TurboGrafx-16 and Hard Times w/ John Hancock

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ย. 2024
  • Go to sponsr.is/cs_r... and use code RETRO to save 25% off today. Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring today’s video
    I want to thank John Hancock for sharing this touching story with us. Please visit his channel and check out him out if you haven't! / @johnhancockretro
    SOCIAL LINKS:
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    Thanks for watching!

ความคิดเห็น • 663

  • @MyRetroLife
    @MyRetroLife  ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Go to sponsr.is/cs_retro_0823 and use code RETRO to save 25% off today. Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring today’s video

    • @fidelsolis6070
      @fidelsolis6070 ปีที่แล้ว

      This reminds me of me when it was so poor and only bought a Atari. Also remind s me how tough it is to be a parent. Kudos and blessings for my Sister luzbey who was always there for her first kid david. She would save up for his first console a Nintendo gamecube

  • @johnhancockretro
    @johnhancockretro ปีที่แล้ว +463

    Thanks for sharing my story. I rarely talk about this time in my life as this was after my parents divorced. While it was not my first game console, it will be one that I cherish deeply.

    • @MyRetroLife
      @MyRetroLife  ปีที่แล้ว +55

      Thank YOU for opening up to all of us about it. Appreciate you man for your friendship and all that you do for the retro community.

    • @JusticePyro
      @JusticePyro ปีที่แล้ว +4

    • @MattiusFincham
      @MattiusFincham ปีที่แล้ว +7

      John, keep on keepin' on, brother!

    • @MartinBarreby
      @MartinBarreby ปีที่แล้ว +4

    • @solutionxero
      @solutionxero ปีที่แล้ว +9

      hey man you're awesome! ive been following you for years! keep on doing what you're doing!

  • @bczarrockbeast6264
    @bczarrockbeast6264 ปีที่แล้ว +290

    My parents got divorced when i was 6 i lived with my dad in a one bedroom apartment. We had nothing but beds a couch a card table an a NES. Every pay day my dad would take me to rent a game i could still probably list every game we played together. At the time i had no idea how much we were struggling and how it affected my dad. In my child brain me and dad were having a blast together constantly. Not until i was older did i realize how much my dad thought he was failing me. Even still today he apologizes from time to time. Being present and there for your kids will trump buying them the newest thing every time.

    • @MyRetroLife
      @MyRetroLife  ปีที่แล้ว +53

      Presence over Presents.
      Thanks for sharing man.

    • @drunkensailor112
      @drunkensailor112 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Dude that story shows what a great dad you had. Makes me cry

    • @TheMalitz17
      @TheMalitz17 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Wow. Heavy stuff a lot of us can relate to. All the best man thanks for sharing.

    • @bczarrockbeast6264
      @bczarrockbeast6264 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@drunkensailor112 yes he is an amazing man and I am very grateful for him everyday. He gave me the tools I need to be an awesome dad myself even when the going gets tough.

    • @bczarrockbeast6264
      @bczarrockbeast6264 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@kyleAGB lol we also had a TV I figured It was implied.

  • @GD-eh3mj
    @GD-eh3mj ปีที่แล้ว +67

    Your channel has helped me realize how emotionally damaged we all are and how wrestling and video games became a way to bond with our fathers in the wake of their absence

  • @adamdavis2760
    @adamdavis2760 ปีที่แล้ว +83

    This brought up a lot of emotion regarding my own childhood. I grew up dirt poor having no indoor plumbing, having to fill water jugs at my grandmother's eight at a time and taking a bath by heating hot water on the wood stove. Me and my brother and sister never really had consoles and had to live vicariously through kids at school. A lot of my childhood memories consisted of staying warm and making sure we had enough to eat. At the same time I didn't know any better because that's just the way things were. The most typical way I played the newest video games was at the bowling alley when I could scrounge up quarters. This all changed when my dad finally got us moved into town into a regular house with running water and things of that nature. He had a couple of good years at work and in 1992 out of the blue he came home from the pawn shop with a black-and-white TV and a NES and gave it to us kids to set up in our room. This blew my mind as I've never had a video game system, let alone my own TV. For a kid of 11 years old this was amazing. Ninja Gaiden was the game that the system came with as well as Mario and Duck Hunt. As messed up as it is I finally felt semi-normal. I mean yeah we were fine growing up but we couldn't really associate with other kids stories regarding their consoles and what everybody else was doing... I remember being really happy and excited and feeling normal. I think my dad felt guilty, as time went on he would do his best to get a console here and there through his wheeling and dealing or at the pawn shop. Yeah they might have been a few years late but he got us our first Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo as well a few years later. Thanks for sharing this story as it opened the door to my own.... thank you

