The 1980’s was the decade when microprocessor technology became cheap enough and powerful enough that computers became affordable for the average member of the public. Â Parents saw these wonderful new machines and many decided buying a ZX Spectrum would help little Johnny with his homework, and allow them to do their accounts.
What they didn’t realise of course is that doing the accounts on a Spectrum was pretty impractical, and completely useless for Johnny’s homework – no Internet in those days! Â No, the average home computer was of course used solely for playing video games.
It was also in the 1980’s that Games Consoles really started to become popular as well. Â Basically a home computer stripped of a keyboard but possibly with better graphical capabilities, the Game Console was looked on with disdain by many parents, though they would normally cave in eventually once Johnny had harped on long enough.
So, with all that in mind, would you say you played more videogames as a kid on a Home Computer, or on a Games Console?
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Spectrum game player all the way.
If anyone can point me at a snapshot of Brian Bloodaxe that doesn’t go kaka after you get the crown jewels I’d be grateful.
Had the Amiga computer (why we did not get a commodore 64 I do not know) then got the first Nintendo console unit.
I was a Commodore man too, going through the Vic-20, C64 and two Amigas before I grudgingly bought a PC…
That said nowadays I’m a console man, and rarely play games on PC.
I had both, kind of. I got an Amstrad CPC, but I preferred my Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Mario.
Computers I had the ZX81 followed by the Acorn Electron. My first console was in the early 80’s, The Intellivision. Absolute crap but I loved it at the time. Got the Intellivoice unit and everything!!! Then I moved onto the Sega Master System, Mega Drive and then yes, you guessed PS1, 2 and now 3.
I played a demo of the new Call of Duty on the PS3 the other day and I remember thinking how when I was a kid. Nothing could ever top Space Spartans for graphics!
We’ve come a long way!
Oh, the Intellivision! I don’t think I’ve covered that yet, but I remember seeing it in Dixons, and I’m sure KITT had an Intellivision built in on Knight Rider.