It makes me sad that I will never live those moments again. The 90's were simply amazing. I never owned a console until 2005 so I had to play the N64 at my friends house but those were easily some of the best times of my life.
That jump from 2D to 3D can never be experienced again. Until true blue virtual reality where you are plugged into the game happens, there will never be a bigger jump in video games than what we had. When I saw Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time for the first time I was literally shocked that it could happen.
it is SO awkard and hilarious 🤣 i know for sure i would have done the EXACT same thing I was SO focused one time getting Fallout new vegas ultimate edition that i ignored the clerk talking to me in the store 🤣
I wish I had friends like you two nearby, man. You guys are so damn passionate about video games! It seriously makes me so happy to see a couple of guys nerding out so hard over games in the same way that I do. I remember saving every penny I earned for over a year to buy an N64 when it came out. I was around 12-13 years old at the time, so I mowed a lot of lawns to get the cash I needed. When the console launched, I barely had enough to buy it, so my mom agreed to buy Mario 64 for me as a reward for all my hard work. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I called Wal-mart to make sure they had some in stock, and they had two left. She drove me up there and I almost screamed when I saw the box in the glass cabinet. I opened the boxes in the car on the way home, because I was so excited. Just holding the controller gave me goosebumps! When I got home, I hooked it up to the family TV and I had to wait for my step-dad to finish watching baseball, or Nascar or something before I could play Mario. The wait was soul crushing! But when I finally started it up for the first time... it was a feeling I have never felt before or since. Those were good times, man. Side note: one of my friends had a subscription to Nintendo Power at the time, and they sent out a promotional VHS about the N64 prior to launch. I must've watched that thing over 100 times. You can watch it on RU-vid if you're interested. They flew three gamers out to the Nintendo HQ. Anyway, I've been watching your videos lately and I recently subbed, so I wanted to leave this comment and say I love your content. :)
One of my good friend was a Sega Guy from the Master System to Genesis and Game Gear... As soon as the Saturn Launched he decided to skip it and waited the Launch of N64 and I was like whaaaaaaaaaat, you are a Sega Guy and you are skipping the Saturn???? I never knew what was the reason to decide not to get it, but anyhow the anticipation for him to have this system was awesome I remember reading magazines about the system and the Mario 64 and I was like wow Nintendo is gonna blow it out of the water this time, I was enjoying the anticipation with my friend.... As soon as he got the system and game I visit his house I think around a month after and watching him play the game I was so amazed by the graphics and gameplay I said this is the next generation of gaming... That particular holiday season in Puerto Rico every neighborhood was blasting the TV up hi and playing the game I said man how much I envy those kids hehehe, but never got me the N64 and decided on the next holiday for my parents to get me a PlayStation instead and I personally never regret it even though I felt an awesome connection to the N64 I felt I made the right choice with PS1 playing Crash Bandicoot oh man what a game and so many rentals at Blockbusters and Video Ave. Great times...
@@faceduro6719 yea man. I was fortunate enough to have both but I did have the n64 first. I favored my playstation after I had gotten that but oh man being able to play mario 64 was amazing. I was very fortunate for having my parents let me have both systems. Very good people.
I remember I'd go up to blockbuster after it first came out. They had a system out people could play and I had that same feeling. I'd play it as long as I could. Mom would sometimes ask where I was. We had no money and idk how she did it at the time but she managed to get me one and mario. Thanks Mom...
I love hearing you guys talk with such passion and historical context :) I just missed this little era in gaming, as my first console was the n64, but hearing you guys talk like this gets me all fired up about loving games more and more :)
Came back to this after the top 10 moments video...had me cracking up! I got the N64 for my birthday one year and it blew me away. It wasn't at release, in fact I think it was a year or so after it had been out...but man, I got like three or maybe four games with it: Super Mario 64, Diddy Kong Racing, and STAR FOX 64 were there for sure. Star Fox was the game that had me the most giddy. Of course, they were all amazing and revolutionary. What a time for games!
This is great. I remember when the n64 was new and I walked into my cousins house and they were playing Mario 64. I couldn't believe it. I honestly get butterflies in my stomach if I think about it enough. That is a feeling that I would love to experience again. I was about 10 at the time and now 20 years later I have yet to experience that same level of joy with video games. I still love them but they haven't been quite able to bring me to that level.
When you said how you just said "no..." to that dude that wanted it back... That is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. Literally. Love the memory videos btw, my favorite from you.
Gaming in the 90s was a major part of my childhood. Friendships were based around gaming. Thank you for sharing your stories. They are very much appreciated.
You guys are awesome. I can completely relate to you both with your love of video games and the nostalgia introduced by them. Just watching you guys talk about it brings me back to the same exact emotions.
Hey Johnny, I almost never leave comments anywhere, but I just listened to you on The Retro Hour, and I gotta say you rule. Your whole take on video games and memories and nostalgia and emotions and the whole trip is so so refreshing in the nerd space where everyone seems angry and super critical all the time. I've been watching a lot of your vids and you've been stoking me out and bringing me back to some rad places in space and time, and I just wanted to say thanks and keep up the killer work.
