Review: Regular Show “Gamers Never Say Die”

Do you remember back a couple weeks, when I said I love Regular Show for pulling plots out of the most ridiculous things from when we were growing up? Well, this week, one of the most obscure gaming references of all time took the spotlight in Regular Show, and let me tell you, it’s as fantastic as I was hoping.

When I say obscure, I mean you have to have a really deep knowledge of gaming history to know what “Gamers Never Say Die” is referencing. Here’s your history lesson. During the times of the Atari 2600, an incomplete series of games called Swordquest was released. The whole deal for this was that players were supposed to complete the game, while getting the clues in the booklet. If you were the fastest, you won the trinket that was associated with the game. Earthworld awarded “The Talisman of Penultimate Truth,” Fireworld awarded the “Chalice of Light.” Waterworld’s competition never happened, and Airworld’s game was never released.

How does that history lesson pertain to an episode of Regular Show? Well, this week, Mordecai got a system that strongly resembled the Atari 2600, and a game that strongly resembled Swordquest. Beating the game gave them a map. Unfortunately, games of that graphics quality sucked when it came to taking pictures. So, they make their way to find the golden badges. They make it through the mall, and make their way to the ruins of the old part of the mall. “Gamers Never Say Die” was a fantastic trip down memory lane, yet gives us a sarcastic look at how the lifestyle of the 80’s look now.

Now, let’s talk about Benson for a second. I am enjoying that the writers are trying to make him more of a prominent character. However, “Gamers Never Say Die” felt like a forced attempt to make Benson a big player in Regular Show. Some things can be forced, but this has to feel more organic. Benson in “Format Wars II” felt good, as did “Benson’s Suit.” “Gamers Never Say Die” just kind of ruined it, because that battery could have literally come from anywhere. Yet, the writers made it come from Benson’s car. If Benson just showed up at the van at the end, ready to tear Mordecai and Rigby a new asshole, I would have been happy. This didn’t do it.

On the whole, “Gamers Never Say Die” was a great episode. Most of the writing was spot on,  and triggered the normal reasons to love a Regular Show episode. The fresh take with the nostalgic vibes are what drive episodes of Regular Show, and on that, “Gamers Never Say Die” does not disappoint. If the writers got Benson’s involvement correct, this could very well have been perfect. Unfortunately, everything surrounding Benson felt like a bit of a detriment, but nowhere near enough to not enjoy the episode.