He did things with Board James that really should happen with AVGN. Progress the Nerd character once, and that would be a great start. Just own your age, James -- we'll all be there eventually.
Yeah, do something with the hair James. I'm about a year or two younger than him and I get it, sucks to have your hair fall out but we're like 40. Just own it.
Board James is a perfect example of what Cinnemasscre used to be. A bunch of old friends getting together having fun and enjoying nostalgia goofing around.
I’m surprised that the episode where they played James’ real hand-drawn board games from his childhood didn’t get a mention. That episode always seemed so genuine and nostalgic, even though it was games that obviously don’t exist to buy that anyone would remember. James and Mike have always been good at capturing that genuine nostalgia feeling
Happy Video Game Nerd entered a contest, the same one Irate Gamer entered, and thats how he got the "Happy Video Game Nerd" persona. He used it for a while but later went and rebranded. I don't think James Rolfe was ever too annoyed with him, but its been years so I might not be remembering some beef.
He and Derek (or Derrick?) were/are actually friends. He used to shout out HVGN at conventions and panels and stuff sometimes. Irate Gamer is just a hack. I still can’t stand him.
Every time I see retrospectives like this, people mention that back in the day James was funnier, and he hadn't lost his passion. While I think that's a part of it? I think Mike was a way bigger influence than people give him credit for. I really truly think that Mike leaving ripped out some of the soul of Cinemassacre, because despite James portraying the AVGN? Mike *is* the AVGN. That potty humor, the anger, the love of gaming, etc? That's basically who Mike is, but played up for laughs. I do still love Board James though. It'll always be my fav Cinemassacre series and I'm glad it ended instead of being run into the ground.
@@DancingwithGhosts Yeah, I can't even blame him. But I wish he had more interesting projects like Board James in him still. Maybe once his kids start getting a bit older, who knows lol. Also neat I'll have to check that podcast out ❤
Good review, I'm glad you enjoyed the episodes. They went so much better along with all the other nostalgia content of the era. You might appreciate Mike n Bootsy videos if you hadn't checked those out.
Derek bit James' clout because Screwattack ran a contest called something like "Outnerd the nerd" and he won. It was supposed to be just like AVGN. Then the show kinda took off and Derek ran with it.
I also didn't watch it back then but caught up with it like some years ago. The contrast to current cinemassacre output couldn't be more stark. In Board James what immediately struck me was the FUN and passion I could feel from James and especially once Mike entered the show. It was a pretty neat little show at that point. And once Bootsy joined it was just perfect. It's really James' best work imho and it's really interesting to compare the later episodes to the AVGN movie. Whereas the movie might have better vfx, some of the later Board James episodes have way better cinematography and atmosphere.
I think many of us look back fondly on Board James because it's a glimpse into an alternate reality of what Cinemassacre could have become. It's really the only non-AVGN thing that James ever produced that's worth watching. Bootsy steals the show with his charisma and gives the series a fun hang-out vibe. His jingles imitating 80s/90s commercials are total earworms. Plus, it uses nostalgia in service to the plot rather than just the cheap, "Hey, remember this thing from when you were young?" exploitation that later became Cinemassacre's calling card.
I remember as a kid i watched only his monster madness videos but it wasnt until 2014 when i was 13 is when i watched avgn and board james and of course i enjoyed them i love avgn but board james is a very interesting series
From what I remember, he first made Board James, because he just wanted to make a video, about the mouse trap board game, and there was no bigger plans back then, and he wanted to get away from the Nerd for a while.
I'm 43 and absolutely cannot abide watching videos of ppl playing video games...except Mike Matei. I watch all his gameplay vids. He reminds me of how I played games as a kid
At the time, I really appreciated the explanation and 'review' so to speak of the board games they were playing, more so than any form of story. It actually got me motivated to play one of those crazy dice roll D&D type games that I found at a second hand shop with a friend. When it got into the really heavy story driven stuff, that's when I lost interest.
