The Video Game Critic
Encyclopedia
The Video Game Critic is a website focused on video-game reviews and run by David Mrozek. It was established in 1999, and is known for featuring comprehensive reviews on many early gaming platforms.
and modern platforms, such as the Nintendo Wii, has been noted as having an "immense" knowledge of gaming. He is by profession a computer programmer, and established Dave's Video Game Reviews in 1999, citing an inspiration from the reviewing format of the website "Tomorrow's Heroes". An early version of his site was primarily text-based, and featured reviews solely on the Atari 2600. The platforms reviewed eventually expanded, and by 2000 the name of the site had changed to The Video Game Critic. The original URL, www.thevideogamecritic.com, was stolen by a gambling website when Mrozek forgot to renew the domain, so the URL was shortened to its current address. Besides being consulted for video game reviews, Mrozek has given advice on setting up video hardware. He has also been referenced in research journals regarding gaming systems, appeared in a podcast
for RetroGaming, and written for Retrogaming Times.
and MobyGames
. It is referred to regarding other classic platforms, such as the NES
, Magnavox Odyssey²
, Sega Genesis, and ColecoVision
, and has been used as a preferred database by contemporaries, such as by Stephen Glicker
. It also has been used as a resource for the class "Fundamentals of Game Engine Development" at Westwood College
, and as a reference in a thesis for game development. The rating system used by The Video Game Critic is similar to the grading system used by educational institutions, and has a range of "A+" to "F-". One striking difference between many other review sites is that The Video Game Critic rates primarily on the gameplay, or the level of enjoyment. Secondarily, he factors in the games graphics, sound and control, and the length of the review is typically a paragraph. Critiquing the way other review sites tend to dismiss early video games, Mrozek has said "I was also tired of reviewers trashing old games solely because of their antiquated graphics while being totally oblivious to their excellent, timeless gameplay".
In 2003, The Video Game Critic named White Men Can't Jump
the "worst video game of all time".
History
Mrozek, a self proclaimed fan of early platforms such as the Atari 2600Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
and modern platforms, such as the Nintendo Wii, has been noted as having an "immense" knowledge of gaming. He is by profession a computer programmer, and established Dave's Video Game Reviews in 1999, citing an inspiration from the reviewing format of the website "Tomorrow's Heroes". An early version of his site was primarily text-based, and featured reviews solely on the Atari 2600. The platforms reviewed eventually expanded, and by 2000 the name of the site had changed to The Video Game Critic. The original URL, www.thevideogamecritic.com, was stolen by a gambling website when Mrozek forgot to renew the domain, so the URL was shortened to its current address. Besides being consulted for video game reviews, Mrozek has given advice on setting up video hardware. He has also been referenced in research journals regarding gaming systems, appeared in a podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
for RetroGaming, and written for Retrogaming Times.
Reviews
The Video Game Critic contains approximately 3,800 video game reviews spanning across 40 consoles and portables. The site is known for providing information on some of the rarer consoles, such as Astrocade system, as well as being featured on early videogaming platform-specific sites such as AtariAgeAtariAge
Atari Age was a magazine distributed to Atari Club members from 1982 until 1984. It was published by The Atari Club Inc., a subsidiary of Atari, Inc.-History:...
and MobyGames
MobyGames
-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...
. It is referred to regarding other classic platforms, such as the NES
Nes
-Localities:In Norway:* Nes, Akershus, a municipality in the county of Akershus in Norway* Nes, Buskerud, a municipality in the county of Buskerud in Norway* Nes, Hedmark, a former municipality in the county of Hedmark in Norway...
, Magnavox Odyssey²
Magnavox Odyssey²
The Magnavox Odyssey², known in Europe as the Philips Videopac G7000, in Brazil as the Philips Odyssey, in the United States as the Magnavox Odyssey² and the Philips Odyssey², and also by many other names, is a video game console released in 1978.In the early 1970s, Magnavox was an innovator in the...
, Sega Genesis, and ColecoVision
ColecoVision
The ColecoVision is Coleco Industries' second generation home video game console which was released in August 1982. The ColecoVision offered arcade-quality graphics and gaming style, and the means to expand the system's basic hardware...
, and has been used as a preferred database by contemporaries, such as by Stephen Glicker
Stephen Glicker
Stephen Glicker is a video game designer, programmer and blogger. He founded his first company, Creative Simulations, in 1986. During this time he wrote, designed, programmed and published his first computer game "Mall Maniacs" for the Apple II computer system.After the success of his entry into...
. It also has been used as a resource for the class "Fundamentals of Game Engine Development" at Westwood College
Westwood College
Westwood College, owned by Alta Colleges Inc., is a United States for-profit institution of higher learning with 17 campus locations in six states and online learning options. Westwood is accredited by national organizations including the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of...
, and as a reference in a thesis for game development. The rating system used by The Video Game Critic is similar to the grading system used by educational institutions, and has a range of "A+" to "F-". One striking difference between many other review sites is that The Video Game Critic rates primarily on the gameplay, or the level of enjoyment. Secondarily, he factors in the games graphics, sound and control, and the length of the review is typically a paragraph. Critiquing the way other review sites tend to dismiss early video games, Mrozek has said "I was also tired of reviewers trashing old games solely because of their antiquated graphics while being totally oblivious to their excellent, timeless gameplay".
In 2003, The Video Game Critic named White Men Can't Jump
White Men Can't Jump (video game)
White Men Can't Jump was a video game released for the Atari Jaguar in 1995, based on the movie of the same name. As in the movie, players play games of two-on-two street basketball. It came with the Team Tap Adaptor allowing four players to play in tandem...
the "worst video game of all time".