Angry Nintendo Nerd

[grandcross]

Nice bump out of nowhere.

 

I've been watching James' videos since I saw his TMNT review in '06 and I love all of them. The two things I like most about them is that he's very elaborate and constructive with his reviews and that you can really relate with him on how bad some of the games he plays, even if you never played them. His console reviews piqued my interest in them and I eventually went and bought some old school consoles and games. I think he's a pretty cool down-to-earth guy in general and I respect him.

 

It seems people who hate him take him too seriously though. It's missing the point entirely - his reviews are satirical and aren't meant to be taken seriously. He doesn't actually hate most the games he reviews - he might like a few of them. And yeah, he swears. Big deal. Doesn't hurt me at all, and I don't see why it should hurt anyone else. The fact that he swears isn't why he's funny either.

 

It's fine if you hate him and his reviews, that's your opinion, but I think some people don't really get the idea behind it.

 

Also, James isn't just the AVGN, he's a die-hard fan of movies and you can tell his passion for them in all of his movie reviews and movies he makes. His Rocky documentary (above post) is terrific and it shows he's very thorough and thoughtful about the things he loves. I can't bring myself to hate a guy like him, quite frankly.

[Blues_Bloody]

It's fine if you hate him and his reviews, that's your opinion, but I think some people don't really get the idea behind it.

 

I think most people that don't dig him do get the idea behind it and that's what annoys them. It seems more often than not he will purposely not learn how to play a game or blow stuff out of proportion ( like the 5200 review) just to take the piss out of it and say a bunch of wacky cuss words. It's pretty shallow, obnoxious humor and alot of people love shallow, obnoxious humor. But alot of people don't. Just because someone doesn't like his videos, doesn't necessarily mean they don't "get it" or are jealous. They, like me, simply don't dig his sthick. And really, is it so hard not to understand why some retro gamers wouldn't like a drunk guy that cusses like a 8th grader at games and systems that aren't as a bad as he is making them to be?

[grandcross]

It's fine if you hate him and his reviews, that's your opinion, but I think some people don't really get the idea behind it.

 

I think most people that don't dig him do get the idea behind it and that's what annoys them. It seems more often than not he will purposely not learn how to play a game or blow stuff out of proportion ( like the 5200 review) just to take the piss out of it and say a bunch of wacky cuss words. It's pretty shallow, obnoxious humor and alot of people love shallow, obnoxious humor. But alot of people don't. Just because someone doesn't like his videos, doesn't necessarily mean they don't "get it" or are jealous. They, like me, simply don't dig his sthick. And really, is it so hard not to understand why some retro gamers wouldn't like a drunk guy that cusses like a 8th grader at games and systems that aren't as a bad as he is making them to be?

 

So people who hate him understand that it's satirical and it's not meant to be taken seriously? They know he's bashing games/consoles/etc for sheer entertainment? Then there's really no reason why people should take him and his reviews seriously, is there?

 

I get that people may not find him funny, that they don't really accept his humor. To dislike/hate him is another story. I mean, "AVGN" is a character, and isn't really what James Rolfe is. To hate the videos or to hate the man, there's a difference. Then again, I'm kinda just rambling here.

 

I've read on a couple threads of people mentioning his Atari 5200 review. If people understood his reviews, they'd realize that part of the whole thing is about taking everything remotely "bad" about a game or console and exaggerating it. That's why he had almost nothing positive to say about the console, because that's not what he does. And yet, people mention his review as though they're taking what he says to heart. That's why I say they're not getting the idea. I'd also like to mention that it's because of his 5200 review that I looked into the 5200 and eventually ended up buying one about two years later. I learned from him that it's a console that may have problems (concerning the controllers) but it's not too bad aside from it.

 

But yes, in response, I get that people may not find him or his reviews funny, and thus there's not much point in watching them. But based on what I've read in these forums, I do think people take him a bit too seriously, and I feel that's not something they should do.

