I HAVE A PROBLEM - Happy Console Gamer

Johnny does a deep dive into his life to figure out what has been bothering him lately, and the power and hinderance of nostalgia
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Join Johnny Millenium The Happy Console Gamer as he discusses new video games and reviews forgotten games that not many people know about but should!

[@mjr2828]

I'm 70 years young and still watching your show ❤😂

[@mrdeatheli]

I'm 43, I really miss playing 2 player games with my brothers.

[@melvinburchett]

Same man, I miss powering through all the great beat em ups with my little brother while playing the more complicated RPG style games with my older brother. Good times.

[@misterlexx2721]

I am 43 too. Used to play NES and Genesis with my brother in the early 90s.

[@louisewilliams1258]

"Do not resent growing old ... many are denied the privilege." -- An old Irish saying

[@JosephLombardi]

This, this exact quote got me through a rough time when I was really afraid of getting old. Someone showed me this exact quote and it completely flipped my perspective. Ever since then I’ve been thankful of all the life I’ve been able to live and look forward to the years ahead

[@markpoland5748]

Go on the irsh and pal your dead right in what your saying, stay safe and well pal.

[@vintagecrazyjay4970]

Growing old is a gift that not all receive. Be grateful for every moment you have. Cheers!

[@JonathanWillow-zz7rb]

Even the comments section of HCG makes me feel good.

[@joeadrianmendoza]

The present is GAY, the past is RAD….

[@TekTherapy]

Now at 45, the nostalgia is the one thing that keeps me grounded. Sitting down in front of an old 90s machine and playing games i grew up with often let's me forget the daily troubles..

[@lyrand6408]

Soon to be 42 here, and I feel the same. Nostalgia actually calms me, just thinking about 'good ol' times' with gaming (or movies, music, etc) is wonderful. My greatest fear is to _forget_ about those things.

[@MANIACxCOP22]

My perspective of the world has changed. It's depressing to live in the present.

[@blackstep_dad2572]

@@MANIACxCOP22no it’s not. We live in the most livable time in the history of the Earth. We have an abundance of food, we have homes, we have amazing technology. The empty void of people’s heart is a God shaped hole.

[@belstar1128]

45+45 is 90 just saying

[@arunca190]

@@blackstep_dad2572I respect your view as much as @MANIACxCOP22. We have all those good things you mentioned (sort of) but there are things that can’t be ignored like polarizing politics and economics. AI is a disaster waiting to happen (as a creative), the viral influencer culture is hard to ignore and can be so inclusive one can feel left out. Rising costs of property, food, school, medical services… $100k annual salary in USA is low income but not officially. Franchise remakes in bad taste. Etc.

[@MountainCity007]

I'm 45 and feel the same way you do. I live in the present and try to be in the moment with what's going on now. I do think back growing up in the 80's. The movies, games, and overall culture of those times are something I feel very fortunate to have experienced. We're a different generation and I believe we will be unique in that we'll still be gaming into our 60's and beyond. We're going to be some of the coolest grandparents in history.

[@lucianopanei]

44 here. Gaming like day one

[@DropDatBass]

My dad said the other day to me and my wife "Were gonna be the cool grandparents because we grew up in the 70s"

[@lucianopanei]

@@DropDatBass your dad knows best

[@Fascistbeast]

Original Nintendo GameBoy gamer here from the 80s😎 My first console that started the passion. Thankyou Mum.

[@nn99nn99]

The Xennials (79-83) are the last humans that lived pre-internet as children and can remember it.

[@MainEventMinute]

The podcast world needs you back Johnny. Even if it’s solo recordings, even if it’s not on a regular schedule. Many of us could listen to you wax poetic on everything from 80s anime to tabletop RPGs for hours on end.

[@SamMcDonald83]

Yeah a podcast would be excellent

[@Kikoman589]

He was on a podcast called The Weeb Crew a while ago where he talks about his history with discovering anime. The episode title is "Do You Remember Anime?".

[@OmegaKatanaXIII]

The podcast format is perfect for the happy console gaming as a whole I dont mind hearing Johnny talking about his memories for hours and hours on end.

[@SamMcDonald83]

@@Kikoman589 oh I must check that out

[@igi4]

That was my first thought too. Podcast format would be ideal for sharing this passion in free form, without worrying so much about editing video and so on.

[@tk45-]

I discovered this channel when I was 12, and I obsessively watched every video for years. I’m now 26 and have just realized that when I trace back the things I love - Sega, retro anime, mecha, RPGs - it‘s solely because of you. I didn’t even realize it. Your passion inspired me subconsciously, and I will very likely carry it forward and pass these things down to my own kids. What a fucking unique thing youtube is.

[@HiroesX81]

42 here. Life hasnt been great the last few years but im proud to have grown up in the 80s and 90s. We were here for the rise of anime and video games in the west. The best time. So many discoveries

[@thomaspickering2344]

The ability to be nostalgic and still enjoy what the present has to offer is a blessing. Be well Johnny!

[@alexk9295]

Being nostalgic is kind of sad though...