I loved Board James, I remember when the first Board James episode came out, I liked how he was trying something new. At that point, the nerd was starting to get a bit old, at least to me.
I used to really dislike Mike in the early Nerd episodes but I started to like him more when they did James & Mike Mondays. These days I probably like him more than James because he has a lot more personality. Cinemassacre definitely went downhill in watchability ever since Mike and James had a falling out. Board James was ok. I like that he experimented wioth it but overall it wasn't what I tuned in for. I really enjoyed the time period when he did Rental Reviews. James is passionate about movies and I enjoyedt he conversational nature of the show. Hack The Movies just doesn't resonate with me in the same way. Possibly because I'm closer to James' age wheras Tony seems to cater to a younger crowd. Gotta give the guy credit though, AVGN inspired a lot of who are creating content today.
james should reboot board james with the slobs with caveman kieran coming up with caveman ideas while ryan conducts the electrons into a symphony that sounds like fall out boys but not as good.
I've always wondered who Bootsy was. All the people say they miss him and I've been watching since 2006 and I never knew who he was. I stopped watching after the double vision episode (actually a really good episode, nothing to do with quality, just stopped checking my bookmarks). Never watched board James. Love me some board games but I could not sit through the first few episodes even back then. I like strategy and tactical shit, not plastic balls flying everywhere shit.
that was my first reaction as well, but like i said in the video, about half of the episodes are good and the other half are boring and not worth watching
I never cared for Bootsy. He gets a lot of love from certain fans (especially “fans” that just hate James Rolfe at this point) because he’s actually really, really good at difficult video games. Anyway, Bootsy apparently left over a dispute with Screenwave and, by extension, James. He’s openly bitter about it and has perhaps unknowingly fed quite a bit into the whole toxic “Cinemassacre Truth” discourse. Honestly, I never found him particularly charismatic, funny, or entertaining. If he got screwed over, that really sucks, but I honestly don’t care for him and find his weird elevation by fans to be annoying and almost inherently toxic now.
I actually liked the opposite of you. I didnt like the dark turn the show went. It just felt like james wants to make low budget horror movies but feels the only way anyone will watch them if he puts it into his content.
Great work! I wasn't the biggest fan of Board James, but it was nice to see him bring some variety to the channel. And yes, a lot of it is cringe and was even back then. I had the opposite reaction to the amateur psychological horror turn the series took, I hated it. It took a simple video series and clouded it with a needlessly complicated storyline. I enjoy the Dream Phone episode but turn it off when they get to the horror parts because it's so boring. I can't even make it through a minute of the Mr. Bucket video. I also noticed the L. Ron Hubbard books in your background. Have those always been there? Are you just a fan of the books or is there anything more to that?
thanks! if the videos had JUST been the guys playing board games it definitely wouldn't have held my interest. As far as the books I am kind of obsessed with the cult of Scientology. I've read all the books by people who've left the church. It's one of the only active major cults left in the world so it's fun to see what crazy thing they'll do next.
@@DancingwithGhosts Nice! I like reading up on cults too, it's fascinating. I especially like reading about Aum Shinrikyo. My girlfriend has a friend who is deep into Scientology, we're celebrating her b-day this weekend. You would never know she's in the church when you first meet her but she used to live in that blue building they have in LA and formatted a lot of their propaganda. She's given me some literature and swears it's not a cult. But just get her talking about psychiatry and why she's expected to buy every edition of Hubbard's books and I beg to differ, lol.
@@StopDropRetro ahhh man the nerd in me wishes i could talk to that person lol.. i wanna play dumb and have her try to convert me 😂 i wish i knew a scientoligist ... it's so fascinating how a seemingly logical human being can conform to such an unorthodox belief system
My friend sent me the Crossfire clip. I thought it was stupid until Mike started yelling "CROSSFIRE" and stealing balls. Spoiler alert, I guess? Mike is a MFer.
@@DancingwithGhosts Ah that makes sense, no problem. Still though, great review of board James. I’ve subscribed and been watching a lot of your other vids, keep up the good work!
