We’ve reached some extent the place the most effective handheld gaming consoles can really present superb experiences on the go however that wasn’t at all times the case.
Earlier than we had the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Swap , handheld gaming was dominated by the unique Sport Boy and its successors. Whereas Nintendo’s Sport Boy was the console to beat on the time — particularly since you may swap cartridges to play totally different video games — many people within the late 80s and 90s grew up taking part in handheld video games from Tiger Electronics.
Not like Nintendo’s moveable consoles, every gadget from Tiger Electronics performed one recreation and one recreation solely. There was no swapping cartridges or downloading new video games. As a substitute, you simply had to purchase one other handheld for those who needed to play a special recreation.
I’ve spent the previous week taking part in the trendy equal of one among Tiger Electronics’ handheld video games although the gadget I performed on isn’t formed like several handheld console I’ve ever performed. As a substitute, it’s formed like a Hen McNugget and may solely play one recreation: Tetris.
You may need heard the information that McDonald’s and The Tetris Firm had teamed as much as create a Hen McNugget-styled recreation console again in Might however I’ve truly had an opportunity to go hands-on with it. Listed below are my ideas on this one-of-a-kind handheld gaming console and why taking part in Tetris on anything won’t ever really feel the identical.
Celebrating a 40-year anniversary
What do Hen McNuggets from McDonald’s and Tetris have in frequent? I’ve been questioning the very same factor and I’m nonetheless not completely positive I’ve discovered the reply. You see, the Hen McNugget Tetris recreation console I’ve been taking part in is definitely from China and was delivered to me by a good friend who lately came over.
The web journal Retro Dodo was the primary to interrupt the story after translating a publish on the McDonald’s China web site . Whereas I and lots of others first thought that the promotion had one thing to do with the Tetris film being launched in China, that really isn’t the case.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
As a substitute, the Hen McNugget handheld recreation console was created to rejoice the fortieth anniversary of the Hen McNugget. That’s proper, the enduring McDonald’s menu merchandise was first launched in 1981 nevertheless it wasn’t till 1983 that they grew to become obtainable worldwide. Coincidently, the creator of Tetris, Alexey Pajitnov got here up with the concept for the sport a 12 months later, although the primary playable model of Tetris was accomplished in 1985. Nonetheless, each Hen McNuggets and Tetris come to thoughts in any dialogue about the most effective components of the late 80s.
After asking my good friend dwelling in China to choose one up for me, I’m now the proud proprietor of an outsized Hen McNugget that may play Tetris. Nevertheless, if I had recognized solely 400,000 of those Tetris-playing handheld gaming consoles could be made, I won’t have opened it however you then wouldn’t be studying this story.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
The console itself is precisely what you’d count on one would want to play Tetris on the go. There are 4 directional buttons to maneuver the tetriminos across the display, a big button on the precise to rotate them, a pause button, a mute button and an influence button. Nevertheless, because the console additionally has indentations much like those you’d discover on an actual Hen McNugget, it’s surprisingly straightforward to carry in your arms.
The Tetris expertise I didn’t know I wanted
In the event you haven’t watched the Tetris film but, you completely ought to because it clearly lays out what made the sport so interesting when it was launched and why it’s nonetheless one of the well-liked recreation franchises immediately. Even for those who don’t consider your self as a gamer, after watching another person play for just some minutes, you recognize precisely how the sport works. It’s additionally extremely rewarding to look at a line of blocks disappear after you’ve fastidiously positioned them to take up a complete row.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
After booting up the Hen McNugget console for the primary time, I used to be pleasantly shocked to listen to the enduring Tetris theme tune taking part in from the only speaker on the rear of the gadget because the phrase “Tetris” scrolls throughout the display adopted by a coronary heart. The McDonald’s emblem stays on the decrease proper facet of the display underneath your present degree and a picture depicting what kind of tetrimino is developing subsequent.
For people who grew up taking part in the unique Sport Boy which was recognized for not having a backlit display, you’re in for a well-recognized expertise right here. When taking part in Hen McNugget Tetris in mattress, I discovered I needed to have the lights turned on simply to see what was on the display. Nonetheless, I loved making an attempt to get to the subsequent degree in Tetris and the pause button made it straightforward to take a fast break each every now and then.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
One factor I significantly like concerning the Hen McNugget console is that it has detachable batteries on the again. Oftentimes with low cost little handheld gaming units like this one, producers use watch batteries however that isn’t the case right here as this console is powered by two triple-A batteries. I additionally like how there’s a separate on/off change on the rear to assist save battery life.
I’m Lovin’ It
In the event you’ve bought this far and are excited about choosing up your personal Hen McNugget console to play a little bit of Tetris in probably the most nostalgic method attainable, you’re going to have to show to eBay as McDonald’s in China is now not promoting them. Whereas paying $18 to $30 is perhaps a bit excessive for what you get, having the ability to play one of the iconic video games on such an odd kind issue could possibly be well worth the enchantment.
Though I might love for McDonald’s within the U.S. to observe within the footsteps of its Chinese language counterpart and launch an identical model of the Hen McNugget console, doing so may depart the quick meals big with one other Szechuan Sauce state of affairs on its arms.
I personally plan on treasuring my very own Hen McNugget console for so long as it lasts and whereas it’s actually moveable, will probably be staying at dwelling the place I can preserve an in depth eye on it. Particularly since my toddler is kind of keen on rooster nuggets and if he finds out I’ve one that may play video games (a single recreation on this case), I’ll seemingly by no means see it once more.