Dude, we need more of these episodes. Where you're not forcing yourself to be angry, but rather sharing your childhood on games and why you loved them. This was fantastic.
Agreed. He's skirted this territory before by covering a series he loves, but then critiques the bad parts, but why limit himself? It's all about nostalgia.
Ending made me emotional. I miss the 90s and I miss my neighborhood friends :( That's why I collect physical games. Each one holds a dear memory to me.
I had an uncle 4 years older than me and this episode got me. We played games like this together and when I was 32, he passed on. So this hit home. 44 years old and I confess, I cried too. Thanks for this one, James...
Man that ending when you were talking about how sometime somewhere maybe those same friends are thinking about those memories of sitting with you too, that just made me tear up man
Oh man that ending got me, I cried like a little kid. I miss my childhood and my dad... He used to play videogames with me... Happy times. Thank you, James.
@nieooj gotoy I swear. This one ratcheted up the nostalgia x 1000. I will always remember up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A,B,SELECT, START forever.
The fact that James still have footages of him as a kid is amazing, and love episodes like these because mostly the games that are nostalgic to The Nerd are also nostalgic to me
A couple years ago, my father passed away. The day after his funeral I went and played StarTropics for NES, one of our old favorites. When you talked just now about beloved ones watching us play again after they left, I really connected with that. It's that exact feeling, that maybe these games are something to hold on when you need it. Great video, James. Thank you for the memories.
Well I did not expect the last sequence. We do have a connection, but it's deeper than you think: I've been following you since 2006 or something, while attending university, and there you go, I'm watching the lastest episode of the AVGN. Never have I lost a single episode of the AVGN. In my case you also were such an inspiration for creating my own videos, so the connection is even deeper. So I do agree there's a link between all of us thanks to videogames, but as I'm getting older I'm also aware that YOU were and always be such an important part of my happiness.
I'm a 45 year old dude growing up playing arcade games in the 80's and 90's. Even my Contra memories were from what I've experienced in the arcades with my old friends. But no 'arcade channels' evoked all the fond memories I had playing all those games like what James of AVGN did here. All those arcades geeks ever talk about was only technical stuffs like ROMs, chips, motherboards, jamma, PCB, Sanwa buttons, HEPP joysticks, bla, bla, bla... Thank you James!!
Best review and had me down memory lane. Today May 5th 2010 I lost my mother. But I still remember her buying a used Contra at the local swap meet and how excited I was to play it with my friends growing up. Miss you mom. Thank you Nerd. 😢😊
I'll watch any AVGN ep, but both of the 2022 AVGN videos so far feel better than the nerd has in YEARS. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but it just feels like they're straight from the soul. I'd gladly wait as long as it takes between eps if it's gonna be like this from here on.
James was clearly not into AVGN/the "Nerd character" for a few years. It showed in his work. I think his recent stuff is legitimately the best content he's put out in at least a decade. You're exactly right about soul - the passion is there, just like it was in the old days.
That ending was so beautiful, talk about tugging at my heartstrings. So many amazing memories are associated with video games. I'm so glad that I've grown up with the evolution of gaming.
You just don't know how much you just yanked on my heart with the epic ending. My Dad passed away in 2019, and he loved watching me play this game as a kid. R.I.P., Dad, I hope you're watching down over me! Thank you, James! ❤
The difference between James and the Nerd really is just his presentation isn't it? It's moments like those that really show he's not just an actor playing a character - he's actually just sharing a fun, over-the-top part of his own personality with us.
This was a very touching video. It almost had me crying. I remember my mom watching me play NES. She passed in 2016 and I've had my own son since then but the memories are still there. Thanks Nerd!
Wow! This game seems to really be one of those who got into you deep. Otherwise u wouldn't have made this episode such a BEAUTIFUL ending! Finally, you became spiritual, Nerd! You accomplished the thing that is the true fate of every real "geek": to become a Chosen One in the end
That final message brought me back to my old memories playing 8 bit games enjoying my weekend playing for several hours and nothing matters to me. Great episode, thanks James.
This is, by far, one of the best videos you have made. Because, my Grandmother used to watch me play this for hours. and when i finally beat it without the code we celebrated with dessert. :) Thanks for the memories!
This feels to me like the perfect transition for an aging Video Game Nerd. A mellowed (if somewhat mildly annoyed when due) Video Game Nerd, remembering the games he liked as a kid. This was a fantastic video.