@@electro3086 He was funny and entertaining enough in the board james episodes he was in. Also, simping is a word for male to female worship. You sound like a damn idiot when you use wrong terminology.
@@RaZeRbLaDeZ Simping means alot of things. Guess you just got a GED and dyed your hair, found ur mommas basement and making videos, huh? Nice try kid. I'll enjoy watching you fall into a deep depression as it eats your life away 😉
![I Rank Every AVGN : Worst 7 Ever! [Every F- Grade Ep]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/g6s3VLPeSkU/mqdefault.jpg)
He did things with Board James that really should happen with AVGN. Progress the Nerd character once, and that would be a great start. Just own your age, James -- we'll all be there eventually.
yeah i agree
Yeah, do something with the hair James. I'm about a year or two younger than him and I get it, sucks to have your hair fall out but we're like 40. Just own it.
Shit, most of us OG fans are right there with him...Kids, Wives, Balding.....
also, coming from another guy who went bald, own the baldness
Board James is a perfect example of what Cinnemasscre used to be. A bunch of old friends getting together having fun and enjoying nostalgia goofing around.
Exactly
First
I’m surprised that the episode where they played James’ real hand-drawn board games from his childhood didn’t get a mention. That episode always seemed so genuine and nostalgic, even though it was games that obviously don’t exist to buy that anyone would remember.
James and Mike have always been good at capturing that genuine nostalgia feeling
Bootsy mike and james is the best combo. That and the horror vibe is so awesome. It's amazing honestly.
Happy Video Game Nerd entered a contest, the same one Irate Gamer entered, and thats how he got the "Happy Video Game Nerd" persona. He used it for a while but later went and rebranded. I don't think James Rolfe was ever too annoyed with him, but its been years so I might not be remembering some beef.
im sure james was used to people biting off his style at that point
He and Derek (or Derrick?) were/are actually friends. He used to shout out HVGN at conventions and panels and stuff sometimes. Irate Gamer is just a hack. I still can’t stand him.
Every time I see retrospectives like this, people mention that back in the day James was funnier, and he hadn't lost his passion.
While I think that's a part of it? I think Mike was a way bigger influence than people give him credit for. I really truly think that Mike leaving ripped out some of the soul of Cinemassacre, because despite James portraying the AVGN? Mike *is* the AVGN. That potty humor, the anger, the love of gaming, etc? That's basically who Mike is, but played up for laughs.
I do still love Board James though. It'll always be my fav Cinemassacre series and I'm glad it ended instead of being run into the ground.
too bad the nerd can't end it already.. and yeah we covered everything you said on the redcow podcast i did
@@DancingwithGhosts Yeah, I can't even blame him. But I wish he had more interesting projects like Board James in him still. Maybe once his kids start getting a bit older, who knows lol.
Also neat I'll have to check that podcast out ❤
James was the guy that came up with the ideas of AVGN and Board James.
Good review, I'm glad you enjoyed the episodes. They went so much better along with all the other nostalgia content of the era. You might appreciate Mike n Bootsy videos if you hadn't checked those out.
I'm glad I watched this, 'cause I feel like I missed a few of those episodes..You always do a good job narrating your videos!
Derek bit James' clout because Screwattack ran a contest called something like "Outnerd the nerd" and he won. It was supposed to be just like AVGN. Then the show kinda took off and Derek ran with it.
Enjoyed your even handed commentary on this
It was cool seeing them come out live, every few weeks or so
I also didn't watch it back then but caught up with it like some years ago. The contrast to current cinemassacre output couldn't be more stark. In Board James what immediately struck me was the FUN and passion I could feel from James and especially once Mike entered the show. It was a pretty neat little show at that point. And once Bootsy joined it was just perfect.
It's really James' best work imho and it's really interesting to compare the later episodes to the AVGN movie. Whereas the movie might have better vfx, some of the later Board James episodes have way better cinematography and atmosphere.