    • @DarcyTheManstop
      @DarcyTheManstop ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Beautiful story

    • @NintenDub
      @NintenDub ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It goes to show what's neccesary, and what is excess. A small portion of the world live in excess and are spoiled brats which leads to why things are the way they are,why people behave the way they do. Living to survive,is the grind of most of humanity. We all should be forced to live a certain way for a brief moment in time

    • @TheMalitz17
      @TheMalitz17 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      ​@@NintenDubI think this is sort of a grim take on life. You'll learn that for every "spoiled brat" you speak of, there are a multitude of extremely hard working, talented people that gave everything, every day, in order to enjoy those niceties. Just like everyone else. Some are more talented than others, fine. Some play soccer better than others, fine. That doesn't make them spoiled brats.
      No, in fact, no one should be forced to live any sort of way. That's the beauty of this country.
      This man grew up in a trailer park, now he wears a hat with his name on it and has a cult following.
      So, you're wrong. Follow your dreams. Work hard. And hopefully live in the US.

    • @NintenDub
      @NintenDub ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@TheMalitz17 I do live in the US. Nonody should be forced no. But anyone who is shown what it's like to have nothing,usually have more gratitude,work harder and are more emotionally stable. That's all I was getting at, that if everyone wasn't so spoiled, the world would be a better place,full of.ppl who are more grateful to work and be alive etc etc there's too many ppl given everything, and you can see em from a mile away

    • @zachary_attackery
      @zachary_attackery ปีที่แล้ว +1

      No running water? That's nothing! John Hancock had to get a TurboGrafx instead of a SNES! That's REAL hard times!

  • @rufioquin2406
    @rufioquin2406 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    Thanks for sharing this. I follow you both, and damn it I was not planning on crying this morning. I was raised by a single mom, and even though we didn’t struggle, we were by no means rich and my mom bought me stuff she really didn’t have to or perhaps sometimes need to. I switched schools in 8th grade and was picked on for three years or so but video games were my escape, and I consider my childhood wonderful, all thanks to my mom who could have easily fell apart after my dad walked out when I was 6. John is so right, they’re so much more than just “games.” They’re an escape and something that creates irreplaceable memories that only mean more as you get older.
    My mom passed away on November 10, 2021.
    Rest in peace mom, love you ♥️

    • @fidelsolis6070
      @fidelsolis6070 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I am sorry for your loss. Your mom was a great Person. It is true when I said it's a escape for being bullying or Struggling 😭 n Life.I know that feeling. Godbless you and your family

  • @treedeblue
    @treedeblue ปีที่แล้ว +42

    I can totally understand John’s emotions. My single parent mother worked really hard to provide me and my brother with a NES for Christmas, this made me tear up.

    • @temperedglass1130
      @temperedglass1130 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      And yet you will put her in an old folks home when the time comes. You care so much.

    • @treedeblue
      @treedeblue ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@temperedglass1130 no I will not, but you’re right a large majority do. It’s part of the American culture.

    • @doggpound9319
      @doggpound9319 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@temperedglass1130wtf? Why would you assume that? You weirdo.

    • @SpeccyHorace
      @SpeccyHorace 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@temperedglass1130Do you know him or something?

    • @treedeblue
      @treedeblue 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@SpeccyHorace nope, I don’t know this person.

  • @sneakerssnake2787
    @sneakerssnake2787 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Never met John but I can clearly see how much of a sweet person he is… from the heart, well done sir!

  • @AaronVillalobos
    @AaronVillalobos ปีที่แล้ว +68

    Man... what a story. This made me really appreciate when my mom got me the N64 back in christmas of 99 when looking back at it, she didnt have much money either. Super thankful for what my parents provided me as a child.

    • @ELZ00M
      @ELZ00M ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I remember my mom and I busy calling places to get one when the popularity was at its peak. She ended finding one for me, what a time, haw? :)

  • @chriswaters834
    @chriswaters834 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    This made me tear up and served as a reminder of everything my mom has done for me in my life and I’m so fortunate. John seems like a great guy and I love his channel as well. Thanks for capturing this and sharing.

  • @evoltnvii
    @evoltnvii ปีที่แล้ว +17

    I grew up much the same way as John and my dad did everything he could to make my life as good as possible working 2 or 3 jobs sometimes.

  • @JRPGLife
    @JRPGLife ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is extremely wholesome and genuine. Thank you, Tyler and John, for sharing this story 😢

  • @RetroGamingNook
    @RetroGamingNook ปีที่แล้ว +8

    John is such a good man. Big heart.