[@Anotherperson81]

Nostalgia is playing the 95 edition of Worms on Ps5 with the family cuddled up on the couch. And it’s still just as much fun blasting people into oblivion

[@datriaxsondor590]

It is a blessing. Mostly, because the present doesn't have much at all to offer.

[@Nicholasmcmath-cr1xl]

Same nostalgia is a good thing but you should be in the Present

[@soyUsernameWasTaken]

That's why johnny lives on. Unlike all the "angry reviews" out there, he's the happy console gamer, and he do things that makes him happy. I love my PS1, but tbh I'd rather turn on my PS5.

[@sifarid4502]

I still remember the video when you talks about being 40 years old gamer, damn time flies.

[@TheKiman2]

Yeah that was a great one. He talked a lot about Macross😃

[@cj8489]

Me too. 👌🏽💯

[@neoturfmasterMVS]

that video is now 15 years ago, wow.

[@belstar1128]

for some reason he looked older in his 2008 videos than he does now

[@sifarid4502]

@@belstar1128 because he was smoking heavily back then.

[@streetmagik3105]

1985-1995, i will enternally live here in my nostalgia. My favorite movies, anime, comics and games/systems are from this time.

[@gregoryrousseau5155]

Johnny, nostalgia is well and good, but don't stress about it man. We just have to do what we can. We are not here for a long time, we are here for a good time. Just do what you can. We appreciate your channel and your passion. Salute from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@deshawnholmes4876]

My body is here in 2024, but my mind is stuck in the 90s.

[@ryanwood6754]

Same I'm 27 but I still live like its the early 2000s. You need to be aware of the present and be open minded to new stuff but when it comes to hobbies and stuff I can't help it I dislike most of the new stuff I like older things. It's healthy if it's because you just like it. It's unhealthy if you hate new stuff just because it's new. For me personally I just prefer older

[@LukeDodge916]

This comment is my life, OP

[@TheDreadedZero]

I’m 40 and my mind is stuck in the 80s/90s

[@dbzfanatic278]

Wow I feel this way too. Been on this planet since the early 80s and I absolutely loved the 80s and 90s. Such a wild time

[@superunknown2812]

Man I feel ya I'm 45 and I think back too the 90s when I grew up and just think how much I consumed and how lucky I was too experience just even the simple things,video games,consoles like the Turbografx 16 then eventually goin into the ps1.Music is my main thing I'm into just discovering bands and genres of music like the grunge era,Nu metal,Gangster rap.Movies the big Arnold schwarzenegger phase of T2,Predator,Indiana jones etc man I could go on and on.Things now just are simply not as intriguing as they once were and I don't think it has anything to do with me getting older cause my mind is still very young just more matured that's all lol

[@scar7545]

Not gonna lie, finding out you're in your 50s is mind blowing, I had you in your early 40s at most

[@JohnnySoCal]

Johnnys never age... I'm also living proof.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

He looks so much better now. He looked like he was in his 50's when he was smoker when he was 20. It's amazing how much getting that stuff out of your system works. 50 isn't old by any means, but I certainly aspire to have the passion and energy Jonny has when I'm 50. Dude's an inspiration.

[@Pawnband]

Keeping your hair, staying in shape, and lighting make a huge difference. He does look great for 50.

[@robertallshouse500]

@@MicahBuzanANIMATIONI can attest to that. I smoked and drank a lot when I was younger. I’m in my 40s now and quit smoking years ago, rarely drink, and go to the gym. I’ve never looked better and more importantly feel better. You get older and start valuing your health much more. Makes a world of difference

[@ismaeljrp1]

Damn, murdering dudes in early 40s 😂

[@juliareed9677]

Man, my husband and I resonate with this so much! Nostalgia can be the greatest joy and also the toughest burden. I think you should use your amazing energy and effervescent nostalgia sparks to write a book about your life experience! That would be SO RAD!!!

[@AbstractM0use]

The fact you said "Rad" makes me feel nostalgic. lol

[@Mezion]

I'm about to hit 45 myself, and the problem that I have is that there's SO many good games! However... the harsh reality is that I'll really only be able to play so many games, and having to pick which ones that I'll play means I'll exclude some. The games that I haven't played yet (that I really do want to play), have to contend with my nostalgic games as well. When you get older, and realize that you have only so much time, it starts to hit you in a totally different way.

[@lxlthecrowlxl]

I'm only 37 and this is very relatable! I miss my childhood and I constantly think about the past. I miss Christmas with my parents. I miss the neighborhood I grew up in, my high school, the arcades I used to go to. I miss playing Killer Instinct and X-men vs Street Fighter with my friends. I miss going to my friend's house to play Marvel vs Capcom 2 on Dreamcast. Even the sleepovers with my friends because we used to watch horror movies all night and play Resident Evil 1 and then panic when we got to the giant snake boss LOL. I miss Toonami and watching Dragon Ball Z every day at 5:30 PM. I love where I am in life right now, but man nostalgia is powerful! I got teary eyed haha

[@witchdoctorteepo]

Fuck dude!@#! Marvel Capcom 2 was the best fighting game, that and Marvel vs SNK omg. I'm 35 but I 100 percent feel you. Man, I miss the dreamcast soo much.