I think many of us look back fondly on Board James because it's a glimpse into an alternate reality of what Cinemassacre could have become. It's really the only non-AVGN thing that James ever produced that's worth watching. Bootsy steals the show with his charisma and gives the series a fun hang-out vibe. His jingles imitating 80s/90s commercials are total earworms. Plus, it uses nostalgia in service to the plot rather than just the cheap, "Hey, remember this thing from when you were young?" exploitation that later became Cinemassacre's calling card.
I remember as a kid i watched only his monster madness videos but it wasnt until 2014 when i was 13 is when i watched avgn and board james and of course i enjoyed them i love avgn but board james is a very interesting series
He’s gonna take you back to the past
To when James’ videos didn’t suck ass.
lol
🤣
It was entertaining for its time. When Board James started, fans enjoyed most of what came out on Cinemassacre.
Great video and I love that Mega Man shirt! Bootsy was hilarious in this series.
From what I remember, he first made Board James, because he just wanted to make a video, about the mouse trap board game, and there was no bigger plans back then, and he wanted to get away from the Nerd for a while.
man that part where he hits that upgraded music and walks into the nerd room is pretty awesome. I wish Rex Viper music sounded like that.
somebody more talented probably made that
I'm 43 and absolutely cannot abide watching videos of ppl playing video games...except Mike Matei. I watch all his gameplay vids. He reminds me of how I played games as a kid
im just glad you used the word 'abide' in a sentence.. gives me the Lebowski vibes
@@DancingwithGhosts the dude does in fact abide
I agree, Mike has a great personality too. My problem is he only streams live on twitch which I don't use and his RUclips videos are prerecorded.
At the time, I really appreciated the explanation and 'review' so to speak of the board games they were playing, more so than any form of story. It actually got me motivated to play one of those crazy dice roll D&D type games that I found at a second hand shop with a friend. When it got into the really heavy story driven stuff, that's when I lost interest.
Three words…
“One. TUHWhooo. Three.”
😂😂😂😂😂
Hey good stuff man, keep it up lol
thanks!
Please do more content like this
every now and then i'll shit out some AVGN related content
My favourite is the Crossfire episode!
My kids and I loved board games. My bucket and dream phone baby!
I loved Board James, I remember when the first Board James episode came out, I liked how he was trying something new. At that point, the nerd was starting to get a bit old, at least to me.
Dream phone may be his best work.
I recently just rewatched his classic Atari 5200 episode and realized, sadly, we will never see this type of content again
Now watch all the cinemassacre podcasts and review them.
yeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh nawwwwwwwwwww that sounds hellacious
Is this guy's character a 2009 Scene Girl from Hot Topic
i donno, is that what you're into cuz yer pretty hot
I used to really dislike Mike in the early Nerd episodes but I started to like him more when they did James & Mike Mondays. These days I probably like him more than James because he has a lot more personality. Cinemassacre definitely went downhill in watchability ever since Mike and James had a falling out.
Board James was ok. I like that he experimented wioth it but overall it wasn't what I tuned in for.
I really enjoyed the time period when he did Rental Reviews. James is passionate about movies and I enjoyedt he conversational nature of the show. Hack The Movies just doesn't resonate with me in the same way. Possibly because I'm closer to James' age wheras Tony seems to cater to a younger crowd.
Gotta give the guy credit though, AVGN inspired a lot of who are creating content today.
Mike and James didn’t have a falling out. Believe it or not, people can part ways professionally and still be friends.
james should reboot board james with the slobs with caveman kieran coming up with caveman ideas while ryan conducts the electrons into a symphony that sounds like fall out boys but not as good.
lmao wutttt
I've always wondered who Bootsy was. All the people say they miss him and I've been watching since 2006 and I never knew who he was. I stopped watching after the double vision episode (actually a really good episode, nothing to do with quality, just stopped checking my bookmarks). Never watched board James. Love me some board games but I could not sit through the first few episodes even back then. I like strategy and tactical shit, not plastic balls flying everywhere shit.
that was my first reaction as well, but like i said in the video, about half of the episodes are good and the other half are boring and not worth watching
He did those too
I never cared for Bootsy. He gets a lot of love from certain fans (especially “fans” that just hate James Rolfe at this point) because he’s actually really, really good at difficult video games. Anyway, Bootsy apparently left over a dispute with Screenwave and, by extension, James. He’s openly bitter about it and has perhaps unknowingly fed quite a bit into the whole toxic “Cinemassacre Truth” discourse. Honestly, I never found him particularly charismatic, funny, or entertaining. If he got screwed over, that really sucks, but I honestly don’t care for him and find his weird elevation by fans to be annoying and almost inherently toxic now.
