MEGA64 VERSION 1 Episode 1: "Life Inside A Console" (Patreon)

Mega64 Version 1: Episode 01: "Life Inside A Console," 2003 (Episode produced in 2003, intended for air on San Diego public access that summer, but held back for "Mega64 Version 1" DVD released in November 2004).

Written/Directed by Derrick Acosta, Rocco Botte

The first episode. In the not too distant future, the sinister Dr. Poque reveals his twisted plan to unleash the most powerful video game console on an unsuspecting world. Fired from one of the most esteemed game development companies, Poque secretly builds a beta-testing dungeon beneath his apartment, and with the help of kidnapped test subjects Rocko and Derek, begins to test this most unpredictable machine that makes video games real in your mind.

PRODUCTION NOTES:

-The Super Mario Bros. segment of this episode was the first thing ever filmed specifically for Mega64.

-When Mega64 got a DVD distribution deal, and there was no longer a 28 minute runtime requirement as per public access rules, a "final cut" of the episode (seen here) was made to make it more high-energy and better paced. The original cut, thought to be slow and somewhat awkward, was seen for the first time in 2019's "Mega64 Begins" VHS release.

-Shot entirely on Sony DCR-TRV18E camera purchased at Sears in 2002.

-The first public screening of this episode was at "Gooncon 2004" in Las Vegas; after countless technical difficulties, the episode's pudding scene played to a house of full blown booing, which led to parts of the episode being fast-forwarded in what was considered to be a "disaster." It was advised to remove the pudding scene by attendees and the distributor- Mega64 refused and the scene stayed intact.

NEXT TIME: The Mega64, infected with a menacing virus? And who are these other dwellers within the apartment? We go deeper inside the Mega64's worlds in episode 2, "I Feel Asleep!"