Fighting Boring with Boring!

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

I know the 2600 isn't the only console with these sort of games, but I think it may have the largest selection. Here's three off the top of my head;

 

Lost Luggage-- Remember the last time you were at the airport and experiencing the thrill of retrieving your luggage from that cool conveyor belt? Well guess what? There's an entire game based on exactly that premise!

 

Plaque Attack-- Yeah, brushing your teeth is pretty radical,but does it really need a video game?

 

Sneak n Peek-- Back in the days before video games when kids were really, really bored and there was absolutely nothing to do, they played Hide and Go Seek. Fast forward to a time where technology has provided a more interesting alternative to boredom busting...they go and make a video game based on Hide and Go Seek?

[starmaster]

I know the 2600 isn't the only console with these sort of games, but I think it may have the largest selection. Here's three off the top of my head;

 

Lost Luggage-- Remember the last time you were at the airport and experiencing the thrill of retrieving your luggage from that cool conveyor belt? Well guess what? There's an entire game based on exactly that premise!

 

Plaque Attack-- Yeah, brushing your teeth is pretty radical,but does it really need a video game?

 

Sneak n Peek-- Back in the days before video games when kids were really, really bored and there was absolutely nothing to do, they played Hide and Go Seek. Fast forward to a time where technology has provided a more interesting alternative to boredom busting...they go and make a video game based on Hide and Go Seek?

 

 

You make a fair point, but I have to defend a few of the old games here. It was a time when it was a revolution to have a computer system in your home. Pong to the 2600 was a massive leap, full colour etc just having a blob you could move around the screen and interact with something was so radical in those days. Sure some are boring as hell today but back then, and lets not forget we were kids too, it was new exciting and fun.

 

I remember playing freeway, how simple was that but I played it for hours. Can't imagine I would play it for more than 1 game now.

 

It still happens today, as new techniques are learnt better games come out and make the older title look pretty poor, just compare PC games of 2 years ago and today. I'm sure the same would apply. But yes some are so simplistic that even then they were a little boring, but was that only because you had played something better in the Atari range?

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

I'm referring more to the theme of the game rather than the actual gameplay. Plaque Attack may be a fun game to play...but it's still based on the concept of brushing your teeth.

[Herbarius]

but it's still based on the concept of brushing your teeth.

So what? Probpably it was directed at kids, as a kind of "educational" game, trying to tell you how important it is to brush your teeth... After all, there are/were cartoons on TV like that, too. And as a game, that's really quite fun, what's the problem?

 

Sneak n Peek-- Back in the days before video games when kids were really, really bored and there was absolutely nothing to do, they played Hide and Go Seek. Fast forward to a time where technology has provided a more interesting alternative to boredom busting...they go and make a video game based on Hide and Go Seek?

Ever seen this old Shareware game?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNRmuM_iwoo

Also looks like it still seems to be around, with newer versions: www.carrsoft.com/ctf/capture_the_flag_game.html

 

It really is some fun, even if you just play the Shareware version, against the computer or, better yet, against a buddy (taking turns, of course the waiting player mustn't look at the screen! or you can play by E-Mail)

Edited February 15, 2010 by Herbarius

[tremoloman2006]

Plaque Attack:

One of my favorites and I think often overlooked titles. It offers a lot of action and ramps up to a high level of difficulty.

 

Sneak n Peek:

One of only a handful of titles my sister would play with me on the Atari, so to say the game is boring may be your opinion but not certainly mine. Some of my fondest memories of playing Atari as a kid were playing Sneak n Peek with my one and only sis.

 

Lost Luggage:

I agree 100% with you.

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

I just think its kind of funny when video games,which purpose is to fight boredom, are created based upon concepts that are generally thought of as boring.

 

What's really funny, is when the game actually turns out to be really good...like Pressure Cooker, which is pure genius!

 

So basically what I am referring to are games based on ordinary, mundane tasks, not the usual, aliens & spaceships, monsters and heroes sort of stuff most games are based on.

 

I am not talking about games that aren't fun to play.

Edited February 15, 2010 by Lonely Mountain Hermit

[starmaster]

Good man, got cha..

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

I'm not sure if I would include the educational games like 'Basic Math' in this category though. I guess there's possibly some kid out there who would find solving difficult algebra equations more exciting than defending the planet from hostile extraterrestrial beings, but I really don't think these games were meant to be fun.

[+cvga]

I understood you from the first post I thought Freeway was actually a great response. We don't find out why the chicken crossed the road because the object is only to cross the road. Another normally simple task but a pretty fun game.

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

I understood you from the first post I thought Freeway was actually a great response. We don't find out why the chicken crossed the road because the object is only to cross the road. Another normally simple task but a pretty fun game.

 

I just thought I should clarify what I intended for the topic. And that boring, mundane tasks can occasionally make for fun games..though obviously not always.

 

Yeah, Freeway is good one. Not only is it based on the uninteresting task of crossing a street...it's also based on probably the most boring and cliched jokes of all time! Yet, despite that, its a really fun little game!