These retrospectives hit hard. Nostalgia makes me sad sometimes, I lost a lot of people in my life and its bittersweet to call back to these more innocent times. I appreciate the look back.
I played Contra 3 with my son recently. now he has such a big appreciation for retro games. Makes me tear up seeing him enjoying it as i did as a child. Nostalgia hit hard for me watching this video thanks for the content.
Can’t believe I was playing Contra 1, Mario 1, etc etc back when I was 4/5 years old. Had this n64 compilation pack that had TONS of mango arcade games. Blessed. 🤘
Also a BIG THANK YOU to anyone who has been involved with any of your projects! THANK YOU Mike Matei and THANK YOU to all the people involved with screenwave!
This episode reminded me that James has become like family to those of us who have been watching for over fifteen years. The love for the NES unites fans.
I so appreciate James' take on nostalgia. I'm about the same age, so it's very heartwarming to see his photos of growing up in that era. It really takes you back. Thanks for sharing, Nerd!
The ending was touching and heart felt. Sharing a bit of your personal child hood felt like we grew up together. Thank you so much for allowing me to remember as I’m 43 years old. Everything you said of the nostalgic feeling is so true.
This is my favorite episode that you've ever made. I used to have a cat named Petey who's favorite thing to do was to sit with me while I played videogames. Countless upon countless hours spent just sitting in our big gaming chair, where any virtual adventure I went on he was right there with me. That ending speech had me crying a little bit. You always do such amazing work Mr. Rolfe and I look forward to your next video.
Hence why I still keep my old PS2, sometimes I don't remember stuff, but playing those childhoods games always brings me back to those much simpler times
I just lost my dad, so hearing you say the loved ones we've lost are still watching us play was enough to get the waterworks going. Great episode, thank you.
AVGN's been getting more and more mature and sentimental lately, and it's honestly become a much better show for it. From making "peace" with LJN to delivering a heartfelt monologue at the end of this video, it's really endearing to see AVGN go from just a character-based comedy web show to a show with intellectual merit and closure.
It honestly always had intellectual merrit. A 12 year old kid in 2007 learning about what a coleco vision, vextrex, and commodore 64 is, and the crash of 83? Video game history is history
He's literally always been like that. In 1998 he made a nostalgic retrospective on a film franchise he made only a few years prior called the Snix flicks.
That was another age. An age that will never happen again. Even though the golden era is long gone it's still great to remember it, all the memores you made. What a touching ending.
I would definitely like to see more of these "How I Remember It" segments. We know you played the Junk and we love how you express that, but its also nice to see the games you liked and why.
I agree. This was a great video down memory lane. Even though I never played Contra myself back in the days, my friends and I would often play Midnight Resistance on the Amiga. Similar gameplay, and lots of memories playing the game. Although we never beat it.
Such a simple AVGN episode but honestly now one of my favorites. Love the passion that James put into this video.
Год назад+34
I’ve never played Contra in my childhood. Unfortunately, I didn’t grew up with videogames or at least not at so many years. But this positive review made me cry, remembering my years as a little girl and how even without the videogaming experience, the shared feelings about childhood games and memories felt almost the same. More wholesome AVGN videos, please. ❤
Its fitting how the best AVGN episode in years ends with James talking about the past. Reminded me of how I found out about AVGN and had to watch all the old episodes and to see some of the new ones too. Pretty weird feeling
This video was so touching. It was like James came through and introduced himself to us personally. Breaking through as we all are aging and growing up. Mourning lost childhoods while trying to move into the future. Thank you, James... Thanks.
That ending was freaking beautiful, dude. Got me remembering my childhood, my grandpa, my old friends gathered around playing N64. Really brought me back. You're the best. Period.
I clicked on the video expecting the typical nerd rage at the difficulty of Contra, but instead I got a brilliant retrospective on the series, as well as a touching reflection on the nature of video games. This is truly one of the best Nerd videos.
This is, by far, one of the best Avgn episodes I've ever seen. Really made me shed a tear about how times have changed, but no matter how old you're getting, you can still play games, even the bad ones.
I remember playing contra with my lil bro when our grandfather was still there watching us playing. Not really long ago. I'm 24 now. I was like 10 back then. My bro is 2 year younger. Our grandfather passed away in when i was 13. 😢
indeed, i hope we get to see another one of these later in the year, maybe give us his best Zelda memories, as there are a lot of them and we dunno how many James played.
