Early on in the pandemic when everyone was doing video interviews, Mike Elfers got a hold of the Console Wars team for a Who’s Zooming’ Who? interview to talk video games and more. Now, over three years later, he checks in with Dan Bulich, co-host of Console Wars. We rolled a SEVEN.
(Note- this interview was submitted during the 2023 holiday season. Some questions and responses will reflect that time frame)
Mike: Hello Dan Bulich of Console Wars! We are finally reunited after our Zoom Interview days and it feels so good! It looks like our headitor rolled a seven, here we go! Question one: With so much changing in the world of YouTube channels, I’d love to get the readers a general overview of what to expect from the Sega Versus Nintendo boys. What’s new with your channel, and what do you guys do?
Dan Bulich: There’s not really much new. We’re still doing the same Super Nintendo versus Sega Genesis comparison videos with our cheesy brand of humor. We make shorts here and there to keep up with the times, but definitely don’t make as many as we should. Still not on tiktok because we’re grumpy old men and refuse. There’s just too many social media platforms and it’s like a rat race/full time job to keep up on all of them. We’re streaming more. Still not on Twitch (too many platforms), but on a separate channel on YouTube called Console Wars live. Trying to do that more consistently. Honestly, I’m a new dad so that’s the most exciting new thing happening in my life right now.
As we gripe through everyone’s end of the year “Spotify Wrapped” posts and constantly remind ourselves how little an independent musician makes through streaming anymore, I feel we have a rare opportunity to get a similar perspective from you as YouTube content creators. I understand Console Wars has moved a lot of exclusive content to a Patreon page, can you shed some light on your roles in the current reality of independent productions and monetization?
We’re not rich but we’re making some money. We don’t make nearly enough where we can do this full time. We make enough to cover production costs, which consists of mostly costumes and beer. Patreon is more of a tip jar. You get earlier releases, commentary tracks, bloopers, the discord link and exclusive streams and contests. I don’t expect to break the bank with Console Wars, but its nice to get something back for all the time it takes to get each episode made. We really appreciate all the support on Patreon and everyone who donates through the super chat. Also grateful for all the donations of games we get. I rarely have to buy games for comparisons.
I know you just had a sweet lil baby so I figured this question would cater to you well… as a fellow fan of retro console gaming, my lack of free time due to parenting has only solidified the requirement that a game can easily be picked up for whatever short periods I can find. This, of course, coincides with modern games that take weeks and months to play to completion, can I get your thoughts as gamers in the never ending fight between the old and the new?
Old has won! I barely play new games. All modern style games are open world and filled with side quests (we make fun of it in our Spiderman Separation Anxiety episode). And I’m OCD about that stuff, I can never just do the main quest. I always feel like I’m missing out. And I can’t play everyday so when I come back after not playing, I have no idea what the story is anymore, or what I’m even supposed to do. And now I’m really gonna sound like an old man, but there are too many buttons! Too many button combinations to input attacks or whatever you need to do. After not playing for a few weeks I forgot how to play. Give me a jump and shoot button, that’s all I need. With new games, I tend to play retro style. Right now I’m playing Sea of Stars. Simple and very old school.
As a long term fan of the channel, I know that booze can act as an important catalyst to your joy of video games. Can I get a game title fromyou that you would consider an all-time great for heavy drinking? I’m thinking of one with opportune moments for sips and refills, without affecting gameplay.
I actually don’t do much drinking and gaming. I’m so bad, I need to be sober in order to do well. If i had to pick a game I’d say the Dynasty Warrior series. Mindless button mashing set in ancient China with a generic metal soundtrack sounds like a drunken good time to me.
Alright, feel free to break your Sega/Nintendo loyalty camps for this one… Which was a better film and why: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) or The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023)?
Sonic! Would who’ve guessed the Sega guy liked Sonic more? Something about it being mixed with live action makes it feel more cinematic. The Mario movie feels more kiddie. I also feel like Mario was just nostalgia jammed down your throat with lots of overused music choices. Also I’ll take Jim Carey over Jack Black any day.
Holiday time is upon us, can I get your personal gaming wishlists? This can include newer titles, your white whales or bucket list items, or beyond.
I want a PS5 so I can play Robocop Rogue City. Big fan of the first Robocop movie so that’s the only new game I want to play.
I asked this question already in our Who’s Zoomin’ Who? Interview, but in the spirit of text-based embedding and this site being predominantly music related… can I get a Sega OST and a SNES OST that are at the top of each of your lists? It can be a particular song, or an entire soundtrack, but for the sake of embedding, a song would be perfect.
For Sega Genesis it’s The Adventure of Batman and Robin. This is always my go-to for top Genesis soundtrack. Such an intese techno-driven soundtrack that should not be in a Batman game and I love it! “Space Boss” is my favorite track. Such a heavy hitting, electronic track that just kicks so much ass. For Super Nintendo I’m just gonna go with my favorite game of all time, Chrono Trigger. It’s hard to pick a favorite track there, but I’ll go with “Corridors of TIme.” Such a moving track with a sense of wonder and hope. Every time it takes me back to the summer of 1995 where all I had to do was play video games.
Roll of the Dice is a short interview format with a variable amount of questions. A pair of dice is rolled and the total, between 2 and 12, is the amount of questions we can ask. All questions are given to the interviewee(s) at once, and no follow-ups are allowed. The interview may be lightly edited for content and clarity.
the white drew carey (aka – Jeff Sorley) is the founder and head editor of TGEFM. He’s lived (outside of) Chicago, Madison WI, (ugh) Penn State, Lyon FR, Oxford UK, central New Jersey, and now within earshot of SFO in the Bay Area. When not scouring the web for more great bands and labels to post about, he also spends time drawing (mostly) silly sci-fi and anime stuff under the name Asplenia Studios.