  • @apr2499
    @apr2499 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I was very poor when I was young so I can relate! John is such a great guy! My respect for him grows by the day!

  • @PlusUltraAdrian
    @PlusUltraAdrian ปีที่แล้ว +47

    God bless John Hancock and his mom. That was a very touching story. I'm going to sub to his channel right now.

    • @MyRetroLife
      @MyRetroLife  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Great channel and even greater man

  • @studiotime6671
    @studiotime6671 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I met John in Portland at PRGE last year. He was wrapping up and about to leave his post for the day. I was super nervous and on the brink of an anxiety attack at the thought of meeting him in person. I almost gave up but at the last minute forced myself to go see him. He was incredibly down to earth and such a friendly person. He made me feel calm. I'm glad I took the chance. Thanks John.

  • @the_sane_and_logical_hooligan
    @the_sane_and_logical_hooligan ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Im about John’s age. My dad got me into video games in 1987 when I was 6. Our game was Kid Icarus on the nes. Even at a young age I mastered that game because we didn’t have a lot of money and it’s literally all I played over and over and over. We loved it. 25 years later, In early 2012, with a wife and kid of my own now, I called my dad who lived a few states away and told him “hey dad remember that Kid Icarus game we used to play back in the day? They’re making another one. Finally!” He was laughing remembering those times. We reminisced. He talked to my kid on FaceTime about those times. I bought KI Uprising on launch day for the 3ds. I preordered it. First game I preordered in many years. I started it up and played the first level. The original music kicked in. Upgraded but nostalgic at the same time. Not even 10 minutes into the game I got a call that my dad had just passed away. It gutted me. It took me months to play the game again but I vowed to finish it in his honor. To this day I still have it on the shelf alongside the amiibo and a picture of my dad with a handwritten note (from a box of old vhs tapes he sent me) that read “Good memories!”

  • @ItsBriezzy
    @ItsBriezzy ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Damn Tyler, making me weep and ball my eyes out with almost every video. It is almost like a therapy session with each one, keep on doing what your doing, much love

  • @tbonemaloneknowsitall
    @tbonemaloneknowsitall ปีที่แล้ว +7

    What a beautiful story and beautiful moment with the immortal John Hancock.

  • @josean6287
    @josean6287 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    As the only son of a single mother, I can relate with how John felt... They go the extra mile to make us happy and now as an adult, we value that so much more

  • @cpl.barbarusc4814
    @cpl.barbarusc4814 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I never expected to see John this emotional for a story like this, his mother did a big and awesome thing to keep John happy in the hardest time of their lives. Thank you for sharing this story, It reminded me the time when my cousins donated me their Nintendo 64, was the same year my grandma and my dog passed away, It was a dark year, just when I was transitioning from the elementary to secondary school. It was almost 14 years algo, but I still remember how It felt, and how the N64 in a way was my way to Let the pain away of these unexpected departures didn't put me down. And then there is my Xbox 360, where I keep the avatar of a friend , from which I unfortunately just broke up this year, I created her avatar on the Halloween season from 2018, and I have kept it eversince she came to my House with a friend to play a while after leaving from a Halloween party. In a way I learned that videogames are the memory lane for many gamers. Thanks for the video and thank you for supporting John like this.

  • @bradleymcavoy3432
    @bradleymcavoy3432 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Something doesn’t add up here, How could John be like 9 or 10 in 93 getting a TurboGrafx-16 from his mother when he was a Teenager getting a Sega Genesis in 89/90 with his “Own Money” he earned! 🙄

  • @The_Fat_Fury
    @The_Fat_Fury ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I can definitely relate to this. I grew up low-low middle class in a trailer park and my mom worked so hard. May not have been able to get the hottest new console but eventually my mom would find a way. I believe it was christmas 1995 when I finally got a super nintendo and I was so happy. I'll always be thankful for everything she did for me.

  • @aepsira9220
    @aepsira9220 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nothing is more heart warming than a person telling a story from their heart that reaches back in their mind and life experience in a way that pulls you in for a brief moment and places you in their shoes. As a person who grew up with little to nothing with a single mother who tried as hard as she could in the years that followed my father's sudden death... I unfortunately understand too well that the smallest gestures of love in the darkest times are what's remembered forever.