The ending was so powerful. Serious but true. We forget what fun memories we had with a certain game but as soon as we hook that game back up, it's on baby.
Played NES with my Grandparents when I was a kid. One of our favorite games was Contra. I'll never forget those memories of playing Nintendo with them. Hopefully they're still watching me play Nintendo with my son and wife from the great beyond. Great episode and a great ending. Thank you James and crew.
I didn't grow up with the original NES (I'm from a younger generation and am about 16 years younger than James) but I still like to watch people so happily talk about their childhoods memories of a game and relive it through their gameplay. It gives me a fuzzy, endearing feeling I can't explain. Even if I didn't grow up with Contra, I can recognize someone experiencing nostalgia when I see it.
Loved this so much, the ending hit unexpectedly hard.. So cool to see those old pictures and footage, a real personal touch, keep doing what you do man!
The way I see it is his shows are already like that. Except for the warm & fuzzy outro, of course. I can often tell he grew up with a game because he'll mention some perspective on it that I remember having as a kid. The perspective of a suburban 90s kid whose primary hobby was video games, and if he was lucky, had a VCR in his room. This show is a nostalgia overload for me. It's like he's in my brain sometimes.
I watched my little son play Contra, I remember well. I would ask him, "how do you do that?" He is now a grown man.Years later he taught me to play the newer games, but knew I could never play the retro games. Thanks for reminding me of the simpler times. ♥
Its crazy, i have the same memory of beating contra before school...its the only game i remember beating that early...i think its awesome we have james to bridge us to the past.
"You die. You learn. You do better." Exactly why I love games from this era growing up, and why Monster , and Soulsborne are both my favorite series, but masterpieces, as well.
You can still do that, but having the option to skip levels, and having the ability to be immune to damage, and saving the game at the level you left off, makes everything a lot easier.
Never thought I'd see an AVGN that would make me a little misty eyed. This episode is one of the best in recent years and I'd be all for seeing more like it
From the absolute bottom of my nostalgia addicted, curmudgeon heart…thank you. Thank you for everything….these videos and you, the Nerd…have gotten as close as anyone ever will to my actual childhood and it’s memories. I will always associate you and these videos with my own thoughts of staying weekends at my grandparents and renting games…the store let you switch once during the weekend and it was fantastic…and staying up all night with my long gone childhood best friend mapping by hand on grid paper the final dungeon in Zelda 1 ….thank you ❤🖤
Go to expressvpn.com/cinemassacre and find out how you can get 3 months of ExpressVPN free!
No you
a private network is very cool but all i really need is an internet connection that works properly lol
@Evil 🅥 2:45
@Evil 🅥 no you don’t
But i like China to have my personal info
Dude, we need more of these episodes. Where you're not forcing yourself to be angry, but rather sharing your childhood on games and why you loved them. This was fantastic.
Absolutely!! 👍
agreed!!
That’s what Monster Madness and most of his retrospectives have always been.
Agreed. He's skirted this territory before by covering a series he loves, but then critiques the bad parts, but why limit himself? It's all about nostalgia.
The reminiscent video game nerd.
"Sometimes you have to forget about something to fall in love with it again" literally how I feel rewatching avgn
Literally made me breakdown thinking about my ex girlfriend. . .
*temporarily
This is how I feel now, since I've walked away from Fallout 4 and Skyrim.
@@angelphoenix7784me with Skyrim, oblivion and nv
@@RunaroundStar get over her, stalker
Ending made me emotional. I miss the 90s and I miss my neighborhood friends :( That's why I collect physical games. Each one holds a dear memory to me.
Moments are temporary, but memories last forever
Physical games forever,bro
Yes, altough I tend to collect too many new ones that I did not even play, so these make no sense
Old games: Our childhoods!
New games: This is cool stuff!
@@guybrushgetchell2945 aha was that what Richard Branson said?
I had an uncle 4 years older than me and this episode got me. We played games like this together and when I was 32, he passed on. So this hit home. 44 years old and I confess, I cried too. Thanks for this one, James...
May he be at peace
I'm all for more positive retrospectives of games James liked when he was young but told through the Nerd. The 4-part Castlevania-thon was great.
