MONTY BENFICA | Amusements | CONTACT
A recent survey has revealed that no modern video game, no matter how advanced or graphically stunning, can hold a candle to the fleeting, five-minute joy of playing demo samples at a JB Hi-Fi in the early 2000s.
“Yeah, I’ve got a PS5, an ultrawide monitor, and a gaming chair that reclines,” admitted Mark Thompson (32), a software developer.
“But nothing—and I mean nothing—will ever top the thrill of frantically mashing buttons on a sticky controller while standing awkwardly in front of a low-res CRT TV in the middle of JB Hi-Fi’s electronics section.”
The survey polled over 10,000 gamers between the ages of 25 and 40.
An overwhelming 87% of respondents agreed that the adrenaline rush of being hunched over a console in a public store, with the pressure of other kids impatiently waiting their turn, remains unmatched by any gaming experience since.
“You’d get maybe five minutes, tops, before an employee told you to move along or your mom dragged you away,” said Mark, who still remembers the thrill of playing “Spyro the Dragon” in 2002.
“But those five minutes were pure, unadulterated bliss. You were on a timer, which made every second count. Today, I can play for hours, but it’s just not the same. There’s no fear of getting kicked off.”
The phenomenon has left game developers baffled. Despite investing millions in cutting-edge graphics, immersive storylines, and advanced AI, they are now confronted with the uncomfortable reality that a nostalgic memory of janky controls and blurry screens is proving more memorable than their entire catalog.
“We’ve been focusing on realism, vast open worlds, and complex gameplay mechanics,” said a visibly rattled game designer.
“But apparently, what people really want is to feel rushed and under pressure, surrounded by discount CDs and Walkman’s.”