[@lxlthecrowlxl]

@@witchdoctorteepo What a time to be alive. We had so many amazing fighting games!

[@witchdoctorteepo]

@@lxlthecrowlxl Facts!

[@autex2609]

I relate on many levels. Summer of 99 was just insane for example. Dreamcast with friends was the greatest.. amazing memories with RE1 as well.

[@lxlthecrowlxl]

@@autex2609 Seeing Sonic Adventure for the first time at a KB Toys was special.

[@zevzero]

I do find it hard to find a way to discuss my love for games. The internet has become so toxic but that is what draws me to your channel is your enthusiasm towards games and anime. I don’t want to hear people constantly bashing stuff I want to hear about what people love and enjoy.

[@OmegaKatanaXIII]

You got to draw a balance and also you can tell sharing them without people in your ear.

[@Anotherperson81]

It’s not just the internet. I held on for a long time, but when Cyberpunk came out Dec 2020 I cancelled my long term print subscription gaming magazine after 15 years. They trashed the game over the way it predicted people, citing trans issues and over sexualisation and exploitation content….. it’s a sci-fi game that is good, and I was not subscribing to a games magazine to give cultural sensitive lectures rather than review a game in which you run around with a sword killing people. I’m all about a good game, not someone attempting to shame me for enjoying the game over a detail I hadn’t even noticed.

[@1986Lutrix]

I just turned 38 this year and I feel the same way as you do. Probably why I can throw a lot of my childhood stuff away. I still have all of my original game consoles and favorite toys that I just can't part with.

[@Noirevert]

Near the end of his life, Akira Kurosawa lamented that he didn’t have more time left because he felt he was only just starting to see the potential in filmmaking. Scorsese has recently said the same, worrying that he won’t live long enough to tell all of the stories he is now conceiving. In a way, keeping your passion and creativity your whole life can be nearly as much a curse as losing it, because that means you are guaranteed to have art left unfinished at some point. I understand your frustration, but I’m glad you’ve shared so much of your energy with us already, and look forward to whatever comes next.

[@RobsRetroGaming]

At 56 years old, everyone's past is my present, because I'm constantly discovering HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of "new-to-me" retro games that I never played or even heard of 25-45 years ago! I feel like that excited 10 year old again, every time I discover a new game from the 80s-90s.

[@georgehancock2307]

Buy a Miyoo Mini + or Rg35xx for easy access to the oldies

[@bawitback]

about 20 years younger but I feel the same way. especially playing fan translated games.

[@OGM_OriginalGameMusic]

I feel I'm like that too! Glad to hear others feel it. I'm hitting 30 in a few days and I've grown up hearing about these amazing legacy titles which I've played via emulators but never "as intended". So when I get those titles, it's like finding a relic!

[@ItsATMDrums]

This is incredibly special, please don't lose that! In a world where I see so many people saying that they're bored of gaming or that nothing good is releasing, I find myself picking up 1-2 new things a week at this rate and it has never been better.

[@prehistoricgentlemanbird9131]

I’m with you, man lol.

[@ricardoslhenriques]

I also grew up in the 80s/90s, and to live the razors edge between pre-internet and post-internet... It's hard to know how much we left behind "in the name of progress" and an adult life. Stay young, man. For you, and for all of us. Cheers, man.

[@BigChuck777]

As a 50 year old gamer. I feel every word of this! I look back with fondness on the old games, but i sill get excited for new things in the industry and what is coming next

[@autoduck]

I'm 50 this year, I understand all these things you describe as it parallels my life too! Its nice to know I wasn't the only person in the world who had similar experiences and felt the same way.

[@AbstractM0use]

Nostalgia is only bad when you're too consumed with looking back and neglect living in the present or to move forward. The coming-of-age days of our youth is a magical time for many of us and we want to carry it with us.

[@alexk9295]

It is always sad though. Nostalgic people must be unhappy in some way

[@Flared]

In the 19th century nostalgia was treated as a mental illness in some countries, as it was seen as a patient giving up on reasons to live and that their best days were behind them. There is definitely a good balance to have to be able to look back with a fondness at good times and also look forward to good things that are yet to happen.

[@TwoGendersOnly]

I fit that category and have been trying to find a balance. It's not easy when the world is in the state it's in. There's a whole lot more to it than just wanting to relive your childhood.

[@alexk9295]

@@TwoGendersOnly you're probably depressed

[@josephpurdy8390]

I know of a MUD that reached its hay day back in the late 1990s. There are inputs, wide variety of commands, and features in this game that haven't been done by big budget games. All these years later a free to play game with this many options few people play. Its nostalgia that would inspire anyone giving it a try. That is the biggest problem. Not how we think we remember it being, and how it stacks up with modern games. RetroMUD

[@TheTigerspy]

I turned 49 this year and I'm in the same boat. I wouldn't go back, but I think, maybe, that we subconsciously wish we had as much time as we did back then to continue to experience everything now and what is still to come. Being 50...the clock keeps ticking.

