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Cannabis and retro gaming: A high-score experience
Love lighting up and getting lost in the alternate worlds of video games? Spark up your next session with this mix of retro video games and old-school cannabis strains. It's a real blast from the past!
Weed has long been celebrated for its ability to elevate gaming. From immersive story-based games to open-world RPGs or even competitive sports titles, you'd be hard-pressed to find a game that doesn't get better after a few tokes of the herb. In fact, there's even research to suggest that cannabis can work as a performance enhancer—so if you're looking to beat your high score, you might be better off lighting up first.
Keep reading to learn more about the intricate relationship between cannabis and gaming, and enjoy our hand-picked list of nostalgic video games (alongside some old-school strain suggestions) to enhance your next gaming session.
Weed & Gaming: The Perfect Pairing?
It's undeniable—weed and video games go together like burgers and fries. Whether you want to unwind as you roam a mythical realm in an RPG or get jacked to beat your high score in a fast-paced platform game, the right dose of cannabis might just help get you there. In fact, there's plenty to be said for cannabis being a "performance enhancer".
In 2011, for example, the journal Sports Medicine published an elaborate review of how cannabis can (and does) help athletes perform better (Huestis, Mazzoni, & Rabin, 2011). Some of the potential benefits listed in the review include:
- Helping to improve vision
- Aiding in muscle relaxation
- Decreasing fear and tension
- Promoting better sleep
- Improving concentration
Would it be too far-fetched to imagine that cannabis can have similar effects on gamers, thereby helping them concentrate and get lost in the game they're playing? You'd struggle to find a gamer who hasn't had an amazing session while under the relaxing spell of a few tokes.
Why Retro Games?
So, the idea that weed elevates your gaming experience doesn't seem too hard to believe. But why bother with retro games, especially in this day and age when new titles pop up on Steam seemingly every day? While there's absolutely nothing wrong with modern video games, retro games have a lot going for them, including:
- They're accessible: The games in this list don't need an 8 GB graphics card to run or hours to download. Instead, you'll be able to instal most of the games mentioned here in minutes on your work computer, or even play them directly from a web browser!
- They're pretty: Sure, modern games look AMAZING with their incredible graphics. But there's an undeniable nostalgia that comes with the low resolution and primary colours that defined so many classic games of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. After a mood-boosting toke or two, you'll be sure to appreciate the look and feel of the retro games listed below.
- They're tons of fun: Sure, retro games might lack the complex mechanics of more modern titles. But don't let that fool you—while you'll likely get a hang of these games pretty quickly, they still provide enough of a challenge to keep you coming back for more.
Cannabis & Retro Gaming: Our Selections
Ready to kick up your feet, relax, and enjoy some hard-earned hours of gaming? Check out our favourite retro video game titles for stoners below. Plus, there's a little surprise—we paired each game title with a unique strain that we think perfectly matches its vibe.
Tetris
Created in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, Tetris is a timeless classic. To date, it's available on over 65 platforms and recognised by the Guinness World Records as being the "most ported" game in the world. Perfect for playing on your phone on the go or as you kick back at home.
Enjoy it while smoking: Critical, a soothing old-school indica with a well-balanced body and mind buzz.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Need something a little more fast-paced? Instal this classic 90s platform game originally designed for the Sega Genesis. Loved for its fast gameplay and the introduction of Sonic's sidekick, Miles "Tails" Power, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a must-have for any fan of retro games.
Enjoy it while smoking: Blue Dream, a balanced hybrid from the 2000s that packs the cerebral boost of a Haze with the mellow buzz of classic Blueberry.
Goldeneye 007
Kick back, light up, and enjoy one of the most iconic shooters from the late 1990s. Published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64, Goldeneye 007 lets you take control of James Bond as you raid criminal bases. Alternatively, invite some friends over for some classic split-screen multiplayer shootouts. Oh, and remember to hit pause—this game features some of the dopest pause menu music ever!
Enjoy it while smoking: AK47, aptly named and packing a long-lasting cerebral buzz that'll help you keep your finger firm on the trigger.
Pong
Talk about a blast from the past—Pong was released by Atari in 1972! Modelled after real ping pong, the game was actually created as a training exercise by Allan Alcorn shortly after being hired by Atari. Little did Alcorn know that his work would end up being one of the most iconic video games in history!
Enjoy it while smoking: Northern Lights, another classic indica queen that produces an unmistakable euphoric high that's perfect for sharing with friends as you face each other in Pong!
Street Fighter II
After a bit more competition? Then get your hands on Street Fighter II: The World Warrior. Solo or with friends, fighting your way up the ranks of the World Warrior Tournament is a challenge even for experienced gamers. Give it a shot today!
Enjoy it while smoking: Amnesia Haze, a classic variety combining the stone of real Amnesia with the cerebral hit of Haze. You'll be gaming for hours without knowing where the time went!
Pac-Man
Get lost in 1980s nostalgia with this classic arcade game from Namco, featuring bold primary colours and a simple mission—eat up all the dots in the maze while avoiding the four ghosts. Best of all, you can play Pac-Man for free with Google!
Enjoy it while smoking: Blueberry, a classic strain for a classic game, delivering a mellow body buzz and an elated mood that'll keep you blissed-out throughout your entire gaming session.
Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow
The personal favourite of many a millennial, the Pokemon series had millions of kids hunched over their Gameboys in the 90s and 2000s with a series mission—to catch 'em all, of course! Relive the magic of these classic games with an emulator, or by investing in an original Gameboy.
Enjoy it while smoking: Acapulco Gold, a legendary Mexican sativa with an invigorating buzz that'll motivate you to fill your entire Pokedex!
Doom
Love horror shooters? Go back to the genre's roots with the original Doom from 1993. Featuring classic billboard graphics (that is, 2D sprites layered over 3D environments) and countless hours of fun roaming Mars and hell, what's not to love?
Enjoy it while smoking: Bruce Banner, because you'll need a heady buzz to control Doomguy and rid the universe of its hordes of undead humans and demons.
EarthBound
Join Ness, Paula, Jeff, and Poo as they travel the world and aim to defeat their antagonist, Giygas. While it didn't sell well in the 90s, EarthBound has won a strong cult following and is a great choice for some casual RPG gaming.
Enjoy it while smoking: Bubblegum, because a pretty, lighthearted game like EarthBound calls for a sweet, relaxing, and slightly uplifting strain to match its mood.
Super Mario Bros.
Race through Mushroom Kingdom, stomp Goombas and Koopa Troopas, and save Princess Peach from King Koopa (who some younger readers might know as Bowser). No retro game night is complete without Super Mario Bros., so make sure you add this classic to your collection.
Enjoy it while smoking: Power Plant, a Dutch classic that'll fuel you with the powers you need to rescue Princess Peach and save Mushroom Kingdom!
Game On: The Joy of Cannabis Gaming
There you have it—a walkthrough of some of the best retro games for your stoner game night. Pair them with the old-school strains listed, or any other strain that you love, and remember: it's all about having some fun (unless you're facing off against your best friend in Pong—that s**t is serious!).
- Huestis, Marilyn A., Mazzoni, Irene, Rabin, & Olivier. (2011, November). Cannabis in Sport - https://link.springer.com
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