Maybe my favorite nerd episode or episodes. Lol
I agree. I enjoyed those retrospectives so much, it was just so nice hearing his memories regarding those games, especially SNES Castlevania 4.
Agreed. His review of Castlevania 4 got me to play it.
ARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIBA
I wish he would continue it though. There are many more games. But I don't think the ps2 games are old enough.
Man that ending when you were talking about how sometime somewhere maybe those same friends are thinking about those memories of sitting with you too, that just made me tear up man
Makes me want to reach out
Same
Oh man that ending got me, I cried like a little kid. I miss my childhood and my dad... He used to play videogames with me... Happy times. Thank you, James.
I also miss my dad, with whom I played games with.. I'm glad, that there are people like me, who understand..
@nieooj gotoy I swear. This one ratcheted up the nostalgia x 1000. I will always remember up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A,B,SELECT, START forever.
I also miss playing video games with my dad and the whole family
I am missing my dad too 😢
The ending made me weep like a child. Miss you dad. Thanks for buying me Contra and watching me play it
Didn’t think I’d ever cry due to an AVGN video but here we are. Love you grandma. Thanks for taking me to rent Contra. Thank you.
Based grandmother
Oh yes. This episode hit me too.
Your grandma got you addicted too? 😂
@@Rahnonymous My grandmother brought me tomb raider 3 i miss her so much.
Just lost my mom last week and contra was one of my favorite Christmas gifts from her
These positive AVGN reviews are such a rare occurrence that are as valuable as a bar of gold or raw diamond.
They're informative too in a fun way. Some of that Rolfe-passion rubs off onto the Nerd character.
I’d personally say it’s like uncut high grade Jade
One of my favourite videos of his is the Earthbound review, also in a similar tone to this one.
Positive?
I hate to see what YOU’D call negative.
The fact that James still have footages of him as a kid is amazing, and love episodes like these because mostly the games that are nostalgic to The Nerd are also nostalgic to me
The ending is touching. Adding the ending theme of contra makes it even more tear-jerking.
A couple years ago, my father passed away. The day after his funeral I went and played StarTropics for NES, one of our old favorites. When you talked just now about beloved ones watching us play again after they left, I really connected with that. It's that exact feeling, that maybe these games are something to hold on when you need it.
Great video, James. Thank you for the memories.
Im sorry for your loss...
Ditto. May 2020. RIP our fathers.
Remember, your father isn't really gone. He will always be with you! :)
Well I did not expect the last sequence. We do have a connection, but it's deeper than you think: I've been following you since 2006 or something, while attending university, and there you go, I'm watching the lastest episode of the AVGN. Never have I lost a single episode of the AVGN. In my case you also were such an inspiration for creating my own videos, so the connection is even deeper. So I do agree there's a link between all of us thanks to videogames, but as I'm getting older I'm also aware that YOU were and always be such an important part of my happiness.
salve marco il martello
You took the words outta my mouth.
Same thoughts here bro
Been watching since I was 12 and now I’m 26 so I feel the same way. Great video
Attended the university……..
I was not expecting to have such a moment of nostalgia and self-reflection. This video was a true treat.
I'm a 45 year old dude growing up playing arcade games in the 80's and 90's. Even my Contra memories were from what I've experienced in the arcades with my old friends. But no 'arcade channels' evoked all the fond memories I had playing all those games like what James of AVGN did here. All those arcades geeks ever talk about was only technical stuffs like ROMs, chips, motherboards, jamma, PCB, Sanwa buttons, HEPP joysticks, bla, bla, bla... Thank you James!!
It's always nice when James gets chill and sentimental every once in a while
Out of character 🤣👍
@@hermitcard4494 not really. The Nerd is perfectly capable being sentimental and chill. Its just a rare trait we see from the charecter.
That was a little lovely outro you wrote that definitely tore at a lot of people's heart strings & brought back a lot of childhood memories.
Yea, my world stopped for those 2 min. Well done. I don't know what to say, just came out of nowhere.
Ngl it made me a bit emotional.
That outro is exactly what nostalgia is and why it's such a powerful force...
Dude got a stiff mf over here crying over Contra 👏 bravo
It hit me in the feels because I have no more grandparents left, but their love and wisdom are with me forever.
Best review and had me down memory lane. Today May 5th 2010 I lost my mother. But I still remember her buying a used Contra at the local swap meet and how excited I was to play it with my friends growing up. Miss you mom. Thank you Nerd. 😢😊
Must have been lovely times! Am very sorry for your loss.