  • @adamessmyer4428
    @adamessmyer4428 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    While not as dire as John's story, this reminds me of when I was 13 in 2002. My dad had left his job a year earlier (on 9/11, 2001 oddly enough) and he was working odd jobs for over a year, and my mom worked full time as a manager at Walmart. My brother and I didn't expect an amazing Christmas that year since we were basically on one income as my dad was still trying to find work. Christmas morning comes and somehow we got a PS2 and a copy of Kingdom Hearts. I was so elated, I don't know how my parents pulled that off. But it gave me a deeper appreciation for what they might have sacrificed to make us kids happy, and I'll always remember that.

    • @MyRetroLife
      @MyRetroLife  ปีที่แล้ว

      Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing

  • @sbranham314
    @sbranham314 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love you John. It takes a real man to show his emotions and how passionate they are. He may have had a hard time growing up but I think hes doing great with his kids now.

  • @Dawless1
    @Dawless1 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've been a huge John Hancock fan for many years now. Watch him build his room behind the house and fill it with wonders that he would share with us. You can feel the love John has for the preservation of this time in our lives as a whole. I thank the both of you for releasing this video.

  • @vincentdominguez765
    @vincentdominguez765 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    So touching. I can definitely understand and relate. One year for Christmas, while the NES was out that's all we could wish for,my parents couldn't afford much with 3 kids etc, we received the atari 7800 ,while it wasn't the NES it still holds dear to me and my heart. Thank you for sharing the video.

  • @ModePhaser
    @ModePhaser ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very heartfelt and wholesome story. Just one of the many reasons I love this Channel. John's mom was a true hero. A little can go a long way when your heart is in it. ❤

  • @ELZ00M
    @ELZ00M ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awww John’s story is very heart wrenching. What a great person to have shared the love he has for his mother and recognizing and seeing her love and what she did was all he wanted the most. I can tell he probably felt like she didn’t even have to get him a single thing and he would have been just as content. Amazing. I have so many moments I need to be thankful for to mom and dad. I love them so much.

  • @aeipee13
    @aeipee13 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What an amazing story! My game was Mother 3 on GBA. My son has autism and wouldn't sleep at night as a young child. Mother 3 got me through a rough time in my life, keeping me company through what felt like endless nights waiting for my son to stop stemming and go to sleep. John's tears reminded me of how important video games are to so many people out there. Everyone has a different reason to love videogames but shares the same emotional attachment.

  • @pokekiller787x
    @pokekiller787x ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is true love for gaming right here. You don't need the flashiest new thing or the most expensive console for it to capture your heart and for it to be special to you. As someone who had horrible experiences with my father and my mother being the one trying her best to make me happy with what we had, I truly appreciate this story.

  • @joshmiller887
    @joshmiller887 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My heart goes out to John and his Mom. You can tell life gave this man a ton of perspective and he realizes now, the challenges his mom faced. Thanks for sharing!

  • @spazandies
    @spazandies ปีที่แล้ว

    After hearing John's story, I went to my mum, gave her a hug and reminisced about the times she got my Sinclair ZX Spectrum and more over my Sega MegaDrive during difficult times. The video literally hit home. Thank you John and thank you Tyler for all you have done and do.

  • @Spartan77
    @Spartan77 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That is an amazing story. God bless Mr. Hancock's Mom, she is more awesome than she will ever realize or perhaps even admit.

  • @paranormalskeptic3893
    @paranormalskeptic3893 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’ve been a fan of John’s channel for quite some time. I didn’t know his back story. Thanks for sharing that. Makes me an even bigger fan of his.
    We all have stories like that, whether it’s video games or other things. Mine has to do with roller hockey. I had just gotten into hockey when I was 14 back in the mid 1970s, and my friends all had roller skates and played roller hockey, they wanted me to join in.
    But my family was struggling financially and couldn’t afford the skates. I remember sitting on the porch, feeling sad about it. I accepted it, I knew the situation.
    And that day, it I’ll never forget it, she came to me on the porch, and said, “let’s go get you those skates”. I’ll never forget that moment. It’s an unbelievable moment of generosity. Who knows what she had to give up to get it done. I wore those skates out playing tons of roller hockey.
    My mom was an amazing fan of my video game enjoyment as well. She was getting me video games for birthdays and Christmases pretty much up to her last days. I miss her very much. She was such a wonderful person who would do anything for her kids and grandson.

  • @lordlycanthrope7059
    @lordlycanthrope7059 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    He always seems so happy and excited. Wish I could've given that dude a hug! We love ya, John!

  • @nickparsons337
    @nickparsons337 ปีที่แล้ว

    I watch John's channel all the time and I love it. To see John outside of his usual cheery self really moved me. My mom worked her ass off to get me an NES on layaway from Walmart because so many kids that I went to school with already had one; and she did the same thing for me when all the other kids were getting the Super Nintendo. A good mom is the best thing anyone can be lucky enough to have.

