Hi there! I’m Mike Mertes, the Executive Director of the Retro Access Museum. I wanted to take a few moments to introduce myself and give you a little of my own insight as to why I wanted to start the Retro Access Museum in the first place.

My first experiences with video games starts in the early 1980s with the Intellivison game console along with the Commodore 64 computer. I have a very hazy memory of trying to figure out how to use the Intellivision’s number pad controller to get my boxer to throw punches in “Boxing” on a weekend night as my parents entertained guests. A much clearer recollection is playing Advanced Dungeons & Dragons on the same console and hearing the terrifying digital sounds of snakes and other creatures as they lurked around corners, eager to pounce on a young and inexperienced gamer.

Boxing (1981) – Intellivision

A few years later, I would be introduced to the Nintendo Entertainment System as it was given to me as a gift for my birthday. The NES would become my automatic “go-to” device for years to come, causing me to ditch my collection Matchbox toy cars and instead commence my adventures with Mario, Link, Samus, Solid Snake and Simon Belmont. I had played Super Mario Bros on the NES at my Aunt’s house and believe my parents realized that those first few minutes with the game brought me a lot of joy. I can still recall the first two games we rented after getting the console: Double Dragon, followed by Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest. I was addicted with the game play and very much so the music of both titles. As the years progressed, so did my deep dive into the NES game library; as well as my love for video games. My passion for games continued beyond the 8-bit era and continued to the 16, 32, 64, 128 console generations and beyond.

Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest (1988) – Nintendo Entertainment System

As I approached my forties, I came to the conclusion that video games had not only provided me with an outlet of entertainment, but also one of education. I also came to the realization that the cost to experience these games the way that I had once played them is very prohibitive to so many people today. While the option for emulation and remasters is a avenue to play games, so many aspects of the original experience are lost. These and many other factors have led me to this decision to open a museum. My goal for the Retro Access Museum is to give visitors the opportunity to have that original experience and then some.

I have so much more to say, but for now: Please look forward to the museum and I appreciate your support in advance.

Game On,

Mike Mertes