I also lost my mother in 2010.
@@sibylsaint my condolences still as fresh as ever in mind and heart.
@@JoseHernandez-sq8yh Yep.
The end of this video hit really hard. Thanks for bringing back a part of my childhood, and the memories I made with friends and family.
I'll watch any AVGN ep, but both of the 2022 AVGN videos so far feel better than the nerd has in YEARS. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but it just feels like they're straight from the soul. I'd gladly wait as long as it takes between eps if it's gonna be like this from here on.
James was clearly not into AVGN/the "Nerd character" for a few years. It showed in his work. I think his recent stuff is legitimately the best content he's put out in at least a decade. You're exactly right about soul - the passion is there, just like it was in the old days.
This x 900000000
Cause Justin left.
Seeing contra hard corps getting recognition warms my heart
@@786TGWGH wait who is justin?
My favorite kind of Nerd episodes are the ones where he does retrospectives. I like seeing James gush about stuff he loves.
Like the four-part Castlevaniathon
Or SwordQuest. I wish James would do more.
I honestly teared up with that ending part. Completely nailed how those memories feel like.
he is the master
right there with ya
I played this game as a kid so it hit me really hard in the feels
that ending speech was awesome
/salute.
That ending was so beautiful, talk about tugging at my heartstrings. So many amazing memories are associated with video games. I'm so glad that I've grown up with the evolution of gaming.
People on new games: this game is so cool!
People on old games: our nostalgia!
The positive retrospectives of games that James passionately loves is probably some of my favorite content by him.
I wouldn’t be upset if the next 20 years of AVGN was just this. Thank you James 👾
moment forever , sometimes we might need to remember , no matter how hard and complicated world gets , the a little plastic box made us so happy
So .. as we are getting "old" 😆 Let "Happy Videogame Nerd" will be now ok?
so not being angry
You just don't know how much you just yanked on my heart with the epic ending. My Dad passed away in 2019, and he loved watching me play this game as a kid. R.I.P., Dad, I hope you're watching down over me! Thank you, James! ❤
You can cleary feel James' passion in this video. That ending was simply touching.
It feels odd when James goes from being his AVGN character to James Rolfe. Talking to us in a modest, and sincere way.
To be honest....these are my favourite parts.
AVGN always did this even from the beginning, moments where it's pretty obvious it's James talking instead of the Nerd
455. ;)
The difference between James and the Nerd really is just his presentation isn't it? It's moments like those that really show he's not just an actor playing a character - he's actually just sharing a fun, over-the-top part of his own personality with us.
This was a very touching video. It almost had me crying. I remember my mom watching me play NES. She passed in 2016 and I've had my own son since then but the memories are still there. Thanks Nerd!
There’s so much more passion evident when James is talking about stuff from his childhood.
That ending hit too hard. Thanks once more James, for all the years of nostalgia you bring us
That ending choked me up. This was already a great episode, but that wrapup has instantly made this one of my favorite AVGN episodes!
That's got to be sarcasm right?
something I just said.
Wow! This game seems to really be one of those who got into you deep. Otherwise u wouldn't have made this episode such a BEAUTIFUL ending!
Finally, you became spiritual, Nerd! You accomplished the thing that is the true fate of every real "geek": to become a Chosen One in the end
I got choked up by it, too. But instead of a grandparent, it was a parent.
I'm feeling the same way. That ending have you sitting back and just reflecting on your childhood. Times back then was truly simpler than it is today.
I used to play mega man 2 with my dad. He passed when I was 11 and to this day I still get teary-eyed when I beat it.
Who else initially thought something else when he talked about "beating it' and then realized he meant the game? RIP Lee McWater's dad.
I know that feel. My dad's getting up in years, but whenever we find a Galaga arcade cabinet.. we pop a few quarters in for old times sake.
Rip
I’m sorry for your loss. My condolences. :(
Contra, Mega Man, Super Mario Bros, Castlevania.
By far the greatest game series on NES. In no particular order.
Would've been nice to get a decent third NES contra sequel instead of the crummy one that wasn't even really part of the franchise.
Zelda
James don't ever again forget that YOU are the show. So great to see that when you are doing thing on your way, its real AVGN.