I get the feeling you like mega man?
"Hey remember Dragon strike, me neither"! 😂 Dying!
I actually liked the opposite of you. I didnt like the dark turn the show went. It just felt like james wants to make low budget horror movies but feels the only way anyone will watch them if he puts it into his content.
Yeah.. he probably didn't know who the guy that won the outnerd the nerd contest was. Sneaky bastard.
Great work!
I wasn't the biggest fan of Board James, but it was nice to see him bring some variety to the channel. And yes, a lot of it is cringe and was even back then.
I had the opposite reaction to the amateur psychological horror turn the series took, I hated it. It took a simple video series and clouded it with a needlessly complicated storyline. I enjoy the Dream Phone episode but turn it off when they get to the horror parts because it's so boring. I can't even make it through a minute of the Mr. Bucket video.
I also noticed the L. Ron Hubbard books in your background. Have those always been there? Are you just a fan of the books or is there anything more to that?
thanks! if the videos had JUST been the guys playing board games it definitely wouldn't have held my interest. As far as the books I am kind of obsessed with the cult of Scientology. I've read all the books by people who've left the church. It's one of the only active major cults left in the world so it's fun to see what crazy thing they'll do next.
@@DancingwithGhosts Nice! I like reading up on cults too, it's fascinating. I especially like reading about Aum Shinrikyo.
My girlfriend has a friend who is deep into Scientology, we're celebrating her b-day this weekend. You would never know she's in the church when you first meet her but she used to live in that blue building they have in LA and formatted a lot of their propaganda. She's given me some literature and swears it's not a cult. But just get her talking about psychiatry and why she's expected to buy every edition of Hubbard's books and I beg to differ, lol.
@@StopDropRetro ahhh man the nerd in me wishes i could talk to that person lol.. i wanna play dumb and have her try to convert me 😂 i wish i knew a scientoligist ... it's so fascinating how a seemingly logical human being can conform to such an unorthodox belief system
I didn’t like the Board James series either. I’ve only seen the Mr Bucket and Loopin’ Louie episodes.
My friend sent me the Crossfire clip. I thought it was stupid until Mike started yelling "CROSSFIRE" and stealing balls. Spoiler alert, I guess? Mike is a MFer.
yeah him and bootsy really got to shine on these board james episodes
I always thought horror movies were really stupid and boring.
Lmao "sperging out"
damn this dude only watched AVGN lol
that and ''you know what's bullllllsssshittt"
Good video though I'm surprised with you being a musician, not mentioning Bootsy's original compositions for the episodes. Bootsy is a talented dude.
i didn't realize until after the video that bootsy did the music unfortunately
@@DancingwithGhosts Ah that makes sense, no problem. Still though, great review of board James. I’ve subscribed and been watching a lot of your other vids, keep up the good work!
@@np4231 thank you greatly appreciated
Watch any and all episodes with bootsy
Yall some Boosie simps. He really wasnt that great
@@electro3086 He was funny and entertaining enough in the board james episodes he was in. Also, simping is a word for male to female worship. You sound like a damn idiot when you use wrong terminology.
@@RaZeRbLaDeZ Simping means alot of things. Guess you just got a GED and dyed your hair, found ur mommas basement and making videos, huh? Nice try kid. I'll enjoy watching you fall into a deep depression as it eats your life away 😉
@@electro3086
Seriously. He’s really good at NES games, I’ll give him that, but I always thought he was really lame.