Really love the "memories" videos between you and Rob. Being around the same age it makes me think of all the awesome times my friends and I had playing games growing up.
I was more hyped for the Nintendo 64 and Super Mario 64 than for anything before or since.. And even with that massive hype, it still managed to meet and exceed all of my expectations. I freaking loved that game!
6 months into the pandemic and going through all the videos since video 1, got to this one, i laughed so much at that story of not giving the mario64 back i think it made me immune
Loved Super Mario 64, but I have so much nostalgia for Super Mario Sunshine. I never grew up with Super Mario 64, so when gamecube came out, I got Super Mario Sunshine in like 2nd grade. When it came to 3rd grade, I would have my friend come over every weekend and we would get a few stars each day. So many memories with this game. I still don't get why a lot of people dislike this game so much. It's honestly one of my favorite games of all time.
Seeing this for the second or third time. You’re are the only ones I’ve heard who seem to really be able to articulate the feelings I had about this game at the time. It brought the wonderful memories back & made me feel them all again. I hardly ever experience this nowadays so thanks a million. Going to play it on my CRT later - exactly the same setup I had back in the day.
This makes me both happy and sa at thhe same time. Seeing you to talk about this particular experience makes me jelous that I was born in 93 and is to young to remember the launch of the nintendo 64. Fantastic episode! :)
I totally understand "your moment". I am the same way. I didn't think anyone else understood but I'm glad to hear you guys have to be alone to unbox your new consoles as well.
I loved how he was just ruthless in not letting him play. That's so sad but to be young at that age is understandable. Been binge watching your entire content. More memory stories please!!!
Never forgot how it felt when I got this game for the first time... Just watching my big brother play the game all day without letting me even touch the controller. Fun times.
I'm 24 now, this was the first game I owned, and played, and it is still my N1 fav. game! I remember back then, I was so happy with just like 4-5 games on my N64, I didn't need more games. Those days were FIRE! A lot of great memories, had to sell my N64, I'm planning to get the DS Version, since it's waaay better to play it on 3DS with the Circle Pad! Thanks guys, great vid!
OH man I remember exactly where I was as a kid when I first saw the N64 and Mario. I just happened to be at Ontario Place one day for some reason, I don't even remember. I went into some building and they had a row of at least 10, probably more, N64s behind glass, hooked up to demo (like how they do at EB), running Mario 64. I waited my turn, got to play, lost my shit. It was awesome.
Great game and the N64 is probably my favorite system of all time. To this day nothing is more fun than sitting around with some friends and playing MarioKart 64. It's an insanely good time. :)
I ordered my N64 thru the mail as soon as it came out along with Mario 64. I was eagerly counting the days when the deliveryman arrived with my package and I went thru the roof with happiness when I finally got it after a couple weeks.
You guys are awesome! Once again, sweet video. You tell the best stories on gaming RU-vid. Thanks for sharing, man. I think Super Mario 64 was a game that, in its time, we ALL were sharing it together as we were playing it separately, alone, across from our tube TVs, in complete awe and amazement. That game united gamers worldwide. What a gem.
I positively love the chemistry between you two; you make it so interesting and passionate, I expect the same shunning with the release of the next gen consoles!
I remember seeing my cousin play it first. He had an NES but never owned an SNES so he always played when he was at our house. He beat us to the 3D age tho and I will always remember seeing him playing SM64 after watching the commercials and wanting to play it so badly. The jump to 3D with SM64, you couldn't even imagine unless you lived it.
This video brings back some fond memories of my childhood. Had a similar episode when i got my hands on my Sega Genesis. Thanks for this video, i had a smile on my face the whole time.
Man, your stories getting better and better. I'm having so much fun watching this, while at the same time trying link it with my own memories.. it's so enjoyable, thank you guys for sharing those incredible nice memories, moments and stories with me. I feel honored, thank you!!!
Born in 92 the N64 is the first console I personally owned. Got it for Christmas with Mario 64 and Goldeneye.. Good memories it's definitely what got me into gaming. I played other consoles and games before it but owning this personally made all the difference.. Needless to say I had all the neighbor kids over all the time playing. Also played the shit out of Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, Smash Bros, Starfox, Mischeif Makers, Mortal Kombat, Wayne Gretzky Hockey.. Damn those were the times
This game is still without competition, my favorite game of all time. I remember the first time I saw Super Mario 64 and got to play it. Man was I amazed by this game. At the time i had never seen anything quite like it. I mean at that time I had the NES and had played all the other Mario games on there and on the SNES. So for me, the jump to 3D graphics in a Mario game was absolutely stunning. Oh those memories.
I TOTALLY FORGOT that the game controllers were released for a short time even before the system came out. A lot of us had read about the "3-handed controller", and when it was on shelves before the system, all you could do was wonder about the playing experience. But Mario for the first time in 3D though.... What year was that, 1996? That was also the same year hype was building for Square's new 3D FINAL FANTASY!!! (# vii) . What a really exciting year that was. I mean try to imagine what it would be like to videogame in 4D! You can't.....and that's exactly how exciting it was playing games in 3D after playing them in 2D for as long as you could remember.