[@schmiggidy]

Same. Born 3-1-75 in OC, SoCal. I grew up at the dawm of the video game era ... a beach bum in the 80s/90s. It was a truly magical time and place to be alive! I have such fond memories of my youth, living with my younger bro (who now lives on the other side of the planet doing relief work with Palestinian refugees in Jordan) and two great parents who just clocked 50 years together last year. This entire thread is just so wholesome and encouraging! Warms my heart.

[@theseob]

Thanks for the heads up. Turning 50 this year and I guess I have to ride that roller coaster to. I’m so happy growing up in the 70 and 80’s. And the last year of so I’m rewatching all the great movies of my youth.

[@anthonyfarmer7659]

I just want to say thank you. Lately I’ve been in a really rough place mentally and emotionally and your videos are always something I can count on to bring a little happiness back into my life.

[@Armbreakfire]

Your energy and enthusiasm are why I love this channel so much! I have a deep appreciation for video games - past, present, and future. There's so much fun history to look back on, and my gaming experiences over the years have shaped my current perspective. It's also really exciting to speculate about the future of gaming and technology and to get hyped about new games.

[@wojiaobill]

The crazy thing is that a lot of John's favorite games that he's been talking about since the beginning of the channel like Ys and Phantasy Star were already old games when he started the channel. Really makes you put time into perspective

[@OmegaKatanaXIII]

Exactly they are 30 years old buy the time he started the show they are only 30 or 20 years old by then now they are 30 or 40 years old.

[@videogameobsession]

Time moves scarily fast as you get older. 51 here, and it's scary how fast the last several years have gone by. I think of video gaming like an elevator, always moving up onward, and upward,. To new games, new tech, VR, and whatever lies ahead, but I never hesitate to visit the other floors along the way.

[@ivosimac510]

I’m 34 this year and you got me with that “I’m not doing enough part”, that really resonates with me in multiple ways. I appreciate it. Have a nice day.

[@OmegaKatanaXIII]

Same here I wanted to videos but I felt to lazy to create videos as of late.

[@AdamsOlympia]

Hitting 46 next month and the only thing I'm dreading about the future is the natural body breakdown as we inch closer to old age. The next couple decades will pass in a flash, so it's an important time to go that extra mile in taking care of ourselves! I do miss the 80s, and to a lesser extent, the 90s. Kinda wish things didn't change quite as fast as they do, as you often don't have time to truly appreciate what you have until it's already gone. I love the nostalgic trip down memory lane I get from your channel though!

[@NeonPizza80s]

I don't miss the 'late' 90's(The early 90's however were just incredible) as much, but I'm starting to really appreciate them a lot more now compared to the current times we're living in. :P Vanilla Ice was right, the 90's(earlier) was the last greatest decade period. We didn't realize that 'that' was as good as it was going to get.

[@bryanedds8922]

@@NeonPizza80s stop. collaborate and listen. ice is back with a brand new edition.

[@btones]

Man, I'm 100% here for 80s/early 90s anime discussion. Talk about it like you do anything else: what it is, the genre it comes out of, the creators (what they did and what happened afterwards), how you discovered it, how it compares to it's contemporaries, what it means to you, etc. Hell, go chronologically through your favorites as if they were new releases. Treating it as if you had a KZbin channel in the 80s...but really, anything would be cool to listen to. Early 90s/Manga Entertainment is what I grew up on. And it's *still* my favorite aesthetic: adult-oriented, mecha, sci-fi, etc. And I wouldn't have discovered it had it not been for early Saturday morning anime on the Sci-fi Channel or some of the early comic cons I used to attend. Comic cons were someone would set up a booth to show 7th generation VHS copies of different movies/OVAs. Hell, that whole media discovery period was unlike anything we've had since the Internet opened up the world-finding something you loved that none of of your friends had heard of before, and then getting to share it all, gave early anime a real special/personal quality that you don't get now...now that everything is made readily available to stream. Bottom line is I know there are many of us who love an episode based around a classic anime show, trope, creator, etc. delivered with your usual (and infectious!) enthusiasm.

[@jeremiahbrewer6115]

I’m 42. Nostalgia is melancholy. It only gets worse with aging more. For most of us, the “good years” are already behind us, we just don’t know it yet. And we watch more pillars of our early life slip away forever through each decade, until it’s finally our turn, and there’s very little left that we recognize of life. And then that’s it.

[@rodneyabrett]

I also turned 50 recently and that number definitely forces you to think about your life and reflect on it. One thing I did was sell most of my retro game collection. It's not that I didn't love playing those old games, I just didn't want it to feel like an albatross around my neck that I needed to be happy and it started to feel like a giant weight on my back. I still play those games with emulation and I'm fine with that. A few years ago, I visited a friend who was in his 50s as well, and he was literally buried in his tiny apartment by retro DVDs and toys he's collected for several decades. 😆

[@MrSkullMerchant]

I deffinitely live in the past when it comes to gaming and movies/tv series

[@thepredator666qc4]

same here

[@NeonPizza80s]

Yup! I rarely ever watch newer movies or TV series anymore. I'm kind of done with it. It doesn't help that most modern movies are mostly hell bent on being as realistic as possible, and lack that fantastical belief suspending flare and charm, look and feel compared to the stuff from way back when. I've been pretty much done with it since the late 2000's. I get a far greater kick watching older stuff from the 80's(etc) that i've never experienced be it anime, horror movies and so much more, which still translates to a first time experience. But ya, i live it up as like it's a modernized late 80's and early 90's and couldn't be happier. Everything from the music videos, fashion, home decor/interior, games(including modern ala' switch), memorobillia etc, i gobble that stuff up on a daily basis.

