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In 2018, Robert – known as Retro Rob – created a Facebook page to advertise his console modding services. The page is now a welcoming haven for anyone who enjoys classic games boasting over 9,200 followers and counting. With as much drama as the gaming scene has experienced lately, it’s a breath of fresh air to come across such a relaxed and community-focused figure. Let’s take a moment a to chat with Rob and see what he’s up to.
Tell us a little about your background.
Well I served 20 years in the Air Force and have been retired almost two years now. While I was in I started modding Gameboy handhelds and was selling them at first as a hobby but then it kind of took off. I started my page in Feb of 2018 to mostly show my work.
What type of modding do you specialize in?
I was modding the original Gameboy and Gameboy Advance so those were definitely my specialty, I could do some minor system repair work Nintendo and Sega consoles as well. Most repair stuff though I never charged usually especially if it was easy, I wasn’t really into this to make money.
Do you have a favorite project that you’ve worked on?
I’ll have to defer to the cliche answer in that all of them were my favorites, each one was made specifically for that person and to know they were happy with that system and theme felt amazing!
What made you decide to adapt your Facebook page to be more community focused?
Well the modding scene blew up as I was getting rolling and there were way better people with way better equipment doing the unbelievable! I had to ask myself as a dad working out of his kitchen/dining room, is this something I can compete with? Plus I had a full time job, I wasn’t sure what to do with the page and my reach was poor so for a brief time I quit. Things did not sit well with me though and I started posting random things here and there but eventually the page took form until I finally had a focus to make it a community page, which really was only a couple of years ago.
What is it about the retro gaming community that keeps you so actively involved?
I think knowing/hoping a post about a game from the past….an old ad or something has made someone’s day better is something for sure that keeps me actively involved, that and just keeping retro games alive so newer generations can see what the past was like.
All time favorite video game?
I was just in a video on YouTube where I talked about this, it will always be Batman for the Nintendo Gameboy based on the 1989 Batman movie.
What game have you put the most time into over the last year?
Honestly it’s been Hogwarts Legacy lol, I can’t stop playing it. Really looking forward to the new RoboCop game this Fall though!
What does the next year look like for Retro Rob?
Ummm that’s a loaded question lol, some days I just want to shut the whole page off like it was just an experiment but we shall see what the future holds. I’m scheduled for a few more podcasts and I will be in a few more YouTube videos. I also plan on attending a few expos as well, so I should be pretty busy!
Where should people go to follow you online?
I’ll include a pic for that
