Ep 2. Desert Bus

The show Angry Video Game Nerd has been around since 2004 and is known for its humorous and angry reactions to old and bad video games. The show's host, James Rolfe, plays various games and gives his opinions on them while also providing some background history of the game. In season 8 episode 2, titled "Desert Bus", James takes on what may be the worst video game ever made.

The episode begins with James describing the game's history and how it was created as part of a prank for a Penn & Teller game. The game, titled Desert Bus, is a simulation of a bus driving through the desert and the objective is to complete the eight-hour trip from Tucson, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada without crashing or stopping. The game was never released commercially but instead was included as part of a collection of mini-games on a 1995 Sega CD game titled Penn & Teller's Smoke and Mirrors.

James dives into the gameplay and immediately shows frustration with the monotony of the game. The bus can only drive at a speed of 45 miles per hour and there are no other vehicles or obstacles on the road. The scenery remains the same throughout the entire journey, with no variations to the landscape other than a few cacti. James explains that the game was designed to be intentionally bad and that there is no way to win or lose; the only goal is to complete the trip without crashing.

As James continues to play the game, he becomes increasingly agitated and angry. He describes the game as "psychologically damaging" and criticizes the developers for creating a game with no redeeming qualities. He points out the lack of music, sound effects, or anything to break up the tedium of the drive. James also notes that the game is designed to be played in real-time, meaning that the entire eight-hour journey must be completed all at once, with no way to save progress.

Despite his frustration, James manages to keep his sense of humor and provides some comedic relief to the bleakness of the game. He invents his own mini-games, such as counting the number of cacti on the side of the road or trying to hit imaginary animals with the bus. He also brings on his friend Mike Matei to provide some commentary on the game and shares some interesting facts about the creators of the game.

Overall, the episode of Angry Video Game Nerd featuring Desert Bus is a hilarious and entertaining journey through one of the worst video games ever made. James Rolfe's frustration with the game is palpable but his wit and humor manage to keep the episode enjoyable. Fans of the show will not be disappointed with this episode, and newcomers may find themselves intrigued by the sheer absurdity of the game.