[@chesspunk489]

Same

[@belstar1128]

so does Hollywood if you look at what they are putting out now nothing original at all

[@carlstevenwilletts]

I'm 52, and waves of nostalgia definitely come and go if I have time to think about things. Sometimes I will even wake up and for a moment or two I think I am back in my childhood or early adult years. I suppose my mind is indexing and putting things in order. 😄 Honestly, I think many things, movies, music, TV, sports, were better in the 70's and 80's. I find myself more out of sync with the world as I get older. I suspect this is natural. The longer we live, the more we see what we consider to be our world die.

[@schmiggidy]

To be fair, the world has truly gone to shit in the past decade or so, so it's only natural to think back on better times. I thank God he gave us the blessing of being able to live through such awesome decades during our youth -- even if it's the best we'll ever get during this life, at least we got it! I often find myself thinking how much my 4 now adult children (20/25/26/30) deserve a fantastic decade. They grew up in the late 00s/10s ... a COMPLETELY ALIEN and much darker, harder experience than our formative years (except for the tech, ofc).

[@FrogSpl4sh]

I'm 51. You feel like time's running out to just even play thru the pile of shame of stuff that you have right now. You have more years of awesome experiences behind you, than before you. It sucks, but it is what it is.

[@robertwatson5104]

Im 62. And still living in the 70,s and 80,s

[@MeltdownwithNeoplasmic]

Super relatable video! I'm 43 and there's so much that I remember that a bunch of my younger friends (most of whom are that, tbh) don't know about. Most of them are open to learning, but sometimes I feel very much like the odd man out or like they don't truly understand, lol. Anyway, thank you, Johnny, for sharing your enthusiasm, opinions, and exuberance! Always enjoy your videos, dude!

[@Terry3571]

I think you already have your answer to express your love of things: draw. Like Neil Gaiman once wrote: "don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can"

[@TRKTKO]

I wake up some days and I'm overwhelmed with questions like these man. It makes me feel good knowing I'm not alone.

[@Kinnison08]

Great video and I feel the same. When I turned 40, I started making lists of all my favorite "things", games, shows, movies, comics, etc. with dates. And I'm reliving all of these experiences again!

[@Dr.Pronkzapetto]

I love being in the present but also appreciate walks down memory lane.

[@joshsmith3893]

Gaming and media as a whole has lost the "community" aspect to it. It's not just nostalgia. There are still plenty of good things and much fun to be had but it's not the same as it was and it's not just because we're older.

[@patsampson2859]

I just turned 51 and have been feeling the same way you described since turning 50. Trying to figure out a way to either do something about those nostalgia thoughts and feelings of the stuff I live like comics, video games, anime, movies, musicand cartoons that made me who I am today. I have been wanting to go back and play old games (my game backlog) and talk about them with friends or anyone that would listen. I am able to do that with comics the last 7 years through a podcast I do with friends. But I want to branch out and do more. Like you said content creation takes a lot of time.

[@jamesherman3750]

Been following you for a few years now. I'm 23. I didnt grow up with the anime/games you did. But I discovered them now. Your Macross collection helped me fuel my vinyl collecting and expaning my own Macross collection. Thankyou. My dad is 44 and going through a bit of a crisis rn, I'll show him this video. ❤

[@marklion250]

This video is great and definitely a topic to think about. I think that I mostly live in the past and interests that I have now are connected to the past in some way. This past winter I went through my old PC and console games collection, and oh boy, how I want to replay them. I can remember the times when I played them, what was happening in my life. Games or nostalgia can really take you back in time. I can accept the present and enjoy new things, but nothing gets me as excited as something from my best time or a comeback of my favourite old franchise in any adequate form. You have a great show, Johhny. Thank you

[@twistedtick]

I’m turning 33 soon and already feel old. I am trying to focus more on enjoying my relative youth, because I know that if I don’t now, I’ll look back in twenty years and kick myself for it. Life is short, but beautiful. Don’t neglect to take in its wonders.

[@michaelmyersplays4992]

I’m 33 I feel you man. I miss the early 2000s going back playing the GameCube for the first time again. I never felt that feeling ever again after that

[@JonathanWillow-zz7rb]

Do it all before your knees go, my man.

[@SaviorGabriel]

I think it's a good thing that you're so inspired by the things that you love. You let us all live vicariously through that. It's something I've always appreciated this channel.

