You probably have a favourite content creator. A YouTuber or Twitch streamer who makes their way into your daily routine as a source of information, entertainment, and comfort. They likely reflect your sense of humour and personality, like a distant friend you have so much in common with that you can’t help but find them endearing.
However, before parasocial relationships became the norm in the online world, there was Mega64. A group of dudes from California who loved all things video games and wanted to put their own comedic spin on things. They were one of the mightiest forces on YouTube in its infancy, producing a range of creative comedic sketches based on new releases that live on to this day. Beyond that, however, they have fostered a community that will stand by them no matter what.
Mega64 Is The Perfect Distillation Of Video Game Fandom
Earlier this week, Mega64 went online to tell its followers that the company was in dire straits, and was simply not earning enough to stay afloat in today’s climate. The reality it put forward was heartbreaking, and the fact that if something didn’t change soon, Mega64 would cease to exist. As the internet is want to do, people turned out in droves to share their memories of meeting the crew, their favourite videos, and how lonely the online world would feel if a source of joy like this one ceased to exist. Fast-forward a few days later, and things already look much brighter.
If you love Mega64, please tune in to our stream happening now on https://t.co/B6Pmr2KD45 and https://t.co/aDoIajidmw pic.twitter.com/nKAAcHtw96
— Mega64 (@mega64) October 29, 2024
For those unfamiliar, Mega64 began life as a web series created by Rocco Botte, Derrick Acosta, and Shawn Chatfield. The premise has a character called Dr. Poque (Botte) created the most powerful games console of all time where users are literally transported into the shoes of their favourite characters. This acted as an excuse to produce creative real-world sketches in which Botte, Acosta, and Chatfield dressed up as video game characters and played innocent pranks on random bystanders. Early standouts include videos inspired by Resident Evil 4, Assassin’s Creed, and Metal Gear Solid 4, which featured a cameo from Hideo Kojima.
Having met them in real life a handful of years ago, they are definitely some of the realest dudes in the gaming world.
Mega64 appeared to touch on a vein of internet humour that never existed before, pulling together elements of surreal and cringe into fun, short, and entertaining videos on the new games of the time that frequented YouTube, MySpace, and Bebo. I’d watch them as a kid, and as a teenager, learned of the podcast and other things the team was making that were just as funny and inventive. It became a hobby of sorts long before I’d find similar critical personalities on sites like Gamespot and Giant Bomb. Mega64 was ahead of its time, and now stands proudly as an architect of the modern internet.
Mega64 Deserves To Have A Future
It has also never been afraid to evolve, making a name for itself in recent years with oddball Game of the Year videos, timely sketches to things going on in the gaming world, and a new series of videos where they chronicle the events of things like Dragon Ball, Metal Gear Solid, and Neon Genesis Evangelion in under five minutes.
That stayed true to its namesake for a bit, until the series grew increasingly complex with lovingly crafted homemade props, incredible comedic timing, and a passionate understanding of the source material. There’s nothing like it on the internet, and if Mega64 goes under, there probably never will be again.
The Mega64 team have also become regulars of the convention circuit, meeting up with fans and creating content while on the road that is just as inventive as the main output.
But things are looking bright, at least for the foreseeable future. Recent days have seen the channel trend on social media as members of the gaming industry share their memories of Mega64, which in turn has brought new fans into the fold. The Patreon is on fire right now, and is hopefully the beginning of something more sustainable and prosperous for a group that has blazed a path forward since the very beginning.
If you’ve never heard of Mega64, or have only stumbled across its shenanigans in passing before now, I’d heartily recommend you get stuck in and see what they have to offer.