April 25, 2006 at 12 AM

On Reviewing for Pleasure

I’ve never owned a video game system. When I was 10, and every kid and their little brother owned a Nintendo, my mother informed me that she didn’t think I ought to have one. I can’t complain though; my folks gave me a computer instead and I’m pretty sure it was one of the sparks that led me down the path to becoming the jack-of-trades web design guy that I am today. So instead of playing Metroid and Kid Icarus, I played King’s Quest and used my paint program.

Maybe it all stems from that, but I never really looked back. From time to time, I fantasized about owning one, especially when the Atari Lynx came out in all its splendiferous colourful goodness, but ultimately, I got hooked on computers and when my uncle bought me a modem and I started futzing around on bulletin board systems (BBSes), I never really looked back.

What I’m trying to say is that I’ve never owned a video game system, and I’m not sure I ever will. Anyone who knows me well knows I spend enough time staring at a screen — I would never need the additional distraction!

So it’s somewhat surprising that I link to Cabel Sasser’s video review of the Nintendo DS Lite. The thing is, you don’t have to care about the Nintendo to enjoy the review. You don’t have to care about video games at all, or technology, or shiny plastic white objects of any kind. He could be reviewing yarn and it would still be enjyoable. Sasser is just terribly amusing on his own merits. Watch the review. Now! Then watch parts two and three. Especially part three. The montage sequence is not to be missed.

In his day job, Sasser is one of the founders of Panic Software, a purveyor of fine Mac applications like Transmit (my personal favourite for FTP). I wouldn’t suggest he quit his day job, because he’s good at that too, but clearly he’s got a second career opportunity as a technology reviewer. Sure beats the pants of that other guy — you know, the one you see on Air Canada flights after the movie is over.

Previously: Camera Dorkness

Subsequently: Google Maps Expand to EU

April 2006
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