Angry Video Game Nerd
| Angry Video Game Nerd | |
|---|---|
| Angry Video Game Nerd The Angry Video Game Nerd logo. | |
| Genre | Physical comedy, reviewer |
| Created by | James Duncan Rolfe |
| Developed by | Cinemassacre Productions |
| Directed by | James Duncan Rolfe |
| Presented by | ScrewAttack |
| Starring | James Duncan Rolfe Mike Matei Kyle Justin |
| Theme music composer | James Duncan Rolfe (lyrics), Kyle Justin (music) |
| Opening theme | "Angry Video Game Nerd Theme" |
| Composers | James Duncan Rolfe (lyrics), Kyle Justin (music) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 89 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Producer | James Duncan Rolfe |
| Production locations | Newark, New Jersey (season 1-3)[citation needed] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (season 3-present)[citation needed] |
| Editor | James Duncan Rolfe |
| Camera setup | Liam Mulvey |
| Running time | Varies, usually 2-22 minutes per episode |
| Original release | |
| Network | Internet: YouTube ScrewAttack GameTrailers CineMassacre |
| Release | May 16, 2004 – present |
The Angry Video Game Nerd (abbreviated as AVGN, occasionally shortened to The Nerd) is a character in a series of farcical retrogaming video reviews by James Duncan Rolfe.[2][3] The show generally revolves around retro game reviews that involve bitter rants against particularly low-quality or poorly designed video games, often associated with movie tie-ins. The series began as a feature on YouTube, and later joined ScrewAttack Entertainment, which would later have three of its features, including the AVGN, transferred to GameTrailers exclusively. The show, formerly known as The Angry Nintendo Nerd, was renamed because the show started reviewing games on other consoles.[4]
The Nerd character is an ill-tempered and foul-mouthed video game fanatic. He derives comic appeal from excessive and inventive use of profanity, frequent displays of explicit gestures, and heavy consumption of beer, particularly Rolling Rock or Yuengling. A particular characteristic, which has become something of a trademark of his character, is for him to describe, in great detail, extremely repulsive and painful, usually firmly scatological acts, and to claim that he would rather endure them than to play the game that he is reviewing. Varying amounts of physical comedy are mixed into the verbal abuses as well as lines from American Movie as an inside joke due to Rolfe's freelance work.
History
Rolfe first started to do reviews as a child in the late 80s to the early 90s, but did not really take off until he made a short review of the NES game Castlevania II: Simon's Quest in 2004. Rolfe decided to make another video which was supposed to be the last, because Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was his most hated game. At the time, he was drinking the beer Rolling Rock, and this became a signature trait of The Nerd, and he decided to use it in later videos. The videos were produced and published on Cinemassacre.com.[4] In 2006, the videos were put on YouTube under the name of "Angry Nintendo Nerd". He later changed the name to "Angry Video Game Nerd" to prevent trademark issues.[4] Along with the name change, the Nerd soon diversified, reviewing games on other platforms such as the Atari 2600, Super Nintendo, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Virtual Boy, Atari 5200, Nintendo 64, TurboGrafx-16, Sega Saturn and PlayStation. Along with reviewing games, some episodes have featured other video game-related items, such as the Power Glove, the U-Force and other NES accessories, movie reviews of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III and The Wizard, and a tribute to Nintendo Power. He also references video game culture in a reenactment of the retro console wars in one video in a Wii tribute.
Rolfe has stated on his website that the first videos he made were "just a joke" and he had no intention of making them public,[4] instead showing them only to friends. After two years passed, Mike Matei suggested he put the reviews online. They soon did, and since then, his reviews have become increasingly popular and have developed a large fanbase.[5] Rolfe's videos grew longer, soon turning into an actual series complete with title cards, an intro song and official merchandise, hats, two versions of t-shirts, and the AVGN Volume 1 DVD (2004~2006 episodes), followed by the Volume 2 DVD (2007 episodes), and the Volume 3 DVD (2008 episodes). After his fourth online review on YouTube, ScrewAttack invited him to have his own section on their website and has since been employed by MTV Networks' GameTrailers.com.[6] Since then, new videos are GameTrailers exclusives released approximately every two to four weeks with Rolfe posting episodes on his YouTube account over a year after its original GameTrailers release.