Edited February 22, 2009 by grandcross

[Atariman]

I'm not a huge fan of AVGN. It isn't that swearing bothers me - I think it can be used quite well to prove a point or make something funny - it's that he does it in such a way that makes no sense. I imagine some people find this hilarious, but it really bugs the hell out of me. If you're going to try and spice up your review with vulgarity, you should take the time to make it creative enough to be entertaining. Hearing him poorly slap together some insult is as bad as fingernails on a chalkboard - it makes me cringe.

 

Then there are the reviews... as mentioned previously by someone else, much of his hatred for the games he plays is blown out of proportion. This, too, can be hilarious... but the way he does it comes off like some little kid throwing a tantrum, not someone with a firm grasp on comedy/video games. Besides - what use is a review if there's barely a shred of truth in it? You'll wind up with zero useful information by the end (But won't you look sharp when you can tell your friends that a particular game sucks because the AVGN claimed it 'blows a dead hooker's shit-balls' or something to that effect.) Add this to the terrible insults (see above) and you're already going in the wrong direction.

 

I also saw Zero Punctuation mentioned... totally different league - and not because of content/genre. The guy from Zero Puncuation also uses swearing, etc to get his point across. What's the difference? It actually feels like he spent a little time on the review - it doesn't just sound like the idiotic ramblings of an asshat. His insults are actually a little clever AND there's a decent review weaved in there somewhere, too. (His review of Turok for the 360 was dead on)

 

I can understand why people despise his reviews so much - it's annoying to see someone getting so much attention and credit while many decent (and humorous) reviews are left largely unnoticed. It's like watching people flock to see an art exhibit comprised of shit smeared haphazardly on a canvas when there's a gallery with Van Gogh and Monet right across the street. Both are considered 'art', but only one takes any real talent.

 

I don't even think this is one of those 'intellectual' vs 'low brow' debates - slapstick comedy is considered 'low brow', but even that requires good timing and a mildly well thought out script - somebody behind the scenes with a bit of talent had to care enough put some effort into it.

 

It's not that it's 'low brow', it's that he appears to put little or no effort into his reviews. With so many good 'artists' out there, don't let the hobo with a coffee can of his own poo and a canvas distract you from the folks that actually respect your intelligence.

Edited February 22, 2009 by Atariman

[Blues_Bloody]

But yes, in response, I get that people may not find him or his reviews funny, and thus there's not much point in watching them. But based on what I've read in these forums, I do think people take him a bit too seriously, and I feel that's not something they should do.

 

My point was that any criticism about the AVGN tends to be met with "Oh you don't get it, he's not being serious~!" when people are simply discussing the reasons they don't like him.

[Lord Thag]

I get it's all an act. Yeah, I know he's got this 'angry nerd persona' he puts on as part of his routine. I get it's all in good fun.

 

I also get that I have never once actually LAUGHED at any of it. He's just not funny. He reminds me of those C-list commedians that seem to think that saying F$!^ over and over constitutes being funny.

 

It isn't

 

In my opinion, he's neither funny or talented. Obviously a lot of people do like him. Then again, lots of people watch reality telivision Not my thing I guess.

Edited February 23, 2009 by Lord Thag

[82atari5200]

I get it's all an act. Yeah, I know he's got this 'angry nerd persona' he puts on as part of his routine. I get it's all in good fun.

 

I also get that I have never once actually LAUGHED at any of it. He's just not funny. He reminds me of those C-list commedians that seem to think that saying F$!^ over and over constitutes being funny.

 

It isn't

 

In my opinion, he's neither funny or talented. Obviously a lot of people do like him. Then again, lots of people watch reality telivision Not my thing I guess.

I have to agree the cussing just get really fucking old....His rants make no sense and when he does have a little nugget of comedy he screws it up with the nonsensical profanity.

[Turd Furgason]

For my money Classic game room is the best...Mark brussler is a great vintage game reviewer...and he does not really have to have a gimmick or take himself to seriously

[rpgfaker]

Well I discovered last night the Angry Nintendo Nerd, and I'm assuming this is the same person that I've seen called the Angry Video Game Nerd?? Damn this guy is hilarious. I wish I would have thought to do something like this.

 

The guy reminds me of when I was 14 years old..except I like Castlevania II