Why I'm here - PCEngineFan

This is my current setup for gaming goodness. Whenever I read a blog like Kotaku or 4 Color Rebellion I often wonder what the editors command centers look like, what they are currently playing, you know.. a look into their world. I thought I would show you all what my little setup looks like presently. I use 2 different Macintosh Computers to do my Blog editing and graphics design, the iMac running OS X Tiger and the MacBook running Windows XP. I am currently enjoying the Turbo Grafx 16, Core Grafx II with Super CD Rom2 system, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2, and GP2X. On the right is a small CD shelf I bought yesterday to hold the games for those systems. I own many many more systems and games but they are currently in the garage packed away.. I have systems going back to the Atari 2600 in there! Over the years I have written many websites and worked in the Video Game industry making games, the company was called Westwood Studios. I can actually claim to be a developer for the Turbo Grafx! I was on the team that made Order of the Griffon.

I have 2 wonderful friends and an amazing daughter. I am a social gamer. In that I mean I like to actually be there with my friends when playing games, I don't like the online experience. Believe me I have played MANY online games, even games such as Everquest and World of Warcraft have claimed 1000's of hours of my time. I used to call myself a true gamer back in the day, but over these last 4-5 years or so I have not felt like a gamer at all. Something was missing in Video Games, something didn't feel right. All these 3D shooters and ultra violent games had made me look at the gaming industry and feel sad for it. Gone were the days of Mascot gaming, platformers, Space shooters (in a super cool plane), RPG's with amazing stories. The simple games of yesteryear were replaced by the Grand Theft Autos, Halo's, and Crime games. RPG's have stayed around but have lost that spark they used to have. People want real these days and I stayed away from it.

I had an XBOX 360 but it is now sold, I have no desire to buy a PS3, and my Nintendo Wii enjoys a Virtual Console library along with a few amazing titles I have picked up, Nintendo has continued making the types of games I enjoy. I love my PS2 and the RPG's I have on it, and the games I still own for my PS1. I don't see myself moving forward with the new consoles if they continue their current climb to ultra realistic games. I don't want real life in my face, I want a game.

This is the foundation for PC Engine Fan. The PC Engine / Turbo Grafx 16 is my all time favorite system in history. So many original games, amazing graphics, add-on devises, and memories. 800+ games to sink my teeth into and collect.... and play. Yes I said play. I am so excited with the notion of tracking down these gems and getting my shot to play them, english or japanese it does not matter to me. I want to experience all of them, good or bad. I want to enjoy what I consider the HAYDAY of Video Games. In my world, the PC Engine is the greatest system ever made and ever likely to be made.

On a side note, I am also a huge fan of the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, and the Super Famicom / Super NES. I have a rather nice Genesis library with memorable games such as Shining Force, Sonic, and Gunstar Heroes. My Super Famicom library is in the toilet right now as I pretty much sold off most of my games awhile back or I simply cannot find my games. One day I will order a new Super Famicom system and pick n choose some of the games I want on it. I am back in the 16-Bit generation to stay for the longhaul. I am going to stay there and enjoy all these amazing games. I am going to experience everything this era of gaming had to offer, until a time that these types of games come back I will probably never leave.

Finally I would like to give some props to the few developers in this day and age that see the value in the types of games I'm talking about. Companies like Nipon Ichi and Atlus that continue to bring us classic 2D games that utterly amaze me. Games like Odin Sphere, Arcana Hearts, and Persona. Games that I will want to pick up and play 10-20 years from now. Games that amaze me with hand drawn art and amazing music soundtracks. This is where I am, and this is where Windancer is. We are the same in these feelings. We welcome you to come along with us as we enjoy, collect, play, and talk about the amazing games we enjoy every day.

This is what PC Engine Fan is about. Thank you for hanging out with us =)

-PCEngineFan