Rolfe's YouTube account was suspended on May 19, 2008, due to an alleged copyright claim by GameTrailers on his trailer for the reviews of the Spider-Man games.[7] Ironically, GameTrailers' YouTube account was also suspended on the same day due to a copyright claim allegedly by its own company. Rolfe's account was reinstated the following day, with GameTrailers claiming confusion over which videos their staff should have reported.[citation needed]
Rolfe's Nerd character is portrayed as a vulgar and irascible gamer who is fed up with and hates playing horrible games, sometimes begging the viewer not to force him. In many guest appearances, the guest does not always attack him as suggested but tortures him by making him play bad games, regardless of who the person is. While he claims he hates doing so, he has implied that he is actually quite addicted to playing bad games. When he briefly decided to only play good games to enjoy himself, he almost immediately made it clear he would "rather" play the bad ones.
The Angry Video Game Nerd show originated on YouTube under the JamesNintendoNerd Channel, where it was known as the Angry Nintendo Nerd show until November 15, 2006. The show was aired entirely on YouTube until James Rolfe joined with Gametrailers, after which the YouTube account was used only for trailers and miscellaneous videos. On July 25, 2008, older episodes that were exclusive only to Gametrailers started being gradually uploaded to the JamesNintendoNerd Channel for the YouTube subscribers.[8] As of January 2010, his channel is the 30th most subscribed on Youtube, as well as the seventh most subcribed director channel on Youtube.
Show
Episodes
Special guests
Occasionally, "special guests" based on famous film and television characters make appearances. These guests often provide additional commentary on the games and mock the Nerd's anguish, becoming increasingly foul mouthed and derisive as the episodes progress. Most of the characters are played by Mike Matei, who also illustrates the show's title cards. His roles include Freddy Krueger, Bugs Bunny, etc. Freddy Krueger was played by James Rolfe, with Matei taking on the role when both the Nerd and Freddy were in view.[9] Kyle Justin played both Spider-Man and Cousin Itt in separate episodes, which were accompanied by him performing the theme songs from Spider-Man and The Addams Family, with reworked lyrics. Justin was also featured in the Battletoads and second Bugs Bunny (Crazy Castle) episodes as himself. Kevin Finn played the Ninja in his Ninja Gaiden review.
Some episodes have a basic storyline inspired by the plot of the game or movie being reviewed (e.g. in the Halloween review, the Nerd is stalked by Michael Myers while he goes babysitting). In these cases, guests are used to play the episode-specific characters.
In The Nerd's take on A Christmas Carol, Stuttering Craig and Handsome Tom, co-founders of ScrewAttack, appear as the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Present, respectively. A Dracula sprite from Castlevania II: Simon's Quest represents the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.[10][11]
Music
The Angry Video Game Nerd theme song was composed by independent musician Kyle Justin. The lyrics were the work of both Justin and Rolfe.[12] Some of the lyrics come from comments made by Rolfe in his review of Back to the Future.
The original version of the theme song, which refers to the titular character as the "Angry Nintendo Nerd," features only an acoustic guitar. The second recording is similar to the original but features a more refined performance and an extra lyric at the end referring to the "Angry Video Game Nerd." This version of the theme song was used in the Sega Master System Rocky review, quickly displaced by the third version, then used again in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle review. The third version, which debuted in the "Atari 5200" video, features an overdriven electric guitar and drum set. This version significantly expands on the original song, adding more verses, choruses, and new music. However, a pared-down version, similar in structure to the second version of the theme song, is normally used. The full version is only featured in the Sega CD review and on the DVD set.
