The greatest video games of all time with Randy Lew
We chat to former pro gamer nanonoko to discuss his favourite (non-poker) video games.
"StreetFighter 2 is frustrating"
PokerStrategy.com: Whats the first video game you remember?
Randy Lew: Street Fighter 2 - The World Warrior on Super Nintendo! My cousin was the one who introduced it to me when I was in elementary school and that’s what got me hooked onto competitive fighting games.
PokerStrategy.com: What game is the most fun to play with friends?
Randy Lew: Any of the Mario Party games were great. Simple games yet fun.
PokerStrategy.com: Which is the most frustrating to play?
Randy Lew: When I play Street Fighter or Marvel vs Capcom and I keep on losing to a strategy I can’t figure out and they are just taunting you as you lose game after game and never figuring it out.
PokerStrategy.com: What is your favourite pre Playstation/Xbox game?
Randy Lew: River City Ransom
PokerStrategy.com: If you were stuck on a desert island and could only take one game with you, what would it be?
Randy Lew: Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 Plus
"Mario Kart is the most fun with friends"
PokerStrategy.com: What video games do you play at the moment?
Randy Lew: Mainly just multiplayer type games on the Wii with friends and family like Mario Kart, Nintendo Land. Sometimes I’ll play Marvel vs Capcom 3 if the right friends come over.
PokerStrategy.com: Xbox or Playstation?
Randy Lew: Playstation.
PokerStrategy.com: Sega or Nintendo?
Randy Lew: Nintendo.
PokerStrategy.com: Angry birds or Candy crush?
Randy Lew: Angry Birds.
PokerStrategy.com: What (non poker) games do you play on your phone (possibly on the toilet)?
Randy Lew: Clash of the Clans and board games (Agricola, Carcassone, Le Havre, Ra, Tigris & Euphrates, Tikal)
PokerStrategy.com: What was the perception of friends and family when you were playing competitive video games? Did they respect it or dismiss it?
Randy Lew: My brothers were the ones who I played with and they still do play with me. I can safely say that my parents were never a fan especially when they noticed I was never doing my homework. Friends knew we were hardcore gamers when we were traveling around the USA to play in Street Fighter tournaments. They knew when to step aside and let me finish beating up my brother.
"I should have an edge over most poker players"
PokerStrategy.com: Was the perception better or worse when you turned to poker?
Randy Lew: Probably better when I turned to poker because you can actually make a living off of poker whereas in video games it can really only be a hobby.
PokerStrategy.com: If right now you were randomly challenged to play any version of Tekken or Street Fighter 2 by a poker player for money, do you think you would have an edge?
Randy Lew: Yeah I should easily have the edge over the majority of poker players! A lot of people who say they play and think they’re good, well they aren’t really that good. My fundamentals will always come through if they aren’t playing at a high level.
PokerStrategy.com: Do you have any plans to go back into competitive gaming?
Randy Lew: I’ve always wanted to because I do think I have a shot at being pretty good still but the time and commitment is a ton. I would have to take away time from poker and life to get to the top but even then it would be very tough as the standard level of competition is very strong now. I think my heart will be content to being better at poker first and experiencing new things in life.
PokerStrategy.com: Have you ever played any of these games (I’m listing some of my personal old school faves here) – WonderBoy, Speedball 2, Toejam & Earl, Micro Machines, Double Dragon..
Randy Lew: Only Double Dragon and I loved that game! Double Dragon 3 was definitely the best but was so hard. I use to let my brother do the jumping across ledges parts when I was a kid because when you lose a character to a pit, you lose him forever. No resetting and trying again.
"I'm worried about non-stop sitting"
PokerStrategy.com: Video games, poker, and I guess quite a lot of traveling – that involves lots of sitting, are you worried about the negative health effects of sitting?
Randy Lew: Yeah I’m actually always a bit worried about the negative health effects of sitting around. I’m trying to develop more physical activity habits but sometimes when I’m in the zone, I can’t break it and gotta keep playing. Hopefully, I get better over time.
PokerStrategy.com: Likewise, are you worried what staring at screen for so long does to your eyes?
Randy Lew: I was born with 20/20 vision but I can safely say that playing video games and online poker has made my vision worse. Bad enough that I couldn’t see clearly without glasses. Good thing I made enough in poker that I decided to get Lasik.
PokerStrategy.com: Which has caused the most tilt, video games or poker?
Randy Lew: Poker because in a video game tournament, once you lose you’re out so your mind can reset. But in a poker cash game, you can be losing but you’re still playing so sometimes it’s hard to let go of tilt.
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What's your favourite video game? Let us know in the comments box.