I got a bit teary-eyed there at the end. Felt like a classic AVGN episode.
With less rage
Likewise
There are chopped onions all over the floor where I’m at…
I’M NOT CRYING YOU’RE CRYING!!!!
Ummm what AVGN episode does it remind you of? I don't recall any classic AVGN like this, still great and I really liked it though
say no to the great reset
I remember in an older episode where James talked about waking up and beating Contra right before going to school. Now he explains it more
Nothing beats the feelings of nostalgia I get when I hear that song from the jungle stage
That final message brought me back to my old memories playing 8 bit games enjoying my weekend playing for several hours and nothing matters to me. Great episode, thanks James.
This is, by far, one of the best videos you have made. Because, my Grandmother used to watch me play this for hours. and when i finally beat it without the code we celebrated with dessert. :) Thanks for the memories!
Same but link to the past!
Same for me. Thought it’s the switch collection one. But still awesome!
This feels to me like the perfect transition for an aging Video Game Nerd. A mellowed (if somewhat mildly annoyed when due) Video Game Nerd, remembering the games he liked as a kid. This was a fantastic video.
These retrospectives hit hard. Nostalgia makes me sad sometimes, I lost a lot of people in my life and its bittersweet to call back to these more innocent times. I appreciate the look back.
This really hit home. Im nearly 40 and still trying to chase the nostalgic experience from the 80's. Still gaming, still having LAN's with my friends
That nostalgia will always be there... Just have to search for it once in a while... In a late night
This episode is a perfect example of 'Hes gonna take you back to the past'.
he perfectly defined nostalgia without even tryin
Yea and this one sure wasnt plagerized
@@robd1329 what u mean
I played Contra 3 with my son recently. now he has such a big appreciation for retro games. Makes me tear up seeing him enjoying it as i did as a child. Nostalgia hit hard for me watching this video thanks for the content.
Can’t believe I was playing Contra 1, Mario 1, etc etc back when I was 4/5 years old. Had this n64 compilation pack that had TONS of mango arcade games.
Blessed. 🤘
Also a BIG THANK YOU to anyone who has been involved with any of your projects! THANK YOU Mike Matei and THANK YOU to all the people involved with screenwave!
This episode reminded me that James has become like family to those of us who have been watching for over fifteen years. The love for the NES unites fans.
Video games as whole
Ah so close, I'm 14 years. I've brought shame unto my house.
Didn't expect to cry at the end. I never even owned an NES, but the "grandparent watching you play your favorite videogame" hit home.
Same here. My mom died less than a month ago. This was a bit too much for me right now.
That line broke me too. I was already moved by that whole ending section up to that point, but right there I lost it.
@@VideoDotGoogleDotCom same here man, my mom died on 4th April this year. The outro hits me hard as well.
Same here the tears were flowing
I like it when you get sentimental. The ending speech is so well written and narrated !! So touching, it gets me soooo nostalgic.
I so appreciate James' take on nostalgia. I'm about the same age, so it's very heartwarming to see his photos of growing up in that era. It really takes you back. Thanks for sharing, Nerd!
I was not expecting such a heart felt moment. You’re a skilled story teller.
^ was that a sarcasm?
if you say so@Sarcastic Dude
Wow! The second half of this episode is an exploration of the psychology of nostalgia and I absolutely love it. Way to go, Mr. Nerd! 👍
The ending was touching and heart felt. Sharing a bit of your personal child hood felt like we grew up together. Thank you so much for allowing me to remember as I’m 43 years old. Everything you said of the nostalgic feeling is so true.
This is my favorite episode that you've ever made. I used to have a cat named Petey who's favorite thing to do was to sit with me while I played videogames. Countless upon countless hours spent just sitting in our big gaming chair, where any virtual adventure I went on he was right there with me. That ending speech had me crying a little bit. You always do such amazing work Mr. Rolfe and I look forward to your next video.
RIP Petey
RIP Petey
RIP Petey
Hence why I still keep my old PS2, sometimes I don't remember stuff, but playing those childhoods games always brings me back to those much simpler times
I just lost my dad, so hearing you say the loved ones we've lost are still watching us play was enough to get the waterworks going. Great episode, thank you.
AVGN's been getting more and more mature and sentimental lately, and it's honestly become a much better show for it. From making "peace" with LJN to delivering a heartfelt monologue at the end of this video, it's really endearing to see AVGN go from just a character-based comedy web show to a show with intellectual merit and closure.
