In 1991, a small blue hedgehog in red sneakers launched a cultural revolution. But the story of Sonic—and the rise and fall of Sega—isn’t just about pixels and processors. It’s about loyalty, rebellion, and the strange way that consumer technology becomes a reflection of who we are.
This week on Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan sits down with Danny Brown—host of Five Random Questions and Head of Podcast Support and Experience at Captivate—to talk about the Great Console War: Sega versus Nintendo. It’s a conversation that ricochets between nostalgia and insight, from Michael Jackson-inspired character design to why Mortal Kombat forced the U.S. Senate to care about pixelated spleens. Along the way, they explore how companies adapt to extinction-level threats (1940s slot machines, anyone?), the absence of queer and diverse representation in early games, and the weird social currency of being the kid with the good console. Danny isn’t just a Sega loyalist—he’s a walking reminder that the fight for market dominance is always a proxy battle for identity.
And here’s the twist: Mandy, a self-professed non-gamer, brings just enough outsider perspective to make us question why we play at all. What do we escape when we mash buttons? What do we reveal? What do we remember?
Sometimes the nerdiest things turn out to be the most human.
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What is Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan?
Hey folks. Mandy Kaplan here. I’d like to share a bit about my intentions and mission for MMAN if you’ll indulge me. You will? Huzzah!
Look, I am a lot of things. I’m a writer, actress, mother, and lover of musicals and cats, but NOT Cats, The Musical. Give me a little bit of credit, would ya? So...throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded (and intrigued) by all things nerd. A sister who plays D&D, a Star Wars-obsessed husband, friends who love anime, comic books, video games, and...well, you get the picture. Somehow, I have always held it all at arm's length. Not to get too deep, but maybe I never thought I was smart enough to follow it. Or maybe I have control issues and have never been able to embrace fantastical things like dragons and time travel. Until now!
So, with an open mind and heart, I am ready to join this massive (and beautifully inclusive) club and GEEK THE #%$ OUT! It’s time for all my wonderfully strange friends to baptize me into NERD-DOM. Please join me on this journey. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover or remember a side of yourself along the way. Or at least make fun of me as I try!