The Angry Video Game Nerd

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The Angry Video Game Nerd
Angry Video Game Nerd
The Angry Video Game Nerd logo.
Also known as Angry Nintendo Nerd
AVGN
Genre Physical comedy, reviewer
Created by James D. Rolfe
Developed by Cinemassacre Productions
Directed by James D. Rolfe
Presented by ScrewAttack
Starring James D. Rolfe
Mike Matei
Kyle Justin
Opening theme "Angry Video Game Nerd Theme"
Composer(s) James D. Rolfe (lyrics), Kyle Justin (music)
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 84 (List of episodes)
Production
Producer(s) James D. Rolfe
Editor(s) James D. Rolfe
Location(s) Newark, New Jersey (season 1-3)[citation needed]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (season 3-present)[citation needed]
Camera setup Liam Mulvey
Running time Varies, usually 2-22 minutes per episode
Broadcast
Original channel Internet:
YouTube
ScrewAttack
GameTrailers
CineMassacre
Picture format 360p WMV / FLV / MOV
Original run May 16, 2004 (2004-05-16) – present
Chronology
Preceded by Bad NES Games (CineMassacre Special)[1]
External links
Official website
Production website

The Angry Video Game Nerd (abbreviated as AVGN, occasionally shortened to The Nerd) is the character of a series of farcical retrogaming video reviews by James D. Rolfe.[2][3] The show generally revolves around retro game reviews that involve bitter rants against particularly low-quality or poorly designed video games, often associated with movie tie-ins. The series began as a feature on YouTube, and later joined ScrewAttack Entertainment, which would later have three of its features, including the AVGN, transferred to GameTrailers exclusively. The show was formerly known as The Angry Nintendo Nerd, a title that was abandoned to avoid legal issues due to the Nintendo trademark, and because the show started reviewing games on other consoles.[4]

The Nerd character is an ill-tempered and foul-mouthed video game fanatic. He derives comic appeal from excessive and inventive use of profanity, frequent displays of explicit gestures, and heavy consumption of beer, particularly Rolling Rock or Yuengling. A particular characteristic, which has become something of a trademark of his character, is for him to describe, in great detail, extremely repulsive and painful, usually firmly scatological acts, and to claim that he would rather endure them than to play the game that he is reviewing. Varying amounts of physical comedy are mixed into the verbal abuses.

Contents

[edit] Popularity

[edit] YouTube

"The Nerd" was covered on MTV's 2006 news special on viral videos

The Angry Video Game Nerd show originated on YouTube under the JamesNintendoNerd Channel, where it was known as the Angry Nintendo Nerd show until November 15, 2006. The show was aired entirely on YouTube until James Rolfe joined with Gametrailers, after which the YouTube account was used only for trailers and miscellaneous videos. On July 25, 2008, older episodes that were exclusive only to Gametrailers started being gradually uploaded to the JamesNintendoNerd Channel for the YouTube subscribers.[5]

[edit] Opie and Anthony Radio Show

On August 8, 2007, Rolfe's character gained mainstream attention when his videos were featured on the nationally syndicated radio show Opie and Anthony. Opie & Anthony found his obscenity-laced tirades against poorly made video games quite humorous, and took notice of one of their own Whip 'em Out Wednesdays (WOW) promotional stickers being featured quite prominently in several of Rolfe's videos. Since then, additional videos have been played occasionally on the show. Rolfe was later interviewed by Opie and Anthony on January 9, 2008.[6] Rolfe would go on to host a show on Opie and Anthony's XM Satellite Radio (now Sirius/XM) channel for their "Saturday Night Virus" block of shows, but has done only one show so far and has not returned since.

[edit] Spike TV

The Angry Video Game Nerd was featured during an episode of Spike TV's Game Head during the week of November 25, 2007. The spot included clips of some of his previous reviews such as Die Hard.

[edit] Best Online Web Series 2009

The Angry Video Game Nerd was voted Best Online Web Series in Mashable's 3rd Annual Open Web Awards on December 16th, 2009.[7]

[edit] Show

[edit] Episodes

Main article: List of The Angry Video Game Nerd episodes

[edit] Special guests

Mike Matei as Jason in the review of Friday the 13th.

Occasionally, "special guests" based on famous film and television characters make appearances. These guests often provide additional commentary on the games and mock the Nerd's anguish, becoming increasingly foul mouthed and derisive as the episodes progress. Most of the characters are played by Mike Matei, who also illustrates the show's title cards. His roles include Freddy Krueger (twice), Bugs Bunny (twice), Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, Chop Top, Michael Myers, the Cowardly Lion, a Klingon, a Metron, the Joker, Frankenstein's monster, and Bugs' form of Woody Woodpecker. Freddy Krueger is played by James Rolfe with Matei taking on the role when both were in frame.[8] Also, Kyle Justin played both Spider-Man and Cousin Itt in separate episodes, which were accompanied by him performing the theme songs from Spider-Man and The Addams Family, with reworked lyrics. Justin was also featured in the Battletoads and second Bugs Bunny (Crazy Castle) episodes as himself.

