Throwback Thursday: Code Monkeys ‘E.T.’

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 Spoilers Below

It’s an 8-bit kinda throwback, Blabberbros!

When I was a kid, I remember getting my first Nintendo back in ’89. Little did I know that this game system would lead to a revolution in home entertainment and introvertedness which is still going on to this day (some people still haven’t come out of their parents basements to see the sun, and for that, we thank you.) Though I stopped playing when Megaman X 4 turned out to be the most impossible video game ever and I rage-quit video games all together, I can understand the appeal. Video games allow us to remain indoors where we can shoot things because we can’t shoot things in real life because we would all go to jail. They present the affable loser with the opportunity to not bother socializing because being social is hard but calling someone a N00B during a marathon session of Call of Duty is much easier than getting a girlfriend.

Now, I’m sure you’re asking, Paulie Von Doom, why all the video game and pasty skinned, possibly fat, loser hate? Well, it’s late and I have a deadline and I work two jobs on top of this one and I need someone to take it out on, and the pen is mightier than the sword. So Code Monkeys. What can I say about this show other than I actually was pleasantly surprised by the animation. It’s done in the style of an 8-bit video game which is extremely refreshing considering my love (love is a strong word, maybe my like-like) for the old games. It centers on a group of video game designers (hence the animation,) who get into all kinds of 8-bit hijinks. The cool thing is that whenever a character enters a scene, a life meter bar shows up on the top right of your TV screen. It changes every now and again so you have to be quick if you want to get the little jokes.

The episode I watched, and subsequently promised myself I’d watch again because I’m pretty sure I fell asleep the first time, was E.T. Basically the plot unfolds like this: Steven Spielberg needs the designers to make a game based on ET, that movie about the drunk alien with the flying bike and features a sober Drew Barrymore as a precocious kid who isn’t addicted to crack.

Anyhoot, the main characters, Dave and Jerry, have to create a video game to go along with the release of the movie. The game turns out awful because instead of seeing the movie, they go to a strip club.

Whomp Whomp.

Aside from the charming animation style, PVonD wasn’t a huge fan of this episode. I didn’t really care about Dave and Jerry. I was kinda hoping they’d get fired for doing such a shoddy job and pissing off Steven Spielberg, but then again, I wish someone would fire Steven Spielberg for Indiana Jones Part 4.

I suppose if you’re a video game person this is a good show for you so give it a watch and enjoy it.

3.5 out of 10.