Back on Topic...
(1) On Light Guns In the arcade, I enjoyed light gun games. However, for whatever reason (they are many), it never seemed to be nearly as fun at home. I had the "Enforcer" for Sega-CD and dabbled with later light guns for later consoles. I suppose the same can be said for the Dance Dance games...they have never been as fun at home as in the arcade. I still enjoyed light guns/dance mats at home, but definitely some "magic" had been lost (at least for me). I don't know if this is simply because of the wonderful industrial hardware in the arcade, the social aspect, or what. I will freely admit that I need to re-play the home conversions of light gun games, and I'd be happy to do it. I actually enjoy the genre.
(1.5) TANGENT: Hybrid Games. Discussion of light gun games got me to thinking of SNATCHER and BAYOU BILLY. I actually enjoy the quirkiness of games that blend genres. For example, I recently mentioned here that I ACTUALLY ENJOYED Bayou Billy's light gun sequences (quite challenging!). I also enjoyed the driving sequences in that game, too, and I think I'm a fan of hybrid games in general. Obviously, some hybrid games are broken, which is a shame, because it stigmatizes the entire concept. The deeper problem, of course, is that mixing genres increases the chances of turning off a player (since tastes and interests are so finicky and subjective).
(2) On Bonk Series. Bonk 1 and 2 are the best, no debate. I personally have a strong attachment to Bonk 1 because I really liked the atmosphere it created. Even though Bonk's Revenge refines a lot of things, it could not re-create that initial feeling of "Wow, I love this new universe I'm exploring!" from the first game. Very few sequels have managed to do this, so this certainly isn't a knock against Bonk 2, by any means.
Bonk 2 was an extension of the first game (stage design, character design) with a few little twists to keep things fresh. I had a lot of fun with Bonk 2, it was everything I wanted it to be.
Bonk 3, though, I have only played via emulation, and it (both HuCard and CD) simply did not capture and hold my interest like the first two games. Sure, it looked like the previous games...
I have to be honest: by the time I played the SNES games (late- 90's onward), I was pretty dismissive of them. However, in the interest of making a fair comparison, I'd have to go back and give them another chance. (I used to be as dismissive towards Vigilante, for example, and now I like the game more than I ever did, even in 1989). So, who knows? Maybe I'll even give Bonk III another chance, but I doubt my verdict will change.
(3) On the increasing importance of music. I have less free time as I age, so video game music has become increasingly important as a way for me to stay connected and involved in the hobby I cherish. Of course, I always was a slut for video game music, but now the ratio of listening:playing is heavily weighted to the "listening" side because I can listen to music whilst commuting, driving, biking, cleaning cat litter, etc. etc.