It honestly always had intellectual merrit.
A 12 year old kid in 2007 learning about what a coleco vision, vextrex, and commodore 64 is, and the crash of 83? Video game history is history
He's literally always been like that. In 1998 he made a nostalgic retrospective on a film franchise he made only a few years prior called the Snix flicks.
Also AVGN: "gonna get some raaaiinnn! .... Blue pants guy bLUE PANTS GUY HE'S BACK AAOOGGHHH"
that ending brought this grown man to tears, I miss my childhood and gaming with those I have lost contact with or have passed, really awesome video!
You're lucky, coz i don't miss my childhood.
@@BrobjeV nobody asked
That was another age. An age that will never happen again. Even though the golden era is long gone it's still great to remember it, all the memores you made.
What a touching ending.
I would definitely like to see more of these "How I Remember It" segments. We know you played the Junk and we love how you express that, but its also nice to see the games you liked and why.
I agree. This was a great video down memory lane. Even though I never played Contra myself back in the days, my friends and I would often play Midnight Resistance on the Amiga. Similar gameplay, and lots of memories playing the game. Although we never beat it.
Agreed. I'd love to see his take on something like Mega Man X or Super Metroid. Keep these going!
Such a simple AVGN episode but honestly now one of my favorites. Love the passion that James put into this video.
I’ve never played Contra in my childhood. Unfortunately, I didn’t grew up with videogames or at least not at so many years. But this positive review made me cry, remembering my years as a little girl and how even without the videogaming experience, the shared feelings about childhood games and memories felt almost the same.
More wholesome AVGN videos, please. ❤
Its fitting how the best AVGN episode in years ends with James talking about the past. Reminded me of how I found out about AVGN and had to watch all the old episodes and to see some of the new ones too. Pretty weird feeling
Agreed. We all got to share that feeling together.
It helps that it was just James himself writing and directing. With some help from Mike Matei like the old days.
This video was so touching. It was like James came through and introduced himself to us personally. Breaking through as we all are aging and growing up. Mourning lost childhoods while trying to move into the future. Thank you, James... Thanks.
Hello
That ending was freaking beautiful, dude. Got me remembering my childhood, my grandpa, my old friends gathered around playing N64. Really brought me back. You're the best. Period.
You made me cry... didn't expect that. Thanks friends for all the memories
James still has it. That ending reflection was beautifully done.
I remember playing a bootleg cart of this in Lithuania. Even the Iron Curtain could not contain Contra.
How could it, with John Matrix and John Rambo in the cartridge?
@@Til_I_Collapse indeed
The hero we need in our darkest hour. A symbol of hope. It's the AVGN!
The end of this is making me miss my dad. When I was younger, he would surprise me with a new game now and then. Man I miss and love him.
I clicked on the video expecting the typical nerd rage at the difficulty of Contra, but instead I got a brilliant retrospective on the series, as well as a touching reflection on the nature of video games. This is truly one of the best Nerd videos.
I flipped every Contra game except the Sega Hard Corps version.
That outro legitimately took me back 32 years and made me shed a tear. Thank you James
Same here. Really missing my childhood friends on the street I grew up on. :'(
This is, by far, one of the best Avgn episodes I've ever seen. Really made me shed a tear about how times have changed, but no matter how old you're getting, you can still play games, even the bad ones.
I remember playing contra with my lil bro when our grandfather was still there watching us playing.
Not really long ago. I'm 24 now. I was like 10 back then. My bro is 2 year younger.
Our grandfather passed away in when i was 13.
😢
*HUGS*
Tôi tưởng tôi là người việt duy nhất xem AVGN cơ
@@Neymoiiii tui biết đến AVGN cũng hồi nữa sau 2022 thui. Trc toàn xem AJ là chính
@@CaptAoife thanks
@@duyphan4617 tôi biết từ 2019 rồi video đầu tiên của tôi hình như là hong kong 97 ý
That ending montage was so beautiful, maybe one of the most memorable AVGN moments ever for me. Great episode!
I love it when James mixes his own personal history into an AVGN episode.
indeed, i hope we get to see another one of these later in the year, maybe give us his best Zelda memories, as there are a lot of them and we dunno how many James played.
The ending was so powerful. Serious but true. We forget what fun memories we had with a certain game but as soon as we hook that game back up, it's on baby.