  • @adamgockowski5951
    @adamgockowski5951 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I've been a fan of both channels for a while and I'm happy to see the community strengthen with beautiful memories

  • @JohnSmith-zl8rz
    @JohnSmith-zl8rz หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I have a lot of respect for John, he's a real true gamer, he even don't fall on grading shit and things like that.

  • @1nfamousme210
    @1nfamousme210 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This brought me to tears! How personal something is to someone that most people don’t give a second thought, such as a game console.

  • @BlakeBickerstaff
    @BlakeBickerstaff ปีที่แล้ว

    Some of my best memories growing up involved playing, renting, & buying video games. That's why I'm such a huge fan today. It was always a refuge for me as well. Thanks for sharing, both of you!

  • @totallygrim1
    @totallygrim1 ปีที่แล้ว

    John Hancock is a national treasure and so are all the parents who worked their fingers to the bone just to try and make their kids feel special now and again. I understand. I didn’t know how long consoles were out before we got them, or how expensive for the time they were til much later. Didn’t matter. It was amazing every time, whatever it was. Feeling so good you couldn’t possibly be happier in those moments.

  • @Roxxxxxxxbottttter
    @Roxxxxxxxbottttter ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I have a similar story to John's. We were a poor family and my mom was always worried about the gift she was getting me not being good enough. But she always gave me such thoughtful gifts!

  • @JasonJR823
    @JasonJR823 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This video and seeing John's appreciation and love for his mom is everything. Thank you both for sharing this.❤

  • @RetroRaeTv
    @RetroRaeTv ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm not crying you're crying! 😭John is so awesome. 💛

  • @BulldozerBilly
    @BulldozerBilly ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Your channel makes me feel like if I ever have a son or a daughter, whether it be through video games or something else, I would love to have that friendship with my kid.
    The relationship you and your Dad had or the one you have with your daughter are inspiring!
    Love the vibes of your channel and it was cool seeing John on the show!

  • @mikeing36
    @mikeing36 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    TG-16 was a huge part of my childhood too. Loved that thing. And his mom was a great woman for doing what she did. ❤

  • @gamerbents215
    @gamerbents215 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I envy John having a parent that cared. I grew up in an abusive home that both parents used and abused me. It sounds to me he had an amazing childhood and it hurts me but makes me happy to see for him

  • @YokiBrewster
    @YokiBrewster ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for the tears this morning😢😊 I love the immortal because he is always warm and welcoming!

  • @dvdknight1
    @dvdknight1 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you My Retro Life. This was heart warming and such an amazing story John shared with you.

  • @zacharygirgenti3790
    @zacharygirgenti3790 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for sharing this video. It makes me realize how special gifts can be and that I have a wonderful family. Especially my mother, who always provided for me.

  • @gabbothegiver
    @gabbothegiver ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video, this is why this is my Favorite channel and my humble opinion the best and more honest channel in youtube.
    Thanks for sharing this, much love for you and John

  • @microJUBEI
    @microJUBEI ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Amazing story.
    Probably the most moving video game story I've heard ❤🎮

  • @angryretrogamer7313
    @angryretrogamer7313 ปีที่แล้ว

    The smallest things can change our lives forever. I enjoyed John's story about his turbo Grafx 16. I didn't have that kind of relationship with my parents but i had an older brother that showed me my first video game. Now that my brother is gone i would give anything to have some of those memories on a video tape to watch and relive like your dad made with you. Thanks for the video and the channel.

  • @Owazrim
    @Owazrim ปีที่แล้ว +6

    It's a touching story and thanks to you both for sharing it.
    It was great to be able to stop and chat with you guys at SEGE.

    • @MyRetroLife
      @MyRetroLife  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for hanging out with us!

  • @chrisfonz4616
    @chrisfonz4616 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This video hit me like Mike Tyson in his prime … reminded me of growing up poor. Watching my cousin every Christmas getting so much while I got so little but when I got my Super Nintendo I finally felt like I made it……

  • @Canadian_Gamer
    @Canadian_Gamer ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Poverty and John Hancock are three words that don’t go good together. This guy has amassed a million dollar collection via humble donations.

  • @Coin_Tengoku
    @Coin_Tengoku ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very pleased that John shared this with the community. What an impactful story.

