[blog] Sloth's Adventures in Gaming

Hi, everyone! ^_^ I'm Sloth, or you can call me M.D. if you'd like.

A Bit of History

My earliest gaming experiences were from around 1991-92, playing primarily edutainment games on the Apple //e my dad used to bring home from the public school where he taught. As a youngster, I also learned the basics of BASIC [heh] on this machine, before we finally purchased our first Windows-based PC, a Tandy Sensation.

It was on this Tandy with 8 MB of RAM (upgraded from 4 MB) that I first played some of the classic PC games many of us grew up with: Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, Descent, Duke Nukem 1 & 2, Commander Keen 4, Bio Menace, Magic School Bus games, Carmen Sandiego games, . . . and even some that most people have probably never heard of, but nevertheless shaped who I am as a gamer: Lenny's Multimedia Circus, Hodj 'n' Podj, Time Riders, Super Seekers and Super Solvers series.

Around the same time we got our first PC, I also inherited my grandparents' Atari 2600 and NES. I had a limited number of games for those consoles back then, but I distinctly remember some favorites: Berzerk, Q*Bert, Defender, and Beamrider on the 2600 and Super Mario Bros. 1-3, Contra, and Tetris on the NES. There is a really nostalgic piece of home video footage from my childhood of me asking my dad if he wanted to play Contra with me after we finished whatever we were doing at the time.

Over the years, I have accumulated many more 2600 and NES games to my collection, and rounded things out with SNES (RGB modded with FXPAK Pro), N64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U (with homebrew), Switch OLED, Sega Genesis, Sega Dreamcast, PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S (my first Xbox console since my OG Xbox, which has long since died), and a large assortment of handhelds: GBC, GBA (modded), GBA SP, DS Lite, DSi XL, "New" 3DS XL, PSP (soft-modded), Sega Game Gear, Steam Deck, and Miyoo Mini Plus. Along with these consoles and handhelds, I've amassed a number of games for each. I also have a gaming PC that is often in varying states of disrepair.

I have a 36" Sony Trinitron CRT that I play most of my retro consoles on, and 65" and 55" 4K LEDs that I play modern games on. For PC games, I have a 34" LG ultrawide monitor.

Why Am I Doing This?
I have a really bad habit of starting games, getting distracted, and moving on to the next big thing. I'm hoping that by posting here, I can motivate myself to finish more games from my backlog, and maybe even buy fewer new games--although those Steam and GOG sales always tempt me.

My favorite genres include platformers, JRPGs, roguelikes/lites, action-adventure games, and puzzle games. I'm especially interested in exploring more visual novels and JRPGs.

Some [Semi-]Recent Favorites I've Beaten
• Sea of Stars
• Uncharted franchise
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder
• Pokémon Legends Arceus
• Coffee Talk

Currently Playing

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age (PlayStation Plus, playing on PS4 and PS5) - I'm about 17 hours into this one currently, and I'm really enjoying it. I personally think it's a bit cheesy, but it's a lot of fun and a great introduction to the Dragon Quest franchise.


Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (physical, playing on PS5) - I've just started this one (four hours in), and I'm counting on it ripping my heart out and stomping on it. The OG FFVII is one of my favorite games of all time, and unlike many, I really loved Remake. I can't wait to delve further into this game.


Golden Sun (GBA, playing on Miyoo Mini Plus) - A replay of a childhood favorite that I never beat. Do I own this physically on GBA? Yes. Am I playing it on the Miyoo Mini Plus anyway? Also yes. And now that Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age are both on Nintendo Switch Online, I'm tempted to start over again on the Switch OLED.

Honorable Mentions
There are a few games, primarily roguelikes/lites, that I keep in rotation most of the time. You'll find me playing most of these on at least a weekly basis:


I look forward to hopefully interacting with some of you about the games I'm playing or have played in the past!

NOICE! I really like the idea of a dedicated CRT television for retro games most emulator filters don't cut it for me. Where do you keep it or how did you make space for it?

Hi, everyone! ^_^ I'm Sloth, or you can call me M.D. if you'd like.

A Bit of History

My earliest gaming experiences were from around 1991-92, playing primarily edutainment games on the Apple //e my dad used to bring home from the public school where he taught. As a youngster, I also learned the basics of BASIC [heh] on this machine, before we finally purchased our first Windows-based PC, a Tandy Sensation.

It was on this Tandy with 8 MB of RAM (upgraded from 4 MB) that I first played some of the classic PC games many of us grew up with: Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, Descent, Duke Nukem 1 & 2, Commander Keen 4, Bio Menace, Magic School Bus games, Carmen Sandiego games, . . . and even some that most people have probably never heard of, but nevertheless shaped who I am as a gamer: Lenny's Multimedia Circus, Hodj 'n' Podj, Time Riders, Super Seekers and Super Solvers series.

Around the same time we got our first PC, I also inherited my grandparents' Atari 2600 and NES. I had a limited number of games for those consoles back then, but I distinctly remember some favorites: Berzerk, Q*Bert, Defender, and Beamrider on the 2600 and Super Mario Bros. 1-3, Contra, and Tetris on the NES. There is a really nostalgic piece of home video footage from my childhood of me asking my dad if he wanted to play Contra with me after we finished whatever we were doing at the time.