I fucking love this!! This is the second video I watch from this channel (pervious one was the Super Famicom vs SNES) and I loved both videos so much. I've been watching a ton of gaming channels on RU-vid lately but I see more "humanity" and realness in your videos than all the other channels. I love it. I totally relate to "the religious group experience" you guys had with the imported N64. It was very much like that for me and my family when I first got the console and the game. So good.
Love this episode. It brings back my own memories of picking up my N64 with my best friend. Absolutely love it, the console, tne memories of all night gaming, just fantastic. Easily my favorite console ever. I still play it now! Goldeneye, Mariokart 64, Turok 2 & Banjo Kazooie are still in my top 10 of all time!!
I remember having a promotional VHS tape for N64 that I got for subscribing to Nintendo Power. It featured Super Mario 64 and I watched it about 50 times ... I was so excited to play this game!
The story of jacking the guy’s games at EB and also the vision of Rob and Andy waiting at the window like dogs when you bring it home made me laugh out loud! Man I remember the anticipation for the N64. It was the most groundbreaking video game event ever I’d say. I remember Walmart had a demo system setup in my town and I’d beg my mom to take me there to play Mario before it came out. It was absolutely incredible. The only thing I can compare it to is maybe getting the PSVR and playing that for the first time. But it really didn’t come close to N64.
This brings me back to being a kid, now I was 2 years old when the N64 came out so I've never felt that gap the same way people who were actually old enough to remember launch were, but I remember the year my sister got the n64 for christmas when I was 5 and I remember how big of a deal it was for me back then having played super nintendo, and I remember her not letting me play it because she thought I would break it or whatever being the 5 year old that I was. I have fond memories of sneaking into her room when she wasn't there and playing banjo kazooie and mario 64 even though I knew she would find out and freak out at me, it was totally worth it.
I used to go to Willow all the time, the original.. right by Willowbrook Mall in Langley. So many memories of renting games, playing the coin ops like TMNT, Robocop, Mercs. they also had a dope mini golf course where you could win a free game rental if you aced the final hole...good times.
The N64 was a huge moment for me. I also did the ''shunning'' when some friends came over to play and I didn't let them in, I wanted it all for myself, LOL. I played mario 64 to death, getting the 120 stars. This and playing Ocarina of time are probably my biggest memories. Thanks for the great video and bringing back some fond times of mine.
Hahaha, Awesome story! You guys always manage to capture the energy and excitement perfectly with your 'memories' videos. Thanks for taking me back again.
I remember renting it before it was out. Japanese ver of course. I couldn't read any of it but it didn't matter. The feeling of it was incredible and I haven't felt that since.
shit and i thought i was bad, packing my video games system, away back in the box, the way it was, it had 2 be perfect, or i would fuss over how good, i would pack it away, even after every video game longplay's i do, this channel is super good.
It's so enthralling to watch the two of you reminisce, as if I can really feel the same feelings you guys felt just through your expressions and descriptions alone. I don't know what it is about your videos, Johnny, but they're just so... personal. Maybe I sound like a weirdo but it's awesome. I never got to experience what the launch of the 64 was like, and watching this is almost like experiencing it myself :P
man so many hours with my cousins jake and tori playing this game when we were 6-10 eating fudge rounds and just running around exploring the levels :') no game is more nostalgic then super Mario 64!
I love stories like these. The N64 was badass for the time. It's a shame I didn't get very much out of it due to the PC and PSX taking up my playing time. I'll always remember that great launch. I still think Ultra 64 is a much better name.
I remember back in '97 getting this for my birthday.. as a youngster back then going from SMW to SM64 blow away what little brain I had!! I couldn't let go of the controller for a second I was too hooked on it..
Loved this episode, you guys brought back a lot of awesome N64 memories... Thank You for that, now I'm going to pop this on my console and relive some of them
"That was the best episode I think we've done" - I'll have to agree. I have my own memories of the N64 system and Mario 64 launch. I still sit down and play it from time to time, hunting them stars and getting carried away by the wonderful soundtrack. I love it how your true passion and genuine love for the game carries this episode and I get the feeling you could talk about this for hours. Thank you so much for this video, I love it. Have a good one!
haha great stories! My favourite Mario all time! My brother bought the N64 and Mario 64 at launch. Like he always did! Before i could get the money for one. Funny thing is he loves gaming,but he wasn't very good. But i always was good at everything i tried most of the time. game related and sports. SO he used to just sit and watch me play most of the time. So i got to play Mario 64 80% of the 1st sitting! it was amazing. He also got Dreamcast,Playstation,Xbox before me. funny thing was, i was never going to get the Xbox, loved playstation! and thought thats all i needed at the time? Boy was i wrong But once he came home with it and we played HALO! That was it man. i was instantly hooked. and HALO has been the Holy Grail of gaming to me since! I still go back and played most Halo games and get all gaga about them.
I was a little kid in the mid-90s and and my parents bought our family a used SNES with about 10 games right around the time that the N64 came out. My brother and I played a ton of Super Mario World and loved that system, but then I remember when Target had a store kiosk of Super Mario 64 and how it BLEW MY MIND to see Mario in 3D.