The theme song has been covered by fans in genres from heavy metal to chiptune. Rolfe occasionally features a vocal or instrumental cover of the theme song in lieu of the original version in the main titles or end titles of a video. The cover by Dustin Aßmuteit is featured as an extra on the first DVD set.
In addition to the Angry Video Game Nerd theme song, several songs have been parodied and performed by Kyle Justin in Angry Video Game Nerd episodes, including "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (both "Bible Games" episodes), the Spider-Man theme song ("Spider-Man"), and the Addams Family theme song ("Fester's Quest"). "Nintendo Power" features a cover of the theme song from Nintendo Power commercials, while the Intellivision and the ColecoVision reviews feature a cover of Foreigner's "Double Vision".
The scores for Angry Video Game Nerd episodes are culled from a variety of sources, including film soundtracks, television soundtracks, stock music, and pop music. Some episodes, including "Friday the 13th" (DVD version only), "Nightmare on Elm Street" (DVD version only), "Rocky" (DVD version only), "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Halloween", and "An Angry Nerd Christmas Carol" have necessitated the composition of original scores. Musician Chris Holland has contributed several rock songs, including covers of the opening song from Mickey's Christmas Carol by Irwin Kostal, the "Theme from Star Trek" by Alexander Courage, and the march from Superman by John Williams.
Animated characters
The show also makes use of original animated characters to add commentary or advance an episode-specific plot. The review of Master Chu and the Drunkard Hu uses a character called "Shit Pickle" to comment on the game play. In the Wizard/Super Mario Bros. 3 review, the Nerd calls upon the "Super Mecha Death Christ 2000 B.C 4.0 Beta" to assist in the destruction of a demonically possessed Super Mario Bros. 3 cartridge. This character is a combination of Jesus, robotic components, assorted weapons, and a tank. Both Shit Pickle and Super Mecha Death Christ are originally from Rolfe's film "The Wizard of Oz 3: Dorothy Goes to Hell"[13] and are voiced by James Rolfe and created by Mike Matei. Rolfe explained on his website that Super Mecha Death Christ was created as a spoof on the numerous Mecha-characters found in the Godzilla movies, such as Mechagodzilla.[14] During his review of the Magnavox Odyssey, a character called "The Nerdy Turd" (who is a clone made from the Nerd's feces) is introduced.
DVD
On November 18, 2007, the first AVGN DVD set was released. It includes all of the episodes up to the first Bible Games episode. Some material, such as movie clips from Back to the Future and Rocky, were removed to avoid copyright infringement and replaced with new material. The DVD includes extended versions of the "Wally Bear and the NO Gang!" and "Rocky" reviews as well as an original documentary, deleted scenes, and most of the videos posted exclusively on ScrewAttack.com. In all, the DVD set contains approximately three hours and 15 minutes of content.
According to Rolfe, the initial pressing of the DVD sold out in less than a week.[15] In addition, there were 100 DVDs sold with James Rolfe's autograph on the front cover.[16]
Around November 15, 2008, the second AVGN DVD set, which spans three discs,[17] was released. It includes the GameTrailers.com episodes[18] from the Atari 5200 review to An Angry Nerd Christmas Carol as well as a scene from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III review, the trailers posted on YouTube, commentaries,[19] outtakes (from the 2007 videos as well as some from 2008), and other material.[20]
On December 12, 2009, the third AVGN DVD set, which spans three discs, was released. It includes the GameTrailers.com episodes from Chronologically Confused about the Zelda Timeline to Bible Games 2; however, the review for The Wizard and Super Mario Bros. 3 has been reduced to cover only SMB3 to avoid copyright infringement. Three of the episodes have been extended. The DVD set also includes outtakes, a tour of the Nerd's room, and other material.[21]
Other media appearances
On August 8, 2007, Rolfe's character gained mainstream attention when his videos were featured on the nationally syndicated radio show Opie and Anthony. Opie & Anthony found his obscenity-laced tirades against poorly made video games quite humorous, and took notice of one of their own Whip 'em Out Wednesdays (WOW) promotional stickers being featured quite prominently in several of Rolfe's videos. Since then, additional videos have been played occasionally on the show. Rolfe was later interviewed by Opie and Anthony on January 9, 2008.[22] Rolfe would go on to host a show on Opie and Anthony's XM Satellite Radio (now Sirius/XM) channel for their "Saturday Night Virus" block of shows, but has done only one show so far and has not returned since.