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

I understood you from the first post I thought Freeway was actually a great response. We don't find out why the chicken crossed the road because the object is only to cross the road. Another normally simple task but a pretty fun game.

 

I just thought I should clarify what I intended for the topic. And that boring, mundane tasks can occasionally make for fun games..though obviously not always.

 

Yeah, Freeway is good one. Not only is it based on the uninteresting task of crossing a street...it's also based on probably the most boring and cliched jokes of all time! Yet, despite that, its a really fun little game!

 

Tough to beat ADANCED LAWNMOWER SIMULATOR! An AMIGA PD/Freeware title, it really sucked, I think I ran it a few times when I was really bored..........

 

Link to awesome heartpounding description

Edited February 15, 2010 by OldSchoolRetroGamer

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

I understood you from the first post I thought Freeway was actually a great response. We don't find out why the chicken crossed the road because the object is only to cross the road. Another normally simple task but a pretty fun game.

 

I just thought I should clarify what I intended for the topic. And that boring, mundane tasks can occasionally make for fun games..though obviously not always.

 

Yeah, Freeway is good one. Not only is it based on the uninteresting task of crossing a street...it's also based on probably the most boring and cliched jokes of all time! Yet, despite that, its a really fun little game!

 

Tough to beat ADANCED LAWNMOWER SIMULATOR! An AMIGA PD/Freeware title, it really sucked, I think I ran it a few times when I was really bored..........

 

Link to awesome heartpounding description

 

LOL...Unless there's a game based on watching paint dry, I would say that must be the most boring game concept of all time! Someone should port it over to the 2600!!

[Nukey Shay]

There's always Video Life...which is the equivalent of watching clouds form.

[Cebus Capucinis]

What? Someone who doesn't enjoy ADVANCED LAWNMOWER SIMULATOR?

 

That game was what inspired me to start my own lawnmowing business! I couldn't wait to get those free sandwiches every 5th lawn for doing such a good job!

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

Then there's "Venetian Blinds Demo". Even the scene outside the window is boring!

 

http://www.atariage.com/screenshot_page.html?SoftwareLabelID=2701

Edited February 15, 2010 by Lonely Mountain Hermit

[Nukey Shay]

^not a commercially-released program.

 

There's plenty of demos that are even more boring than that.

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

^not a commercially-released program.

 

There's plenty of demos that are even more boring than that.

 

Yeah I know...but I couldn't resist.

 

"Color Bar Generator" is another good one!

[SoulBlazer]

To be fair, though, Video Life is based off a even older game that I do find rather interesting -- the right versions of the game are quite fun. The 2600 is nowhere near being able to handle it well, though.

 

To me, a borring game is Taboo for the NES. Oh yeah, let's make a game based on mind reading and gypsy cards that doesn't actually work! Your NES is powerfull enough to read your mind!

[jhd]

I know the 2600 isn't the only console with these sort of games, but I think it may have the largest selection. Here's three off the top of my head;

 

Lost Luggage-- Remember the last time you were at the airport and experiencing the thrill of retrieving your luggage from that cool conveyor belt? Well guess what? There's an entire game based on exactly that premise!

 

There is lots of scope here for a homebrew sequel, where you get to wait in line at the baggage office to file a claim for your bag that never actually did come off the conveyor belt.

 

I Air Canada!

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

I know the 2600 isn't the only console with these sort of games, but I think it may have the largest selection. Here's three off the top of my head;

 

Lost Luggage-- Remember the last time you were at the airport and experiencing the thrill of retrieving your luggage from that cool conveyor belt? Well guess what? There's an entire game based on exactly that premise!

 

There is lots of scope here for a homebrew sequel, where you get to wait in line at the baggage office to file a claim for your bag that never actually did come off the conveyor belt.

 

I Air Canada!

 

I think you may be onto something here.

[+Nathan Strum]

I'm referring more to the theme of the game rather than the actual gameplay. Plaque Attack may be a fun game to play...but it's still based on the concept of brushing your teeth.

It's not the only one...

 

Tooth Protectors

Jawbreaker (the "cut scenes" feature your teeth being brushed)

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

I'm referring more to the theme of the game rather than the actual gameplay. Plaque Attack may be a fun game to play...but it's still based on the concept of brushing your teeth.

It's not the only one...

 

Tooth Protectors

Jawbreaker (the "cut scenes" feature your teeth being brushed)

 

But in "Jawbreaker", the main theme is eating candy...which is fun!

[Animan]

Tax Avoider and Math Gran Prix. (What kind of car runs of math?)

[Lonely Mountain Hermit]

Tax Avoider and Math Gran Prix. (What kind of car runs of math?)

 

I once had a car that ran on math. Unfortunately my math skills are pretty poor and I couldn't go faster than 23 miles an hour.

[Nukey Shay]

That's pretty good, actually. I know some that wouldn't be able to get out of reverse.