[@80sGenKid]

I don't really own anything from my childhood anymore but I do love watching videos that bring back nostalgia...I would love to snap my fingers and be transported back to the 80's and 90's, even as a grown adult...I miss the pizza parlors with arcade games, the comic books, all the hobbies I was in to, whether it was building model kits, or purchasing rulebooks for table top RP games. Those were magical times and speaking of time it seemed like there was a lot more of it to have to fill the day with in those days 🤣

[@anthonyherrick452]

Your show is legendary and you have touched thousands if not millions of people. Your energy has meant so much

[@Thifurious]

Proud to still be able to be watching you. I remember when you were talking about being 40 and gaming. I was going through cancer treatment at the time. We're still kickin' 💜

[@alpharorschach8708]

I know I'm a total stranger but I'm glad you are doing well 🤙🏻

[@JOEFRO2]

Glad you're still with us!

[@solar3mpire]

I'm happy sharing some nostalgia with you. Each video sparks some long forgotten memory, it helps me remember and find new ways to enjoy the old stuff.

[@kennylauderdale_en]

The past helps us contextualize the present. Unless you've changed drastically as a person, If you liked something from the 90s, odds are you'll still like today. Our memories help ground us.

[@mllarson]

"Live your authentic you" is probably the best way to describe living. Find what you are passionate about and damn what others think of you.

[@Farmeryeti]

I definitely get a sense of "I don't have time to enjoy all the things I like as much as I would like to enjoy them" so like I spend so much time deciding WHICH thing I want to focus on that I end up just kinda not doing any of it and just thinking about it a lot.

[@ladynikkie]

I understand I'm in my 40's and I feel like there are memories of my youth I still reflect on my problem is there's very few people that I can discuss my hobbies with.

[@GuyOnTheInternet53]

Johnny ive been watching you for a DECADE. Your channel always manages to have me escape from life and forget. Keep it up! Or don’t! Do what ya want! 13 or 14 years old, mid 20s now. Your videos make me smile more than ever

[@UpsetN3RD]

Being 40 I think so much about past experiences with games or anime and even just my childhood in general quite often. I used to think it was something wrong with it ,but I find that it isn't because for me it is important. I love reflecting back on why I love gaming and anime so much in the first place and how far those mediums have come. It also helps me to see how far I have personally grown. I love the present as well but revisiting games and anime that I loved from the 80's and 90's is a good way for me to continue to appreciate my passions and more importantly never to lose sight of who I am.

[@Brilj815]

I turn 40 in a few months. But most days I still feel like I'm 23. But then I see the woman I've been with for 16 years, and our 2 kids, that I'm like oh yeah, I'm a grown up. Definitely am nostalgic but...Amen to the present.

[@Estaran]

11:20 THIS! I had a lot of change in the last few years in my life (I'm 40 atm) and this is exactly the same for me. I only recently really began to embrace all the things that defined me, that eventually changed me for the better. Sometimes, like now, it feels like the late 2000s again when I first subscribed to this channel and for the first time thought all this might be nostalgia talking (I had my first job, my own flat, my own life at that time). Then I go back to the late 80s and 90s and relive all that great memories of things, that I still care for. And all the people that stepped into my life and made these things worthwhile to begin with. Thanks for sharing these thoughts with us, Johnny. :)

[@bhvrd]

Just turned 50 myself and all I play anymore is classic Everquest, it really takes me back and still holds so much nostalgia and has player interactions I always look for in other titles, dunno why I ever left to try so many new things that never compared.

[@PhantasyStarved]

There's no easy singular answer to this, Johnny. But as someone around your age - just a little older - know that every time you slide in music from Ys III or FF6, every time you slide in a scene from Bubblegum Crisis or Otaku No Video, every time you mention activities like swapping raw anime through VHS tapes or buying hundreds of dollars worth of bootleg merchandise at comic cons because there's literally nowhere else to see or get anything around you, just know that there's thousands of us reminiscing along the way. We'll create quite the interesting scene in nursing homes someday. I imagine myself getting dragged back to my room by the aides screaming, "Oh, Devil Hunter Yohko is too much for you pansies, huh?! I'm bringing Urotskidoji next time, ****ers!! Hey someone grab my Policenauts will ya, I'm replaying that"

[@tomwisniewski8988]

I'm 51 years old and I totally relate, brother! It's the by-product of decades of life experiences. I find it important to embrace the things I love even more and I find I'm more present when I engage with it.

[@OGBuddah]

As someone who has been watching the channel for a very long time and is currently typing this up while also hosting events for the linkshell on retail FFXI, I can say the moments we do have and can share are far more special than speculating on having more. All the more reason to cherish the ones we have. Kudos good Sir!

[@daytonszalay1422]

I've had a similar feeling lately and I've narrowed it down to missing the times where I had friends around all the time enjoying things like games, movies and collectables. Now that I'm 31 I have money and tons of games but no one to really share it all with and share that energy you're talking about. I'm a local Burnaby subscriber by the way ! Thanks for all your videos I've always enjoyed the content.

[@matthewbarrios1028]

I 100 percent live in the past and nostalgia. It affects how I feel about new games, movies, and music. It would seem to me that it is normal to do that.

[@alexk9295]

Have you talked to a professional about that?

[@enriquepinero707]

What I am about to suggest is merely a suggestion as I have no idea your financial situation or what it would take to do this; but you should open up a store that sell all your favorite things (retro, modern games, anime, comics, ect). Also continue this channel through the store as well. I would love to visit your store or order things from it! Just make sure it would have the same name is this channel!

