In the realm of retro video game nostalgia and preservation, the debate over emulation versus original hardware is always a heated one. Yet, this debate has recently been overshadowed by a more concerning issue: the questionable ethics behind Pat The NES Punk's latest project, an N64 game review book.
This N64 review compilation, rather than being a tribute to the beloved console, has ignited controversy for its reliance on emulators—a detail conveniently omitted from its promotion. This oversight, or rather, deliberate confusion towards customers, has not only sparked accusations of deception, but has also highlighted Pat's hypocrisy, given his previous critiques of others in the gaming sphere (shocking, I know...).
The Hollow Argument for Emulation
So let's start off with the good. What Pat has done right. He has informed some folks on discord that the N64 games being reviewed will be using ROMs instead of actual Nintendo hardware. So in a way, I applaud him for his honesty in revealing how he was going about creating the book, but at the same time... I don't want to give him too much credit, as he is using additional writers for assistance in creating this book and that secret would have gotten out either way, so one could argue he's being forthcoming to get ahead of it.
For TRUE gaming aficionados, the charm of gaming lies in its authenticity: the tactile sensation of the controller (which he claims real N64 controllers are required to be used?), the unique quirks of the hardware, and the tangible presence of a cartridge. Emulation, no matter how practical, always seems to fall short of capturing these nuances. It's even more noticeable and pronounced as you move towards the elevated technologies like the always challenging to emulate: Nintendo 64.
Pat's failure to use actual authentic and genuine N64 cartridges to review for his book, paired with his reliance on emulation (and others assisting him in writing it) is a betrayal to those who hold these values as being of the utmost importance, undermining the trust and credibility he always seems to preach about himself within the community.
A Breach of Integrity
The situation becomes more glaring when considering the approach of other reviewers, like Brett Weiss, who painstakingly ensured their reviews are based on their own personal experiences with the original hardware. But according to Pat, because Brett used reviews from people who volunteered to be a part of the book instead of paying those people as writers, he implies that Brett is the bad guy. Apparently it's perfectly ok to use ROMs instead of real hardware for a book reviewing... uhhh... REAL HARDWARE.
I covered this situation in a previous video, exposing just how hypocritical Pat can be, speaking out of both sides of his mouth with an obvious agenda that he is determined to reach. Brett's dedication speaks volumes about integrity, a trait Pat clearly lacks, as evidenced by his leaked discord messages.
There, get this... he likens using a N64 ROM to review as the same thing as watching a film on TV instead of in a theater—a flimsy justification that does little to ease any concerns of the community. And then we have the hypocrisy of 'rules for me, not for thee when convenient for me':
The Other Side of the Coin: A Convenient Excuse
While some advocate for emulation as a means of accessibility and preservation, these arguments feel hollow in the context of Pat's book. Sure, if the average layperson wants to pick up and play a game for their own fun, the convenience of emulation can potentially work as serviceable, but does not justify Pat's lack of transparency with which this book was marketed. It gives the impression that the primary motive might be cutting corners for broader coverage, rather than a genuine concern for game preservation and authenticity.
Not to mention Pat has made it abundantly clear that he favors the NES library personally, and cares little for N64 games other than getting the book out there to make a quick buck, even if it means pulling the wool over the eyes of the customer on how the sausage got made behind the scenes...
A Misguided Attempt at Balance
The debate over emulation's validity is overshadowed by a more significant issue of transparency and honesty. Pat takes a very flippant approach to the consumer - i.e. - "Maybe? I dunno? Nobody cares?"
A forthright admission of the use of emulation in the book's preface may have soften the blow, but regardless even if he does do that, it does little to cover up for the implied lies of how these reviews were created. Writing it clearly on the cover or even in the title of the book that these reviews within are based on emulation and not actual hardware would make far more sense. The omission suggests a deliberate attempt to mislead, prioritizing profit over the integrity of the review process. And as Pat as stated himself - he doesn't care, nor does he feel like this is even an important issue.
For even more insights on this, Jenovi made a fantastic video capturing just how hypocritical this 'Pat the NES' guy is:
A Future Marred by Distrust
Pat The NES Punk's latest N64 book serves as a reminder to all writers about the consequences of prioritizing convenience over authenticity. It underscores the importance of transparency and ethics in content creation—a lesson Pat seems to have disregarded, much to the detriment of his standing in the gaming community.
As the dust settles, one can only hope for a future where integrity prevails - and that's why I'm bringing this information to you here. Pat's actions have cast a long shadow of doubt over the years. People buying the book would be trusting of Pat's "efforts" from the past, but instead, all this does is call into question whether Pat himself had actually played any of the games he has reviewed in the past authentically. ~Smash Big thanks to the help/sources for this article:
Sweet & Tender Hooligan
Jenovi
Brett Weiss
Judging from some of the posts/responses I've read here, Pat's biggest issue isn't authenticity, but the inability to write/type out complete and/or coherent sentences. Emulators or no, the guy expresses himself like an illiterate prick. Which to me is a much more pressing problem for someone who is purportedly writing a book.