Not much of a Gamer anymore

I used to love video games. They were a way to escape. I certainly have not outgrown the need to escape into fantasy, but I can’t seem to use video games to do it anymore. Now I’d rather read a book, listen to a podcast, or binge Netflix with Liz.

That isn’t to say we don’t ever play. We still both love to play Mario Kart on occasion. I bought the Nintendo Switch just so we could play together. But the magic of games doesn’t hold on to my attention the way it used to.

Now, I love modding game consoles.

I love being able to take an old device, like my thirty year old Gameboy, and give it new life. Old Gameboys would burn through a set of AA batteries in an afternoon. My Gameboys are rechargeable. The old consoles could only be played under direct bright light, mine have modern backlit screens. Before there were plastic shells, and now mine are machined aluminum.

The mods aren’t that difficult, but require patience, focus, and a steady hand with a soldering iron. The process of modding is a real joy to me. I enjoy it more than playing the games once I am done, and that is an unexpected change from when I was younger.

Anyway, this is my show-and-tell for the day: Above, my Gameboy Color (left) and Gameboy Advance (right) on some 3d printed stands that a friend made for me. Below, my Nintendo Switch next to the advance with matching color schemes.