Over the years, I have accumulated many more 2600 and NES games to my collection, and rounded things out with SNES (RGB modded with FXPAK Pro), N64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U (with homebrew), Switch OLED, Sega Genesis, Sega Dreamcast, PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S (my first Xbox console since my OG Xbox, which has long since died), and a large assortment of handhelds: GBC, GBA (modded), GBA SP, DS Lite, DSi XL, "New" 3DS XL, PSP (soft-modded), Sega Game Gear, Steam Deck, and Miyoo Mini Plus. Along with these consoles and handhelds, I've amassed a number of games for each. I also have a gaming PC that is often in varying states of disrepair.

I have a 36" Sony Trinitron CRT that I play most of my retro consoles on, and 65" and 55" 4K LEDs that I play modern games on. For PC games, I have a 34" LG ultrawide monitor.

Why Am I Doing This?
I have a really bad habit of starting games, getting distracted, and moving on to the next big thing. I'm hoping that by posting here, I can motivate myself to finish more games from my backlog, and maybe even buy fewer new games--although those Steam and GOG sales always tempt me.

My favorite genres include platformers, JRPGs, roguelikes/lites, action-adventure games, and puzzle games. I'm especially interested in exploring more visual novels and JRPGs.

Some [Semi-]Recent Favorites I've Beaten
• Sea of Stars
• Uncharted franchise
• Final Fantasy VII Remake
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder
• Pokémon Legends Arceus
• Coffee Talk

Currently Playing

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age (PlayStation Plus, playing on PS4 and PS5) - I'm about 17 hours into this one currently, and I'm really enjoying it. I personally think it's a bit cheesy, but it's a lot of fun and a great introduction to the Dragon Quest franchise.


Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (physical, playing on PS5) - I've just started this one (four hours in), and I'm counting on it ripping my heart out and stomping on it. The OG FFVII is one of my favorite games of all time, and unlike many, I really loved Remake. I can't wait to delve further into this game.


Golden Sun (GBA, playing on Miyoo Mini Plus) - A replay of a childhood favorite that I never beat. Do I own this physically on GBA? Yes. Am I playing it on the Miyoo Mini Plus anyway? Also yes. And now that Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age are both on Nintendo Switch Online, I'm tempted to start over again on the Switch OLED.

Honorable Mentions
There are a few games, primarily roguelikes/lites, that I keep in rotation most of the time. You'll find me playing most of these on at least a weekly basis:


I look forward to hopefully interacting with some of you about the games I'm playing or have played in the past!

Welcome to blogging! LOVE the games you mentioned. Roguelikes are always a hoot and DQXI is great fun. Agree on the cheesy part, but I think that adds charm.

If you're up for another DQ game in the future... I recommend 8. More empty in comparison, but the charm remains the same. Looking forward to hearing more about your ventures!

Love the historical beginning of your blog!

NOICE! I really like the idea of a dedicated CRT television for retro games most emulator filters don't cut it for me. Where do you keep it or how did you make space for it?

Right now, it’s in the corner of our den, which is really a multi-purpose entertainment room with a giant sectional, the 65” flatscreen, books, and video games. We would like to move the CRT to the basement, but that’s going to be a huge undertaking. It’s a 236 pound (107 kilogram) monstrosity, and I’m dreading trying to get it down the stairs.

Welcome to blogging! LOVE the games you mentioned. Roguelikes are always a hoot and DQXI is great fun. Agree on the cheesy part, but I think that adds charm.

If you're up for another DQ game in the future... I recommend 8. More empty in comparison, but the charm remains the same. Looking forward to hearing more about your ventures!

Thanks! Yes, it’s definitely a charming game. I’m getting ready to post a few funny moments from DQXI.

I will keep VIII in mind for a future visit.

Some funny recent moments in Dragon Quest XI:


Isn’t it, though? Love meta lines like this.


Giggity!


A glitch I encountered that is apparently pretty common. I rode this elevator down, and it went THROUGH THE FLOOR and I’m stuck in this rotunda with no escape except to magically teleport myself away and back again. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[Accidental double post]

Welcome! And hello fellow rpg juggler :D

I loved DQ XI. It's good at charm, cheese and suddenly punching you in the gut with feelings. I can second VIII being a good time too

Welcome! And hello fellow rpg juggler :D

I loved DQ XI. It's good at charm, cheese and suddenly punching you in the gut with feelings. I can second VIII being a good time too

I can’t help it! I’m such a JRPG junkie. Probably why I have such a hard time finishing games…

Shortly after I started this project, my spouse and I filed for divorce. (No expressions of sympathy necessary... this was an amicable and mutual decision that is best for both of us.)

Having said that, gaming got moved to the back burner for a while.

I have finally started picking up the Steam Deck again, and I am absolutely hooked on Balatro.



This is a poker-based roguelike deckbuilder.





Anybody else been enjoying this one?

I have a friend thats basically addicted to its gameplay, at least its not real gambling.

So I would say its pretty good.