So true
That was a really amazing ending. You had me crying here😭😭😭
The ending man... Killer. I was born in '82. Sumed up childhood memories. Awesome.!
Played NES with my Grandparents when I was a kid. One of our favorite games was Contra. I'll never forget those memories of playing Nintendo with them. Hopefully they're still watching me play Nintendo with my son and wife from the great beyond. Great episode and a great ending. Thank you James and crew.
Same here. I played Castlevania with my grandfather. My grandmother wouldn't play it but she told me she liked the music. ❤️
are they dead?
“Do we hold our childhood so dear cause it was better, or just familiar?” That question hits hard
I didn't grow up with the original NES (I'm from a younger generation and am about 16 years younger than James) but I still like to watch people so happily talk about their childhoods memories of a game and relive it through their gameplay. It gives me a fuzzy, endearing feeling I can't explain. Even if I didn't grow up with Contra, I can recognize someone experiencing nostalgia when I see it.
I really enjoyed seeing the nerd so happy and you so full of passion for this series.
Contra 2
_ä
Nutella aka Obdulia
The ending of this..... I literally had to suppress some tears. Born in '82. Felt this, James. Felt this.
81 here, September to be exact.
79 here
‘01. recently lost someone a few months ago. i felt it too
March 1982
July '82, right here.
Loved this so much, the ending hit unexpectedly hard.. So cool to see those old pictures and footage, a real personal touch, keep doing what you do man!
That ending was so touching. Same can be said about your videos, James and crew. They’re just as timeless and brought so many people together.
There’s a whole new saga of AVGN videos waiting for us in a “How I Remember” series. I’m all for it. These have been great!
This ☝️
@@inoshikachokonoyarobakayar2493 Where where?
yes please!!
This is Happy Video Game Nerd
The way I see it is his shows are already like that. Except for the warm & fuzzy outro, of course. I can often tell he grew up with a game because he'll mention some perspective on it that I remember having as a kid. The perspective of a suburban 90s kid whose primary hobby was video games, and if he was lucky, had a VCR in his room. This show is a nostalgia overload for me. It's like he's in my brain sometimes.
It's crazy to see that James was always expressive, even as a kid. His faces are priceless
How is an AVGN episode about Contra giving me a serious case of the feels right now???
Hey dude! Glad to see you're an AVGN fan! We're all hit in the feels right now.
Editing and music
What a millennial thing to type.
@@whosaidthat84 I'm not a fan, but I got "the feels" too 👍
Hey cool, I didn't know Ramsey Dewey is an AVGN fan
I watched my little son play Contra, I remember well. I would ask him, "how do you do that?" He is now a grown man.Years later he taught me to play the newer games, but knew I could never play the retro games. Thanks for reminding me of the simpler times. ♥
Man, what a way to end an episode. This one really feels like it came from the soul. Thanks, James.
Hits me right in the memories. Needed that ending. Great video.
Its crazy, i have the same memory of beating contra before school...its the only game i remember beating that early...i think its awesome we have james to bridge us to the past.
"You die. You learn. You do better."
Exactly why I love games from this era growing up, and why Monster , and Soulsborne are both my favorite series, but masterpieces, as well.
You can still do that, but having the option to skip levels, and having the ability to be immune to damage, and saving the game at the level you left off, makes everything a lot easier.
Same, except I grew up playing those NES, SNES, Megadrive and so on games in the 2000s
I really miss my childhood after watching this episode. Thank you James ❤️
Your last part about family members that are gone, imagining them still with you watching really hit me hard. Beautiful
Never thought I'd see an AVGN that would make me a little misty eyed. This episode is one of the best in recent years and I'd be all for seeing more like it
That ending truly resonates well.
Uhhh... nope.
I'm sobbing like a baby,totally unexpected from his normal content
@@lopezrome1982 +1
From the absolute bottom of my nostalgia addicted, curmudgeon heart…thank you.
Thank you for everything….these videos and you, the Nerd…have gotten as close as anyone ever will to my actual childhood and it’s memories. I will always associate you and these videos with my own thoughts of staying weekends at my grandparents and renting games…the store let you switch once during the weekend and it was fantastic…and staying up all night with my long gone childhood best friend mapping by hand on grid paper the final dungeon in Zelda 1 ….thank you ❤🖤