It’s not every day that a known gamer frequents The White House, but that may soon change if current Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz takes office. While former President Barack Obama famously brought a Nintendo Wii with him to the White House, Walz’s gaming habits are a bit more obscure. Reports suggest that he is a fan of the Sega Dreamcast, a console known for its unique library of games.
The revelation about Walz’s gaming preferences came to light in an article in The New York Times, where a former student of Walz’s recalled a story about his wife confiscating his Dreamcast due to excessive playing. This sparked speculation about which game had captured Walz’s attention. Was it Sega Bass Fishing, Sega Sports NFL 2K, or something more niche like Shenmue or Skies of Arcadia? The mystery surrounding Walz’s gaming habits piqued the interest of gamers and journalists alike.
One member of the gaming forum ResetEra, Bryn Tanner, revealed that he had purchased Walz’s old Dreamcast from a former high school student who worked on his campaign. Tanner shared that the console came with accessories but no games, prompting him to buy a copy of Crazy Taxi for $4 at a pawn shop. This discovery shed light on Walz’s potential gaming preferences and sparked further investigation into his gaming history.
Further digging led to Tom Johnson, a former campaign intern for Walz, who shared insights into the Dreamcast’s origins. Walz had brought the console to the campaign office, where it remained largely unused. Johnson, a member of the „Nerd Herd“ at Mankato West, a group of gamers and tech enthusiasts, recalled a copy of Crazy Taxi being present in the Dreamcast when he took it with him to college. This detail hinted at Walz’s possible affinity for the arcade-style driving game.
While the exact games Walz played on the Dreamcast remain a mystery, the presence of Crazy Taxi in the console suggests a fondness for the quirky title. As speculation continues about Walz’s gaming habits, one thing is clear – his brief interaction with the Dreamcast sets him apart as a potential gamer vice president. With the possibility of Crazy Taxi getting an open-world reboot, the game may find its way into the White House if Walz assumes office.
In conclusion, Gov. Tim Walz’s connection to the Sega Dreamcast and the game Crazy Taxi adds an intriguing layer to his public persona. As the political landscape evolves, the intersection of gaming and politics becomes increasingly relevant. Whether Walz becomes the next vice president or not, his gaming history serves as a reminder of the diverse interests and experiences that shape our leaders.