  • @aaldrich1982
    @aaldrich1982 ปีที่แล้ว

    my parents were divorced when i was very small. when my brother was about 11 (1991) and i was 9, my dad bought my brother his first PC and got me an NES with Mario/Duck Hunt and Batman. it was the start of a lot of good times spent gaming with my brother, we didn't have too many games on the NES but certainly quite a lot on the SNES. we also weren't exactly well off but that just made us appreciate every game we got even more.
    i really think a lot more of john after this video. it takes a lot to be that open about these kinds of memories. i know my mum did her best and i love her very much. she didn't really love the games but i know she would have given me every single game if she could. and i think you and john both point out similar things - he didn't care as a kid if the console was on clearance and you were just as excited for your dad getting piles of games that were for consoles no longer for sale. your love of gaming and your parents' love of gaming was what mattered the most.

  • @rancid_
    @rancid_ 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What an amazing episode. It is so easy to overlook that TH-cam influencers are real people with their own stories, we only look at them for what they are today. That is why I love your channel Tyler, it brings back the human aspect of our past. There is truly nothing else like your channel, wish you all the best for the future!

  • @jmatt781
    @jmatt781 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It's funny, one of my favorite childhood memories with my Dad is playing through Double Dragon II on the NES with him back in the day. We had so much fun! 😊

  • @skRapKlan
    @skRapKlan ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for sharing..! Memories like this is really important!

  • @WoodenLegStudios
    @WoodenLegStudios ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Love the video and story! Glad my jacket and I could make it in the edit. What’s interesting is that that’s similar how I got my turbografx also, on clearance at Toysrus. Never had the opportunity to buy another game, so I only experienced Keith Courage and loved it. Years later I decided to collect the full set CIB to see all the great games that I missed out on. Love this community

  • @thrall343
    @thrall343 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My parents neglected me, just kinda ignored me and I felt alone, my grandpa got me all the older consoles I own and they were my escape from my life. And to this day it's an escape from all the crap we all deal with

  • @Riz2336
    @Riz2336 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    John’s a good dude, he always came off as a humble nice guy

  • @voxtek
    @voxtek ปีที่แล้ว

    Games are our escape, for me having lost my brother, I understood that at a young age. And watching and learning from him growing up, it was his escape from his physical limitations. He couldnt walk, never had the chance to drive a car or play sports. Games allowed him to do anything and everything he always wanted to do. Hes been gone for 14, years and there are so many things I wish he could be here to experience and sometimes, yea its a new game. So to John, Tyler, every single one of you out there that has lost someone that has memories of games that link you to them. Know that you arent alone, and keep on gaming, keep your memories alive.

  • @demonsty
    @demonsty ปีที่แล้ว +4

    ty man this was a great episode. i was a tg16 kid too and it was the last console i got from my parents before my mom died. she loved the tg16 and legendary axe 2 was her favorite game!

  • @exhumus
    @exhumus ปีที่แล้ว

    Through to 1992 we had an Atari 2600, a Commodore VIC 20 and a Tandy TRS 80 CoCo 2 while all our friends graduated through their Nintendos and Master Systems, Super Nintendos and Mega Drives, Amigas and 386 and 486 PCs. When my Dad got a new job and they took us into a store to pick out a 486SX 33MHz PC of our own at Christmas of 1993 or 1994 I remember the surprise and excitement of finally being able to play the games our friends were playing. This story resonates hard. Thank you both for sharing.

  • @user-cr4vc5oh1u
    @user-cr4vc5oh1u ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This hit me hard. I went through the same thing in ‘94 with the 3DO. My parents couldn’t afford it but my mum payed £20 a week for it, and unfortunately before it was payed off it was discontinued.

  • @j.rivera6402
    @j.rivera6402 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I wanna give him a hug too. My dad passed away at 40. My mom was 38 with three teenagers and she just ran the football down the road. She got me my N64 and worked overtime to make sure I got it. Mom’s are amazing. I miss her soooo much.

  • @PrimeDidact
    @PrimeDidact ปีที่แล้ว

    My family too was poor. The NES was big, but my parents bought me a 2600 and a bunch of games for Xmas. They were really worried that I wouldn’t be happy with it. Even at that young age i saw that system and exploded! I just remember unwrapping it all, snatching it all up and running upstairs to my room yelling “thanks mom! Thanks mom!” Over and over again.
    This was when they had dropped the price down to $50 and the games were all being clearanced out because NES had taken over.
    Yet another great video, man. Shout out to John Hancock for being another fantastic content creator, gamer, and most importantly human being.

  • @wes8382
    @wes8382 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    John's story and emotion hit me right in the feels. My eyes are watering....it's just allergies ok! Yes, it is an important story to share.