Some episodes have a basic storyline inspired by the plot of the game or movie being reviewed (e.g. in the Halloween review, the Nerd is stalked by Michael Myers while he goes babysitting). In these cases, guests are used to play the episode-specific characters. In the Halloween review, Michael Mulvey and Lil' Liam Mulvey, wearing Optimus Prime and Swamp Thing costumes, respectively, play the parts of the neighbor's Trick-or-treaters. Nicole Mulvey plays the neighbor. In The Texas Chainsaw Massacre review, Jimmy Jim Slugg appears as the hillbilly.

In The Nerd's take on A Christmas Carol, Stuttering Craig and Handsome Tom, co-founders of ScrewAttack, appear as the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Present, respectively. A Dracula sprite from Castlevania II: Simon's Quest represents the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.[9][10]

[edit] Music

Kyle Justin playing the theme in the introduction for the Sega CD review

The Angry Video Game Nerd theme song was composed by independent musician Kyle Justin. The lyrics were the work of both Justin and Rolfe.[11] Some of the lyrics come from comments made by Rolfe in his review of Back to the Future.

The original version of the theme song, which refers to the titular character as the "Angry Nintendo Nerd," features only an acoustic guitar. The second recording is similar to the original but features a more refined performance and an extra lyric at the end referring to the "Angry Video Game Nerd." This version of the theme song was used in the Sega Master System Rocky review, quickly displaced by the third version, then used again in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle review. The third version, which debuted in the "Atari 5200" video, features an overdriven electric guitar and drum set. This version significantly expands on the original song, adding more verses, choruses, and new music. However, a pared-down version, similar in structure to the second version of the theme song, is normally used. The full version is only featured in the Sega CD review and on the DVD set.

The theme song has been covered by fans in genres from heavy metal to chiptune. Rolfe occasionally features a vocal or instrumental cover of the theme song in lieu of the original version in the main titles or end titles of a video. The cover by Dustin Aßmuteit is featured as an extra on the first DVD set.

In addition to the Angry Video Game Nerd theme song, several songs have been parodied and performed by Kyle Justin in Angry Video Game Nerd episodes, including "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (both "Bible Games" episodes), the Spider-Man theme song ("Spider-Man"), and the Addams Family theme song ("Fester's Quest"). "Nintendo Power" features a cover of the theme song from Nintendo Power commercials, while the Intellivision and the ColecoVision reviews feature a cover of Foreigner's "Double Vision".

The scores for Angry Video Game Nerd episodes are culled from a variety of sources, including film soundtracks, television soundtracks, and pop music. Some episodes, including "Friday the 13th" (DVD version only), "Nightmare on Elm Street" (DVD version only), "Rocky" (DVD version only), "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Halloween", and "An Angry Nerd Christmas Carol" have necessitated the composition of original scores. Musician Chris Holland has contributed several rock songs, including covers of the opening song from Mickey's Christmas Carol by Irwin Kostal, the "Theme from Star Trek" by Alexander Courage, and the march from Superman by John Williams.

[edit] Animated characters

The Nerd fighting alongside "Super Mecha Death Christ 2000 B.C 4.0 Beta" in The Wizard & Super Mario Bros 3

The show also makes use of original animated characters to add commentary or advance an episode-specific plot. The review of Master Chu and the Drunkard Hu uses a character called "Shit Pickle" to comment on the game play. In the Wizard/Super Mario Bros. 3 review, the Nerd calls upon the "Super Mecha Death Christ 2000 B.C 4.0 Beta" to assist in the destruction of a demonically possessed Super Mario Bros. 3 cartridge. This character is a combination of Jesus, robotic components, assorted weapons, and a tank. Both Shit Pickle and Super Mecha Death Christ are originally from Rolfe's film "The Wizard of Oz 3: Dorothy Goes to Hell"[12] and are voiced by James Rolfe and created by Mike Matei. Rolfe explained on his website that Super Mecha Death Christ was created as a spoof on the numerous Mecha-characters found in the Godzilla movies, such as Mechagodzilla.[13] During his review of the Magnavox Odyssey, a character called "The Nerdy Turd" (who is a clone made from the Nerd's feces) is introduced.

[edit] DVD

On November 18, 2007, the first AVGN DVD set was released. It includes all of the episodes up to the first Bible Games episode. Some material, such as movie clips from Back to the Future and Rocky, were removed to avoid copyright infringement and replaced with new material. The DVD includes extended versions of the "Wally Bear and the NO Gang!" and "Rocky" reviews as well as an original documentary, deleted scenes, and most of the videos posted exclusively on ScrewAttack.com. In all, the DVD set contains approximately three hours and 15 minutes of content.