The Angry Video Game Nerd was featured during an episode of Spike TV's Game Head during the week of November 25, 2007. The spot included clips of some of his previous reviews such as Die Hard. Rolfe continues to post movie reviews to his Spike page.[23]
James Rolfe will be acting in the upcoming Remake of Ed-Wood's "Plan 9". He will be playing the policeman, formerly played by Conrad Brooks. This will be his first big screen Movie Role.
Reception
The Angry Video Game Nerd was voted Best Online Web Series in Mashable's 3rd Annual Open Web Awards on December 16th, 2009.[24]
References
- ^ James Rolfe (2007). What Was I Thinking?: The Making of the Angry Video Game Nerd (DVD). ScrewAttack.
- ^ James Rolfe (August 8, 2007). "AVGN: Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout". GameTrailers. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- ^ James Rolfe (2008). CineMassacre 200 (YouTube). CineMassacre.
{{cite AV media}}: External link in|title= - ^ a b c d "Nerd FAQ". The CineMassacre Productions. no date. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Carlo Carrasco. "Do you play?". Sun.Star Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
- ^ James Rolfe. "James Rolfe resume". Cinemassacre. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
- ^ James Rolfe. "SPIDERMAN TRAILER - Angry Video Game Nerd". Cinemassacre. Retrieved May 20, 2008.
- ^ JamesNintendoNerd channel description
- ^ James Rolfe. "AVGN: Nightmare on Elm St commentary". GameTrailers. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
- ^ James Rolfe. "AVGN: A Christmas Carol Pt. 1". GameTrailers. Retrieved December 25, 2007.
- ^ James Rolfe. "AVGN: A Christmas Carol Pt. 2". GameTrailers. Retrieved December 25, 2007.
- ^ Kyle Justin. "Kyle Justin's AVGN Music Page". Retrieved 2009-03-24.
- ^ "The Wizard of Oz 3: Dorothy Goes to Hell" at Cinemassacre
- ^ James Rolfe (2008-10-13). "Godzillathon #20 - Godzilla Vs. MechaGodzilla (1993)". CineMassacre.com. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- ^ James Rolfe (November 25, 2007). "AVGN DVD SOLD OUT!". Cinemassacre. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
- ^ James Rolfe (March 12, 2008). "AVGN DVD Autograph". Cinemassacre, ScrewAttack. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- ^ James Rolfe (August 8, 2008). "Updates from me". Cinemassacre. Retrieved August 29, 2008.
- ^ "Angry Video Game Nerd DVD FAQ". The CineMassacre Productions. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
- ^ "Official AVGN Merchandise". ScrewAttack, Yahoo!. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
- ^ James Rolfe. "AVGN DVD - Volume 2". Cinemassacre, YouTube. Retrieved December 1, 2008.
- ^ "AVGN DVD Vol. 3". Cinemassacre. Dec. 12, 2009. Retrieved Dec. 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Opie and Anthony (November 2, 2008). "Angry Video Game Nerd Opie and Anthony Interview Pt 1". Opie and Anthony Radio Show. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ "CineMassacre". Spike TV. Retrieved 2010-2-13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Cashmore, Pete (2009-12-16). "Open Web Awards 2009: The Winners". Mashable. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
External links
- Official website
- Official Russian Translation The Angry Video Game Nerd
- The Angry Video Game Nerd's channel on YouTube
- Angry Video Game Nerd at IMDb
