Sierra & The Golden Age of 'Big Box' PC Games - Complete In Box

Complete In Box is finally tackling a much-requested topic: The classic games of Sierra On-Line, one of the 80s’ and 90s’ most popular publishers of “big box” PC games. And to do it right, we teamed up with one of the best-known collectors of classic PC games, Metal Jesus.

Known as “Jason” to his friends, Metal Jesus runs a popular YouTube channel that’s home to lots of discussion about that wonderful era when PC games came in massive coffins of cardboard, the bigger the better. Jason even has some insider knowledge about this era, given that he worked for Sierra.

For our meet-up in Seattle’s famous Pink Gorilla retro games store, I knew I had to bring some games that would impress even the Metal Jesus himself. So I came prepared with my original editions of Sierra’s The Dark Crystal and King’s Quest. Jason brought his beautiful copy of the classic Space Quest III and a game that means a lot to him personally, Betrayal at Krondor.

As we go through each game in chronological order, we find out what made Sierra so special.

Complete In Box is Kotaku’s show taking a look back at old games through the lens of the box, the manual, and everything else it originally came with. Check back every Wednesday for the next month for more episodes.

[thatcriticvideo]

I could have watched another couple of hours of this.

[larscasteen]

In my old age, I've developed insane levels of nostalgia for these specific games

[nilusk]

Brings back so many memories. My first job was at a Babbage's at a time when half the store was dedicated to computer games. Shelves and Shelves of big box games.

[evilgeek]

Betrayal at Krondor was so great, I wish more people would discuss this game and the style would make a comeback.

[JayOnTheBay]

I just picked up a VGA Space Quest 4 yesterday! What a fantastic game.

[Jennn]

Omg Excellent Video, excellent share about Black Metal Jesus, ugh so fun!!!

[bigbuffguy]

Good video, and I'm glad he shouted out Betrayal at Krondor, which is one of the best RPGs I have ever played. I remember getting it for free with an issue of Computer Gaming World probably around 1996 or so, and that game changed the way I look at video games. Before that, I had never played a video game with a great story (I hadn't discovered the Final Fantasy series yet). Betrayal at Krondor was so well-written that the author of the series it's set in decided to adapt it into a novel. It also had an open world that wasn't overwhelming the way modern open-world games can be. And a terrific soundtrack and a novel battle system. It's definitely dated, but I recommend it to anyone looking for a great story in a great RPG.

[Sherminator]

I went absolute nuts for sierra games in the 80s

[mcren]

Kings Quest 8: Mask was an absolutely magical experience. I was so lost and immersed in that beautiful game. Truly wish gaming companies would start developing these types of games again. I cant even imagine what they could come up with with todays technology. Im hoping VR will bring that immersive experience again that games like Half Life, Kings Quest, etc..

[XSpImmaLion]

King's Quest was among the first PC games I've ever played... at a time I didn't even know much english to begin with. When my dad proposed that I type "Open the door" at the entrance of the castle I thought it was some kind of code. xD PC-XT, either a green monochrome monitor or a 4 color CGA.
Good times.

[fionn]

Betrayal at Krondor CD ROM had the most killer soundtrack at the time.

[KyleExplosion]

Gabriel Knight and Maniac Mansion bring back great memories for me. A simpler time.

[CallOfSaregnar]

Great video! Came here because of Betrayal at Krondor, an RPG that is surprisingly little talked about, despite it being one of the best ones out there.

[ArrestedDeveloper]

I'm so jealous of his big box PC collection. They're so hard to come by in my area.

[phodon]

I swear that thumbnail made me think this was an LGR video.

[Lil_Lobo]

These are are the only pixel games that I still feel nostalgia for

[kuronosan]

The real killer on my 486 as a kid was the person that set it up for my parents enabled full hard drive compression, so nothing worked without the doublespace driver.

[tapirman]

This is crazy interesting. Not just the stuff about the boxes but hearing about MS-Dos drivers and how they worked.

[lvxmagick]

Quest For Glory: Shadows Of Darkness Changed my life..!!

[ty-guy]

Still waiting for you to bring up Shivers II in the background, damn it!