According to Rolfe, the initial pressing of the DVD sold out in less than a week.[14] In addition, there were 100 DVDs sold with James Rolfe's autograph on the front cover.[15]

Around November 15, 2008, the second AVGN DVD set, which spans three discs,[16] was released. It includes the GameTrailers.com episodes[17] from the Atari 5200 review to An Angry Nerd Christmas Carol as well as a scene from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III review, the trailers posted on YouTube, commentaries,[18] outtakes (from the 2007 videos as well as some from 2008), and other material.[19]

On December 12, 2009, the third AVGN DVD set, which spans three discs, was released. It includes the GameTrailers.com episodes from Chronologically Confused about the Zelda Timeline to Bible Games 2; however, the review for The Wizard and Super Mario Bros. 3 has been reduced to cover only SMB3 to avoid copyright infringement. Three of the episodes have been extended. The DVD set also includes outtakes, a tour of the Nerd's room, and other material.[20]

[edit] Related media

CNN's "News to Me" featured the penny rant

[edit] You Know What's Bullshit?

"You Know What's Bullshit?" is a series of short videos in which Rolfe (The Bullshit Man) angrily complains about seemingly inconsequential problems in a style similar to that of the Angry Video Game Nerd. Topics have included security labels, temperature, pennies, shoelaces, printers, hotel TVs, movies about penguins, DVDs, sequel titles, people who keep their Christmas decorations up even after Christmas is over, and the fact that bagels have an excessive amount (to him, that is) of cream cheese on them. On December 12, 2007, Rolfe's "You Know What's Bullshit?" penny rant was featured on CNN's "News to Me" segment.[21] The most recent video was released on Cinemassacre.com on July 12, 2009.

[edit] References

  1. ^ James Rolfe. (2007). What Was I Thinking?: The Making of the Angry Video Game Nerd. [DVD]. ScrewAttack. 
  2. ^ James Rolfe (August 8, 2007). "AVGN: Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout". GameTrailers. http://gametrailers.com/player/23316.html?type=flv. Retrieved December 1, 2007. 
  3. ^ James Rolfe. (2008). CineMassacre 200. [YouTube]. CineMassacre. 
  4. ^ "Nerd FAQ". The CineMassacre Productions. no date. http://www.cinemassacre.com/new/?page_id=2454#question12. Retrieved November 25, 2007. 
  5. ^ JamesNintendoNerd channel description
  6. ^ Opie and Anthony (November 2, 2008). "Angry Video Game Nerd Opie and Anthony Interview Pt 1". Opie and Anthony Radio Show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUVe9RAg3Js. Retrieved November 2, 2008. 
  7. ^ Cashmore, Pete (2009-12-16). "Open Web Awards 2009: The Winners". Mashable. http://mashable.com/2009/12/16/open-web-awards-2009-50-winners/. Retrieved 2009-12-16. 
  8. ^ James Rolfe. "AVGN: Nightmare on Elm St commentary". GameTrailers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44LOjtXzxyE. Retrieved December 30, 2007. 
  9. ^ James Rolfe. "AVGN: A Christmas Carol Pt. 1". GameTrailers. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/29069.html. Retrieved December 25, 2007. 
  10. ^ James Rolfe. "AVGN: A Christmas Carol Pt. 2". GameTrailers. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/29192.html. Retrieved December 25, 2007. 
  11. ^ Kyle Justin. "Kyle Justin's AVGN Music Page". http://kylejustinmusic.com/AngryVideoGameNerd.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-24. 
  12. ^ "The Wizard of Oz 3: Dorothy Goes to Hell" at Cinemassacre
  13. ^ James Rolfe (2008-10-13). "Godzillathon #20 - Godzilla Vs. MechaGodzilla (1993)". CineMassacre.com. http://www.cinemassacre.com/new/?p=379. Retrieved 2008-10-25. 
  14. ^ James Rolfe (November 25, 2007). "AVGN DVD SOLD OUT!". Cinemassacre. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWJv1vvtPao. Retrieved November 25, 2007. 
  15. ^ James Rolfe (March 12, 2008). "AVGN DVD Autograph". Cinemassacre, ScrewAttack. http://www.revver.com/video/734577/avgn-dvd-autograph/. Retrieved March 16, 2008. 
  16. ^ James Rolfe (August 8, 2008). "Updates from me". Cinemassacre. http://www.cinemassacre.com/new/?p=41. Retrieved August 29, 2008. 
  17. ^ "Angry Video Game Nerd DVD FAQ". The CineMassacre Productions. http://cinemassacre.com/AVGN/DVD_FAQ.html. Retrieved March 25, 2008. 
  18. ^ "Official AVGN Merchandise". ScrewAttack, Yahoo!. http://www.screwattackstore.com/avgn-dvd-volume2.html. Retrieved November 22, 2008. 
  19. ^ James Rolfe. "AVGN DVD - Volume 2". Cinemassacre, YouTube. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=meTBJ1ufiBs. Retrieved December 1, 2008. 
  20. ^ "AVGN DVD Vol. 3". Cinemassacre. Dec. 12, 2009. http://www.cinemassacre.com/new/?p=3755. Retrieved Dec. 12, 2009. 
  21. ^ James Rolfe (December 9, 2007). "News To Me". Cinemassacre. http://cinemassacre.com/Movies/CNN-pennies.mov. Retrieved December 9, 2007. 

[edit] External links

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