Nick Offerman Hasn't Played a Video Game in 25 Years
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Nick Offerman may have starred in the best new video game adaptation on television, but the actor wouldn’t necessarily call himself a gamer. Building his career on sitcoms like Parks and Recreation, the man is a grizzled, outdoorsy craftsman—which made him perfect for the post-apocalyptic survivalist he played in The Last of Us’s third episode. Hell, Offerman even has a side gig as a professional boat builder and scotch enthusiast. He walks the walk, so forgive him if he hasn’t picked up a video game controller in 25 years.
In a late-night interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Offerman revealed that he hasn’t played a video game since 1998. “25 years ago, I played my last video game and I’m very indulgent. I lost a couple of weeks to a video game called Banjo-Kazooie,” he said. “Two weeks went by and, you know, I was like, Oh my god, the slow dopamine drip is so delicious. Then it’s over and you’re like, Yes, I won! And immediately, I’m like, What have I done with my life? I decided I’m never going to do that again. Thankfully—because games have gotten so good, like The Last of Us—that I think I’d be in a basement, and I wouldn’t even be going to audition for shows like this.” He also joked about how well his Parks & Rec character, Ron Swanson, would survive the mushroom zombie apocalypse.
Of all the games to pick, I’d say Banjo-Kazooie is a pretty strong, on-brand pick for Offerman. Inspired by Super Mario 64 and Donkey Kong Country 2, Banjo is a brown honey bear who must save his sister from an evil witch. He travels with a bird named Kazooie, plays country jangles, eats honey to regain his health, and collects things like Wellington boots and creatures called “Jinjos.” If the Mario movie takes off, maybe we could even see Banjo on the big screen sometime soon. Until then, we’ll just have to soldier on through The Last of Us without Episode Three’s perfect, doomsday couple.
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