  • @Tolbat
    @Tolbat ปีที่แล้ว

    As a child we had a 10-inch black and white TV and an Atari 2600 when others had cable, color, and nintendo, but I treasured it. Thank you, John, for sharing, this brought back so many memories for me. What an awesome story, and he felt joy and I am sure when his mom saw how excited he was over that system her heart was filled with joy.

  • @Squiggles95
    @Squiggles95 ปีที่แล้ว

    Parents are under appreciated. Both of my parents always made sure to get what they could for me that I wanted. I lost my dad almost 2 months ago, and so many memories have been flooding back to me. One was how bad I wanted a Wii back when they were new. They were sold out for like a year here. I got games for the Wii for Christmas before the system because of how hard it was to find one. But my dad made sure to try and one day he camped outside a GameStop and got me my Wii finally. Surprised me when he came to pick me up for the weekend. I’ll never forget that. February 8th, 2008. I’m lucky to still have the console and I’ll never sell it.

  • @jiface
    @jiface ปีที่แล้ว

    Always throught John H seemed like a lovely and genuine person. What a sweetheart

  • @Retrobash80
    @Retrobash80 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you John Hancock for being vulnerable and sharing this story. I think a lot of us in the gaming community are trying to fill a big hole in our life and nostalgic games are there for us.
    I went through rough times as a kid we lost everything and loved cross country with just us in a car. I really hold onto my memories and childhood games. Like John I got a turbografx 16 because it was all I could afford at a church sale. it was the only home system I had until 1999 when I finally got a SNES. I was proud of it and would show off the HUGE sprites in games like China Warrior and brag about Blazing Lazers.
    Thank you Tyler and John for this beautiful memory.

  • @speedyink
    @speedyink ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Dammit, got me in the feels. Just wanted to give John a big hug.
    We also had a poor few years growing up, especially after my parents divorced when I was about 4. Even though we had nothing my Mom did her best to not make us feel any less special then other kids. It's amazing what she was able to do, hearing about the things she had to do to keep us clothed and to feed us. I hope baggy clothes were actually a thing back then and it wasn't just cause we never had new clothes in the right size

  • @HashiriyaZ
    @HashiriyaZ ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was a very touching episode. Love all the MyRetroLife videos! Glad John shared this with the gaming community.

  • @sonicsju
    @sonicsju ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for sharing this touching story Tyler, and thank you John for that personal moment, we are all humble and even when we come from different upbringings & opportunities we cherish those gifted moments that our parents gave us through video games. It’s a heartwarming reminder that we should be grateful for their sacrifices & their love for us.
    Thank you again! ❤

  • @coryrabbit
    @coryrabbit ปีที่แล้ว

    John is such a good dude. I love his channel. It reminds me of when I was a kid, and when I was in first grade in 95. My mom got my brother and me a Genesis super cheap. We didn't even know the Saturn or Playstation existed. We didn't care. We absolutely loved it. I played that thing until it broke in 1999, and I still love the Genesis to this day.

  • @leonardwashington2422
    @leonardwashington2422 ปีที่แล้ว

    Alllllll your videos Tyler touch my heart. Our childhoods mirrored each other . I was born in 83. John's story has me choked up man. I didn't experience what he did. My childhood was more like urs Tyler. But John's story really hit me in my feelings..

  • @sndwav2049
    @sndwav2049 ปีที่แล้ว

    That's a beautiful story. 😢 John's a good guy. My mom didn't realize that i had maintained my Sega Genesis since i got it new in 1990. About 15 years ago, i showed it to her and how i had built the collection over the years. She was astonished. We didn't have a ton of money growing up either, so i learned to take good care of everything i got.

  • @supersmallchibiwolf872
    @supersmallchibiwolf872 8 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    John is one of the coolest classic TH-cam gamers and hearing his story shows how much heart he has and I like that he shared with us. Rather It's a happy story or sad story My Retro Life always has heartful videos. Cool video. ^_^

  • @arcade1upuk767
    @arcade1upuk767 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is the 2nd video on your channel that's touched me and made me nearly burst into tears bro amazing content Al from the uk. Ps your dad rocks rip to him he would be proud of you for carrying on his passion in these now retro games bro keep up the good work

  • @KurodaKyousuke
    @KurodaKyousuke ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Had the pleasure of meeting John at a convention a few years ago and I can honestly say he's as down to earth in person as he is in this video. Haha I guess that TurboFafx-16 opened the flood gates.

  • @DaBigCheeso
    @DaBigCheeso 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Man, John's got me all teared up during work now. You guys were both awesome to chat with at SEGE. I know it's a trip but hope you can make it again next year too.

