paternal grandfather was. He was always big into old-school PCs, because he used them for work. He was also a classic kid-at-heart so he got a kick out of games. My uncle is considerably younger than my dad (he was only like 17 when I was born) and still lived with them when my bro and I were growing up, and he was into Sierra adventure games, which my grandfather dug too. He showed us how to play various games, and how to use DOS and computers generally. I mean, Papou was a DOS expert. I think the games kept his mind active.
My maternal Yiayia (grandmother) loved Atari and had one before we did. The puzzle games were her favorite. Later, we got her a Game Gear with Columns for her birthday. She loved showing us Atari games when we’d stay. My brother and I first played an NES at their house when she rented one for us during a stay. The game she rented for us? The Legend of Zelda. She was also good with computers, but she’s an Apple gal. She’s 91 now so not much gaming but yeah, everyone plays games because games are awesome.
Great post man. Brings back nice memories.
I remember you mentioning these memories in one of your previous blog entries or podcast episodes, possibly both. Always love hearing about your grandparents and the NES multicart that they played so much of. Such a sweet story! I’m sure it would’ve made Nintendo Power back in day, well, minus the bootleg games. ;)
Thanks JT!
I remember some adults liking Duck Hunt and Tetris but thats about it.
I've also heard some stories about dads unwinding with NES Golf, as well.
My mom played Super Mario Bros a bit but she wasnt any good, she used the nes controller as if it was wiimote way back then, waving her shoulders and all
That's incredible, I love it!
My Dad got really into Trick Shot on the Atari (2600) but that was about it. The apotheosis of Lode Runner, by the way, was the Lost Levels on CD-ROM circa the mid '90s...
If we're thinking of the same game (Lost Levels), I remember it as Lode Runner: The Legend Returns by Sierra. It was epic, no question!
The Lost Levels was (I believe) a somewhat expanded edition that allowed you to play 2 player with friends over the Internet...
My apologies, upon further research I was referring to "Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks' Revenge." Playing that with some epic movie soundtracks was about as heroic as a 10 year old could get in those days.
That makes sense! I believe my cousin and I played that version as well, back when he got his Compaq around '95 or so. Good times!
What an awesome story man. Really enjoyed it
Thanks brother!