[@DarthTayder]

I totally understand how you’re feeling. I can relate a little because there is soo many things I love where I wish I could make someone understand why I feel this way to maybe try to get other people interested. But it’s hard to explain.

[@supermahmoud]

I see no problem Johnny! for real! I feel you brother, I'm 43 and I'm so much nostalgic too! Whenever I feel the need to express it, I go back to playing a video game, watching an anime, composing music, or simply share it with people in one of my videos! So keep making videos Johnny, share all of that nostalgia of your with us, keep up the good work ;)

[@churchsnaturescenes7864]

I was in a nostalgic mood just the other night. Threw on the first Ninja Turtle movie from 1990. Gotta watch that movie once a year no matter what or it doesnt feel right. I honestly want to live back in the era of when MK2 and MK3 were out. Still my favourite game of all time would be Mortal Kombat 3. I have it sitting there right now hooked up to my tv through my Sega CDX which I'll never sell cause I hear the CDX is quite the collectors item. I'm not really where I want to be in my life right now but working on it but I dont live in the past because of that, can only look forward.

[@imoldgregg8]

Don't we all brother 😂 love you ❤

[@fenbops]

Ever drank baileys from a shoe?

[@imoldgregg8]

@fenbops Whatchu doin fishin in my waters motha licka?

[@fenbops]

@@imoldgregg8 you must love me, exactly how I love you.

[@outoftouchmedia24]

I live about 45 minutes away from where I grew up, and a couple of times a year I like to drive over to my old neighborhood just to feel the nostalgia takeover me. It's a deeply personal experience.

[@StevenVillman]

I feel you - figurative man - I really do feel you! Although I'm a few years younger than you, I have the same "problem". I wish here that I could express my love for my passions/hobbies more there - especially with ones that I grew up with there (i.e. 1980's and 1990's cartoon shows and movies, live-action T.V. shows and movies, toys, and video games).

[@james441]

I feel the label ‘nostalgia’ is kinda given to us in a condescending way. It’s literally factual that games back then were better. They may look better now but they’ll truly never have that same feeling as games back then did.

[@bobbywrtm]

It's not only you Johnny, I have the same feeling because how the gaming and movie industry evolves now with all studios and publishers are focusing on social justice stuffs, max profit and exploiting peoples with live service and microtransactions, and any other stuffs beside their main purpose.... being a fun experience That's why older games, anime, and shows now becomes more and more appealing to me

[@brandoboyer731]

These are my favorite kind of videos you make.. I watch because you bring me back to a time in my life that now seems like distant pleasent dream. Hearing you talk about your life and experiences reminds me of my own life and helps me remember. And for that i thank you

[@gameyjamie7464]

This really speaks to me. I'm nostalgic for so many things from my formative years. 80's and 90's films, gaming on my Amiga/SNES/N64, reading LotR and Terry Pratchett books, anime like Guyver or the Ghibli films - and thats the tip of the iceberg. There's too much to express in any way i can think! Its wonderful but also feels like I'm failing that memory somehow, like I'm duty-bound to honour it all somehow. Your channel is an amazing outlet for your fantastic stories about video games, but i totally understand theres so much more you want to share.

[@mr.orange8205]

It isn't necessary to imagine the world ending in fire or ice. There are two other possibilities: one is paperwork, and the other is nostalgia. Eventually within the next quarter of a century, the nostalgia cycles will be so close together that people will not be able to take a step without being nostalgic for the one they just took. At that point, everything stops. Death by Nostalgia. - Frank Zappa

[@opaljk4835]

Frank is always kind of right, but always kind of wrong too.

[@htexvegas1]

You are a breathe of fresh air. I’m 48 so right there with you. I’ve struggled with nostalgia too. You have to be present with the here and now. Especially if you have young children. 80% present, 20 % rear view.

[@Khyron2512]

Im 51 and am just glad that i have ppl like u to share such thoughts abt gaming and anime experiences back in the 80s

[@robertobech]

I see many here resonated with the nostalgia thing, but what really hit me was the "I wish I could do more with my love for that". I started a Phantasy Star website when I was 20, then a few years later I started a retrogaming blog, and that's exactly how I used to feel. I just had this huge passion for these things in me and felt like I just had to tell everybody about it. And that's what I did for years, I blogged furiously, reached a ton of people, eventually became a contributor to a gaming magazine. I'm now 45 and this thing inside of me calmed down a fair bit, maybe because life got a little crazy and I had to shift most of my focus to another aspect of my life, but man, I totally get what you mean when you say this bubbles inside you. It's not just about loving things deeply, it's about feeling the urge to share it with everybody so that everybody can love it too.

[@ignacio6454]

But you know what it is that we feel Johnny? Where it comes from? Is our connection to those PEOPLE, who created this art, because it is their dreams!! And if we could somehow, love them, help them, support them, but many of them are gone. That is the burden you feel Johnny and that I feel, is called... love.

[@Dilios_of_Sparta]

I totally live in the past... all day, everyday. Recently, I've been missing John Candy, and Ive been watching a lot of his comedies. Hard to believe he's been gone for 30 years.

