As a proud member of GenX who grew up during the golden age of gaming-from the Atari to the NES-I found Playing with Power: The Nintendo Story absolutely riveting. I've seen countless gaming documentaries over the years, but this one stood out for its depth, historical context, and thoughtful narration by Sean Astin. It doesn't just drop you into the era of Game Boys and Mario-it goes all the way back to Nintendo's 19th-century roots in Japan, and that level of detail was both unexpected and incredibly enlightening.
I've read some of the negative reviews and, frankly, I don't get it. Complaints about too much focus on Japan seem misguided-Nintendo is a Japanese company, after all. If you're looking for a flashy, surface-level doc about recent gaming trends in America, this probably isn't it. But if you care about how we got here, about the cultural and corporate evolution that made Nintendo what it is today, this series delivers.
The editing is solid, the pacing worked for me, and it never felt like it was talking down to the audience. It assumes a certain level of interest and maturity, which might be why it doesn't appeal as much to younger viewers. I can see Gen Z or kids raised on modern consoles getting bored by the slower, more narrative-driven structure. But for those of us who lived through this era-or just love learning about the deeper story behind pop culture-this is essential viewing.
Playing with Power is smart, nostalgic, and unexpectedly emotional at times. It deserves far better reviews than it's getting. Don't be fooled by the low ratings-if you're a lifelong gamer or someone who appreciates real documentary craftsmanship, you'll love it.
