Actor Nick Offerman has revealed that he hasn't played a video game in 25 years and blames Rare's N64 epic Banjo-Kazooie for putting him off gaming for good (thanks, VGC).
Offerman – who has starred in movies and TV shows such as 21 Jump Street, Parks and Recreation, The Lego Movie and (most recently) HBO's critically acclaimed adaptation of The Last of Us – made the revelation during his guest spot on a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Given the acclaim he has received for his incredible performance in The Last of Us, Offerman was asked if he played video games himself. "No," was his reply.
He added:
"25 years ago, I played my last video game. I’m very indulgent, and I lost a couple of weeks to a video game called Banjo-Kazooie. Two weeks went by, and 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?
And so I decided I’m never going to do that again – and 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."
That means that Offerman joins Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in confirming that they haven't played the original Last of Us video game, despite starring in the live-action series.
That doesn't seem to have impacted the fortunes of the show, which has already been renewed for a second season and is posting incredible viewing figures.