[@Clesstan]

I think this is a good example of consumerism ruining an honest and passionate man. Notice how John is longing for "more" and wants to express his love for the medium.. and what examples he gives? I bought merch.. I got every single copy of this or that.. while this is fine in itself, I think there lies the issue as well. John is obviously a creative and passionate person. He used to draw and he expresses that he regrets not persuing "making/creating" the comics and ideas he had growing up. That's a key point. For creative types, it's a huge struggle to always consume without producing anything. And while John is by no means a slob, I mean he's super hard working at what he does and is very consistent (long time fan btw) but also when it comes to someone so passionate about the medium, the stories and art side of it; it is really tough to just go through all these wonderful stories made by other artists and not make one of your own. I say this as someone who struggles with this as well. I have personal projects that I have yet to fully realize. But what I've learned -and this is my advice to John- is you need to pick up one of those ideas and start working on it.. start small.. and nothing too serious. If you like to write or draw.. do that.. if you play and instrument or you love creating/composing music.. do that.. reclaim that passion.. and try to make it your own.. meaning: Don't try to share this with the world or anyone (except for those close to you) and let the project take a form of itself. If it grows bigger, awesome! If not, you'll still be happy you did it anyways. And I promise you it'll bridge that gap between your childhood self, and your adult current nostalgic self. It'll be much more fulfilling than buying anything or receiving anything from anyone. It may be corny.. but the happiness is within you when it comes to creative fullfillment. *insert always has been meme here* Well, at least that's my experience, I hope this was of some help to anyone reading.

[@soyUsernameWasTaken]

I'm 40, and I'm with you, man. You're not alone. Never. There are a bunch of us out here. I'm just thankful that were able to express ourselves the way we do now. Back in highschool, i had to hide it cuz people are getting beat up just for reading comic books lol. Keep doing what you do, brother. Everytime you talk about these stuff, i just feel that i have a friend who understands, love the stuff that i love, and went through what i went through.

[@davebladegun3009]

For me, nostalgia is a wonderful thing when it occurs naturally; however, when I *seek it out* it becomes like a toxin and it drags me backwards. I struggle constantly with the passage of time, and nostalgia can be a coping mechanism for that, but it mustn’t become a crutch or else I lose sight of what’s important in the here-and-now.

[@MarkTheDead]

I had this very conversation with my brother-in-law last night.. we're in our early 30's, but we felt that the 90's was a very fortunate time to grow up in. Fighting games were in their golden age, anime was beginning to catch fire, etc. It's very old of me to say, but it's different now and I'm very glad to be raised then. However, I also feel I need a place for my creativity, I need to find my own outlet. This video has given me some peace of mind, so thank you for the content as always.

[@RKS92101]

I'm 31 and I feel like I forgot how to love gaming as much. It breaks my heart

[@timothyboone4794]

I can feel what you're trying to say brother. So many amazing experiences in life to look back on, having my first crush, playing in my first band, discovering Hellsing and then Bleach, playing FFVII and FFXI, getting candy and watching some 90s movie in a theater, shopping at the mall or the music shop or Spencer's..I get it dude. It's heartbreaking because it's a memory, but it's our heart. Our shared experiences. I love you all.

[@Gaizen82]

I'm turning 41 this year and sometimes I scroll thru the TIk tok and often see the Nostalgia video with that nostalgia sound and I remember back how it was such a great time back then. Things were so simple there no internet, there no scalpers, awesome time. I can go into any game store and can be so surprise to fall upon a game i never seen before. It was a such happy times, and its a realtity check that those times are long gone.

[@Arashi1138]

I feel a variation of this. Not just with consuming content, but in general. So many things I want to do, see, play, experience - but there's only so much time. I've started dividing the little time I have free between the old and new now. Gives me time to get through my backlog, try out new things, and re-visit favorites from the past. I'm still not great at it yet, but I find it lets me re-evaluate some things, and either confirm or re-discover others.

[@dreamz735]

I’m a new subscriber and I’m 25 but I appreciate more and more older games and nostalgia I’m on the same boat

[@Johnenoch226]

We are about the same age. I get nostalgic about games, movies, music and events in the late 70’s 80’s and 90’s. It means we had a great life and cherish the times.

[@realitymegabites4816]

Love... just replaying classic old ones. That never seems to get old. Now you See TV - KZbin

[@Tokyoremedy]

I love living in the present, but that’s why I love old movies and old games because it essentially feels like I’m travelling back in time, and while I appreciate those moments, I am always happy living in the present

[@MachoChannel213]

All this passion and energy is not a problem! You’re a unique and loving individual that the world needs more of. We’ll be with you here to enjoy, to rant, and share the same passion with ya!

[@drawcomics]

What’s really healthy is that you seem to have that same love for current things and are discovering more things as well as thinking about the old stuff. That love is going to be an asset as you grow older… I’ve seen people that don’t have that same passion in their old age, like my parents, who spend their days not really connecting with anything because they’ve long since lost interest. I don’t have nearly the passion you have, but I hope I maintain it for the rest of my life… it’s a big part of what makes life great