A RANT APPROACHES

Many of you are probably already familiar with this.
Yesterday a friend sent me this.
Today a blogger friend posted this.

Growing up with NES, I have many fond memories of the era, so part of me appreciates these
pitch perfect creations. That being said, they're also my personal tipping point of the 8-bit
culture. I've been tolerating 8-bit nostalgia for the past few years, but now I have finally come
to loathe it. The pre-faded t-shirts, belt buckles, cover bands, pop culture references, tattoos,
the Konami code. I'm even guilty of contributing to it myself, with my sketch group having
made a Dr. Wily-related video (which Dtoid was kind enough to post). But I want it all to go away.

I'm not a fan of retro and nostalgia in general. But 8-bit nostalgia especially irritates me
because people tend to treat it like it's some inside joke that only a few get. Like NES wasn't
a cultural phenomenon that FUCKING EVERYONE was aware and has yet to forget. If you
think only "nerds" get your 1-up mushroom t-shirt, you're an idiot. On top of this, it seems like
a lot of people into this kind of stuff pride themselves on these "geeky" interests as though
they're somehow unique and counterculture. I'd guess other interests of people like this
include "fun" and "cool stuff."

I don't want to sound like a complete dick that hates 8-bit because I don't. Nor do I think all
video game-related merch is stupid. But to me, it seems the majority of this current 8-bit
culture is simply co-opting the past rather than celebrating it. I doubt the same dumbass jock
that wears an NES belt buckle would ever be caught dead rocking a shirt with a Saturn logo.
So go ahead and proudly fly your 8-bit flag, just don't define yourself by it. And if you're one
of the ones that do, I have some unrelated bad news you: everybody else loves Pulp Fiction
too.