I’ve written in previous posts about being disappointed by retro games, where the idea of playing something retro just couldn’t hold up to the experience of actually playing retro, but Crash Bandicoot XS shows that if the gameplay is well-honed, any game can be fun no matter how far in the future you play it.

Don’t get me wrong, Nintendo and its various series are some of the most recognizable properties in any domain, but for me, there are just so many other games I’d rather get to, as opposed to playing what is, to me, yet another Mario game.

This should be obvious, but I’ll say it anyway: as much as “open world” is a cliche in 2023, the concept was absolutely mind-blowing when Shenmue was announced, so the idea that you could have your character drink a soda and play some games while avenging his father really was heavy stuff.

“Fuck it, I love video games, they made me really happy as a child, it’s clear to me they still make me happy today, and if I can recapture just a little bit of the joy I felt as a ten year old hanging out with Chris and Matt, then the time and money will be worth it”.