  • @arcadeages3917
    @arcadeages3917 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is so great! Now I know why John Hancock is so determined to open up a retro game museume. So that he can share this joy with the world!

  • @otter1382
    @otter1382 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love hearing stories like these. No matter the case, I feel gaming is a community that brings out the best in people. My love for gaming came from playing ZORK with my dad. It continues on, my brother and I still collect and it brings me and my Son closer together as well. It is so much more then just games.

  • @_BELMONT_
    @_BELMONT_ ปีที่แล้ว +13

    thanks for sharing his story and good on him for finding the courage to talk about it

  • @onedrrgames
    @onedrrgames 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Beautiful story and message. Sometimes it's the simple things that are the most memorable.

  • @alexhydell3608
    @alexhydell3608 ปีที่แล้ว

    John Hancock and John Riggs both always brighten my day and make it better with their unending positive vibes and my world is a better place because of their outlook. But i do know sometimes that type of positivity can come with its own history

  • @Steve_UK77
    @Steve_UK77 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I thought it was impossible to love John Hancock any more. I was wrong. Great video.

  • @atibamorales9380
    @atibamorales9380 ปีที่แล้ว

    This story is really touching and shows how videogames are not just "videogames" but can be and mean so much more, because of how they connect to many important moments in our lives. Your channel as a whole manages to do that.
    And while on the topic, the TurboGrafx-16 it was actually my favorite system of the 16 bit era during it's prime in 91-92. I was really pushing for it's success and when it got Street Fighter II Champion Edition I thought that would give it an edge. But it only got a release in Japan. And John is lucky to have gotten it in a clearance in 91-92. As it was still being supported and covered in game magazines. It was discontinued in 94 in North America, so he actually got a good deal and the system was still current.

  • @USNavyVet_STG
    @USNavyVet_STG ปีที่แล้ว

    Its Stories Like This Why I Still Have My Original NES From About 37 Years Ago. We Didn't Have Much Either, But That Little System Gave Me Some Great Memories. Thank You. And Yes, I've Subscribed To Both Of Your Channels.

  • @NESADDICT
    @NESADDICT ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Loved seeing all you guys there!

  • @InfinityNerdStore
    @InfinityNerdStore ปีที่แล้ว

    Great story and so glad you shared. I’m subscribed to the both of you. I love the sharing you both do. It takes me back to my own childhood. My parents always did what they could for me and my brother. I was gifted an Atari 2600 when Nintendo was the big thing and I still remember having fun with it on a 4” tv screen. Nintendo would come later when my parents were able to afford it and that would lead me and my brother more into video gaming. You and John are so great for sharing! John had me tearing up, but I’m glad he wanted to tell this story.

  • @carl0sthegamer
    @carl0sthegamer ปีที่แล้ว

    I was never allowed out to play as a kid and my family never had a lot of money. My dad who I only got to see on every other weekend bought me a NES which I absolutely cherished. Gaming also got me through some tough times, even through a bad break up. I'm still a hardcore gamer to this day and will never stop doing what I love most. Thank you for sharing your heart warming story 🥲

  • @aldoushuxleysghost
    @aldoushuxleysghost ปีที่แล้ว

    I got my TurboGrafx Turbo Duo sometime in 1993. I already had a job by then, so I bought one for myself. I remember playing Ys III on SNES. It was so enjoyable to me, I wanted to track down the other two. I knew it was a system already being cleared out, so what I did was ordered the sofware at a deep discounts through a mail in order service called Turbo Zone Direct. Did you ever hear of that?? I bought so many titles for a mere pittance compared to what they're worth today. Thanks for the TG-16 nostalgia trip.
    And thank you for introducing me to John's channel. I feel like I'm really going to love that journey

  • @RyanVentura604
    @RyanVentura604 ปีที่แล้ว

    I grew up in a single parent household too and I know my mom had to work that much harder to take care of my younger brother and I by herself. One memory that really stands out to me was when I was walking through the mall and Street Fighter II Special Champion Edition for the Sega Genesis came out. We went to the store to get that game, right beside it was Fatal Fury for Sega Genesis, and I wanted them both.
    When you're 7 years old you don't really understand the value of money, time, and hard work. Especially being a single parent. She got them both for me, Street Fighter was my birthday present, and Fatal Fury was my early Christmas gift. She even managed to buy my brother and I Power Rangers action figures for Christmas that year.
    Knowing now, as a 35 year old man how hard it is to get things that you want versus what you need. I'm very grateful for her doing that for me and to this day I'm still a massive Street Fighter fan.