For our next WOTM I have decided to pick one of my personal favourite sites on the internet – 8-Bit Central (www.8-bitcentral.com), a site of such depth you could trawl it all day and still want more.
From the homepage:
8-Bit Central is dedicated to preserving retro gaming by providing detailed info & images of video game consoles & handhelds from multiple angles, documenting ports & connections and showcasing some of the more interesting accessories. Our aim is informing & inspiring anyone passionate or curious about retro gaming to delve into 8-bit gaming and 1980’s arcade wonder!
8-Bit Central is is run by Pete, a man passionate about retrogaming and also a big fan of the older systems such as Atari 2600 and ColecoVision, much like myself. First and foremost 8-Bit Central is a repository for information and images relating to individual retro video game consoles and their related software, but Pete also likes to blog about his pastime and the site’s big strength is in his ability to mix it up a little, with his love of using modern tech for retrogaming not being overshadowed by his love of their original vintage ancestors.
And as if supplying us with lots of humorous retro information overload via his site wasn’t enough, Pete also produces entertaining and informative Youtube videos covering all aspects of the retro scene.
So what are you waiting for? Read the interview with Pete below then go check out his site!
Interview with Pete, founder of 8-Bit Central
When did you become interested in video games and what was the first video game you played?
Pete: The first game I ever played hooked me on video games in the late 70’s. It was Space Invaders at my local bowling alley.
What was the first games console or computer you owned and how old were you?
Pete: A friend of mine got an Atari 2600 for Christmas and showed me Space Invaders. I went home and explained to my parents that we absolutely had to have a 2600. It took a while, but they finally agreed. My Mom took me to a nearby home-appliance store to buy it. The salesman had to climb up a tall ladder above all the dishwashers, laundry and refrigerators to get the Atari box from the rafters. A very odd retail experience. I was probably 12 or 13 years old.
I went off to college with a Kaypro portable computer that was the size of a small suitcase. My friends and I would hack the games to make them a bit more interesting.
What is 8-Bit Central?
Pete: As a website, it’s an online repository for everything I love about video games. As a concept it reminds me of all the ways that retro gaming still influences modern gaming.
What inspired you to start the site?
Pete: Almost every early game console promised an add-on that would turn it into a computer. Primarily, these consoles had only one input – the cartridge slot. As manufacturing improved and accessories became more prominent, various ports were added to game consoles. As I collected consoles, I became fascinated with the differing array or ports they offered. Nothing was universal like USB is today.
As I looked around the web, it was easy to find a 3/4 view “product shot” of any game console, but pictures of ports, slots and connections were harder to find. I decided to begin photographing my consoles from all angles with close-ups of the unique ports. I still add photos as I acquire hardware.
What got you into collecting videogames, computers and consoles?
Pete: My collection comes from an inability to stop buying stuff and equal disdain for getting rid of anything. I’m not a hoarder, but I don’t mind having a dozen copies of Asteroids for the 2600. I’ve always thought “if one is good, two are better.” I admit to having a collection, but that’s simply the result of my random love of gaming. I consider collectors to be those with a plan, a list and a goal. I’m happy to see my collection grow, but it does so in an extremely random manner.
What is your most prized retrogaming possession and how much did it cost you?
Pete: Everyone has that fantasy of finding something with “holy grail” status in a box at a yard sale. I’m still waiting for that to happen:)
I’ve never been one to spend a lot on a single item.
What is your favourite hardware manufacturer (Sega, Nintendo, Atari Commodore etc.) ?
Pete: Growing up as an Atari kid, I love that iconic logo & name. I’ve found them a particularly interesting company as they came up in the arcade era and did so many innovative things in building a home console market. I’m also a huge Nintendo fan for their continued backward compatibility. I consider them one of the smartest companies even though their brilliance is often misunderstood or ignored. They have an amazing ability to add life to their game libraries across many consoles.
What is your favourite console or computer?
Pete: I’m a big fan of the Atari 7800 with it’s 2600 compatibility as it plays so many of my favorite games from childhood. The NES is a close second. Computer-wise the Atari 800 offered improved versions of my favorite 2600 arcade titles and a slew of crazy titles via floppy.
The burning house scenario: which part of your collection would you save first?
Pete: My whole collection is centrally located and I’m a madman on the garden-hose, so I’m hoping I can fend off the flames. Barring that, I’m outta there with my 2600 carts!
The Desert Island scenario: which one console and game would you take?
Pete: Can I say- my Caanoo with a fat SD card full of ROMs? Probably not…
I’d have to take my 2600 and Space Invaders. I’ve never been a fan of games with actual endings. I prefer the progressively harder levels of a play-until-you-die game.
What are your plans for the site going forward?
Pete: I still add hardware pictures as I acquire new-to-me items. I enjoy writing and have been posting daily to our Blog. I do my best to post original content or at least bring a different angle to a popular topic or story. For example, there’s been a ton of coverage about Flappy Bird, but I love that it has now been ported to so many retro consoles from Vectrex to 2600!
As a web developer by trade, I like to fiddle with the code to make the site easier to use and/or more useful/interesting to visitors. It’s rewarding to come up with a new idea and build it out on the site. I recently came up with a way to have some fun with those ridiculously tall infographics that seem to be popping up.