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The Angry Video Game Nerd: Season 6
R0 - America - ScrewAttack Review written by and copyright: James-Masaki Ryan (19th February 2017). |
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The Show
 “The Angry Video Game Nerd: Season 6” (2011-2012) The web series “Angry Video Game Nerd” has been a continuous mainstay on YouTube for over 10 years now - a lone white button-up shirt wearing nerd that plays terrible retro games and takes out his frustration with Rolling Rock beer and loud outbursts of obscenities. Conceptually it sounds like many other YouTube channels of useless videos of so called critics commenting haphazardly and without merit, but writer/director/star James Rolfe sets his show apart from others with creative production work, witty scriptwriting, great editing, and rewatchability. While episodes used to come every two weeks, Rolfe started to slow down the pace of AVGN episodes to concentrate on other work - other web series such as “Board James” and “James & Mike Mondays”, and the theatrical feature film “Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie”. The AVGN web series had been released on the DVD format in separate volumes 1-8. Recently, they have been re-released with new artwork and newly remastered discs along with the release of the 9th collection. The re-released collections are now labeled “Season” rather than “Volume” and the latest release is coined “Season 9”. For all the re-released seasons, the discs have been re-authored completely. "Volume 6" had 3 single-layer DVDs with the episodes and extras divided along the discs. The reissued "Season 6" has all the content on 2 dual-layer DVDs, with the episodes and commentaries on one disc and all other extras on the second disc. The menu screen on the left is for the older DVD release. The one on the right is the reissued DVD release. 
Both releases contain the same following episodes. Note that a * symbol means the theme song intros have been reinstated to the episode on the "Season" set. - "Day Dreamin' Davey" (13:46) * - "Star Wars Games" (22:21) * - "R.O.B. the Robot" (18:39) - "Spielberg Games" (21:05) * - "The Making of an Angry Video Game Nerd Episode: Barbie" (34:56) - "Kid Kool" (8:05) * - "Nintendo World Championships" (16:48) * - "Dark Castle" (11:58) * - "Bible Games 3" (14:05) - "Schwarzenegger Games" (22:23)
Video
The first two episodes in this set "Day Dreamin' Davey" and "Star Wars Games" are presented in non-anamorphic 1.33:1. From "R.O.B. the Robot" forward, all AVGN episodes moved to being shot in high definition in widescreen. The widescreen episodes are presented in 1.78:1. The menus are also presented in widescreen. For the following screenshots the original "Volume" release is first, the reissued "Season" release is second: 
The interlaced transfers of the older sets are now progressively transferred so the ghosting effect is gone. But this particular set has some interesting issues. First off, the older interlaced "Volume" set has a slightly sharper image while the "Season" set has some issues with zig zagging lines, for example on Rolfe's glasses in the 1.33:1 capture and also the NWC capture with Rolfe and Pat Contri staring at the gold cartridge. The first captures have rounder lines for the glasses compared to the second captures. Another issue is with some of the widescreen episodes. Some of the episodes seem to be slightly cropped and vertically stretched on the reissued "Season" set. Take a look at the screenshot with Rolfe holding the "Total Recall" cartridge, where the new reissue has slightly less head room and the same issue with the cap with Rolfe pulling out his own heart. On the other hand, the "R.O.B." episode and "NWC" episode screencaps the framing is exactly the same on both releases.
Audio
English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo Both releases offer the same Dolby Digital track. Both use stereo separation for the background music, effects, and introduction while almost all the video game music and dialogue is center based. There are no subtitles offered.
Extras
The extras are slightly titled and ordered differently on the releases. Like the episodes, all widescreen content is in anamorphic widescreen. All content that is in widescreen is presented in anamorphic widescreen. The BOLD portion is an exclusive. "Volume 6" Audio Commentary on “Nintendo World Championships” by director/writer/actor James Rolfe and actor Pat Contri (Pat the NES Punk) (17:01) Outtakes for “Nintendo World Championships” (4:13) “Nintendo World Championships” Premiere (4:57) 22 “You Know What's Bullshit” Episodes (with Play All function) (14:58) Audio commentary on “R.O.B. the Robot” by James Rolfe (18:45) "The Making of an Angry Video Game Nerd Episode: Barbie" documentary (35:01) “R.O.B. the Robot: Behind the Scenes” featurette (15:32) Outtakes for “Star Wars” (8:27) “Mike Inking a Title Card” featurette (9:12) “Nerd Room 2006” featurette (5:06) “A Year and a Half of AVGN 2011-2012” featurette (14:20) “Mike Talks About the AVGN Experience” featurette (18:12) YouTube Trailers (7:37) "Season 6" Audio commentary on “R.O.B. the Robot” by James Rolfe (18:39) Audio Commentary on “Nintendo World Championships” by director/writer/actor James Rolfe and actor Pat Contri (Pat the NES Punk) (16:48) "Bubble Bobble" part of Pat Contri's NES marathon for charity 2012 (4:32) "Contra Memories" featurette (7:13) "Ghostbusters (XBox 360)" review (6:24) “Mike Inking a Title Card” featurette (9:12) “Mike Talks About the AVGN Experience” featurette - extended version (25:32) “Nerd Room 2006” featurette (5:06) “A Year and a Half of AVGN 2011-2012” featurette (14:20) “Nintendo World Championships” PAX Premiere (4:57) “R.O.B. the Robot: Behind the Scenes” featurette (15:32) "Secret Scout” an abandoned and unfinished AVGN review (4:32) Outtakes for “Nintendo World Championships” (4:13) Outtakes for “Star Wars” (8:28) “You Know What's Bullshit” Episodes - "Wire Hangers" (1:14) - "Penguins" (0:46) - "Temperature" (1:20) The "Volume 6" set has 22 episodes of Rolfe's "You Know What's Bullshit?" series but sadly the "Season 6" set only includes 3 episodes. Now that's bullshit! Again missing from the reissue is the YouTube trailer reel. The one gain for the reissued "Season 6" set is an extended version of the interview with Mike Matei, a full 7 minutes longer. Note that "The Making of an Angry Video Game Nerd Episode: Barbie" on the "Volume 6" disc is listed as an extra while on the "Season 6" set it is included as one of the main episodes on DISC ONE. Also note "Bubble Bobble" and "Contra Memories" are on the bonus features disc of "Season 6" but they are considered "bonus episodes" on the "Volume 6" set.
Packaging
Both releases have differing artwork, done by Cinemassacre's Mike Matei. The re-released season sets 1-8 and season 9 have continuous spines which if lined up create the full artwork, similar to that of "Dragon Ball" comics, Oscilloscope Laboratories DVDs, and the “Star Trek” I-VI VHS boxset. 
Overall
"The Angry Video Game Nerd: Season 6" has some issues with the new progressive video transfers with the non-as-sharp image and the very minute cropping of some episodes. The reissue also loses some extras but gains an extended interview, so it's give or take which release is the better one. The older DVDs are out of print and harder to come by, so for fans wanting a physical media release on DVD the reissued "Season 6" set is still recommended for hours of anger filled retro gaming fun.
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