<![CDATA[And you thought cartridges were expensive…]]>Reader, what do you think when you see these prices?

This is early 1992. This is before the SNES launched in the United States.

You want to talk about Godiva Chocolates? Those Origin games were crazy expensive. But they were worth it. You can see why gamers who had lived through that time freak out when GOG has the entire Ultima series on sale for like $14 and how you can get all of Wing Commander games for like $20.

I just got a new joystick so I took Wing Commander 1 out for a spin. GOG’s version works well on my system, I didn’t notice any issues. I would still be playing now but eventually I got hand cramps after playing four hours straight. Damn those Kilirathi! I missed the Secret Missions first time around. Wing Commander I had two mission packs and Wing Commander II had two mission packs of their own as well. The value of Wing Commander I and II (which includes those four mission packs) is absurd. It’s like six games in one.

God, I love the joystick. If the gamer has not played with joystick game with a joystick, the gamer has not lived. Mouse and keyboard is great for strategy games and FPS, but nothing comes close to gripping a meaty joystick and wrestling with it to make the computer do stuff. It is very tactile.

I cannot wait for Star Citizen, Chris Roberts upcoming Wing Commander/Privateer game. If Roberts does what he did in the past, he will put out the game and make multiple mission packs. Altogether, a ‘complete’ Star Citizen will likely cost $150+. And it will be worth it.

Meanwhile, I’m looking at all the GOG games that are best experienced with a joystick. Here is the list I’m coming up with…

Wing Commander 1 and 2
Wing Commander 3
Wing Commander 4
Privateer
Descent 1 and 2
Descent 3
Freespace 1
Freespace 2
Apache Vs. Havoc
Comanche Vs. Hokum
IL-2 Sturmovik
Aquanox 1
Aquanox 2
Independence War 1
Independence War 2
Super Hornet
Incoming
Red Baron Pack (I owned this one and remember loving it. Need to replay it immediately to see if it holds up!)

Long live the joystick! Indie game developers, there is a Blue Ocean for joystick games. Make something cool, and you will have it all alone.

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