Thanks to everyone for their continued support! contricodeDanny Some links: ➡Books, stickers, pins, and other merch @ultimatenintendo.com ➡Twitter: twitter.com/patthenespunk ➡Twitch channel: twitch.tv/contricode ➡Insta: instagram.com/contricode ➡Patreon: patreon.com/patcontri ➡Listen to #CUPodcast: anchor.fm/thecupodcast ➡NES app: android.ultimatenes.com and ios.ultimatenes.com

When I was much younger, I met you at MagFest and you signed my MegaMan 2 cartridge while riding the escalator! I'm sure you don't remember, but it was such an amazing moment for me. I always loved your videos back then. And now, years later, you've even talked about the games I've made on your podcast! (like Return to Castle Monkey Ball). Who knows how my passion for gaming, and eventually game development, would have changed if not for the retro gaming community and people like you to entertain us all. Thanks so much!

I quit my job almost 12 years ago and completely started over. It was the best thing I ever did. It made me realize that I needed to be happy no matter what. We're around the same age so I can relate to many aspects of your life. Glad you've found happiness.

I watch constantly but hardly ever comment on the videos. But I gotta say this was the best video in years. Super authentic, and 100% real. Great stuff my friend I can see you are incredibly grateful to the fans.

Congrats on 10 years being a full-time KZfaqr! And well done on not going insane 😃 it's gratifying to hear the hardest work/ biggest sacrifice you've made (creating the book) opened more doors for you! A winner is you 💚

Pat - I'm your age. 10 years ago I made a career change as well. It was scary even though I too was financially okay at the time. Looking back it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I went from a career which gleefully overworked, underpaid, and under appreciated people to one where the exact opposite happens. Congratulations Pat. Here's to another 10 years.

Time flies. It feels like I have only been watching for a few years, but I know I was watching before the CU podcast even started. Its always been great. The videos, meeting you and Ian many times, the CU Podcast, carrying your books in our store, and everything else. Thank you for the laughs and entertainment for all these years :)

It’s shitty the way workers are treated and farmed in America. I’m glad you got out of that environment. It makes me happy whenever I see others escape toxic work environments and finally begin to work the careers they want AND need. We only live once, and work is essential but should never take full-control of your life. Congrats Pat.

These videos really help people like myself pat. I'm currently at a crossroads in my life and its just nice to listen and see how others coped during those times of uncertainty. Cheers for making it

Hey Pat. Happy anniversary! Your experience in the corporate world is incredibly relatable. It's taken me about 3 years to get over the stress and feeling of insignificance that my last "proper" job inflicted upon me. It can be brutal out there. I'd also like to thank you for your contribution to Karl Jobst's exposé of Heritage Auctions and WATA Games. You're one of the good guys as far as I'm concerned. All the best.

Loved this video. It's so scary to leave a secure pay day for chasing your dreams. Well done my friend and the kids of the 80's love this!

The Punk episodes were one of things that got me into watching retro game content. I do miss the days when they came out more often but thanks for still doing them from time to time.

Great video! As a new content guy, this was really great information. I really appreciate your sincerity and transparency. Thank you!

Damn. Pat shirtless. You a stud, G!

Really helpful story. Thanks for sharing. Hearing your studied but unbothered honesty about your corporate years was cathartic.

You've been a huge inspiration to me for awhile and it's awesome to hear about your life over the years and how it's changed. I'm a couple years younger than you but always had such a fascination with the same kinds of things so it's been a great experience seeing you be able to pursue a lot of the stuff I never really had the talent or drive to pursue. Been following you for years and always look forward to everything you put out.

I’ve been watching you since you were under 2K subscribers and I’m still catching the new stuff and binging your old seasons. Thank you for all the years of happy videos and memories. One day I’ll be able to afford your reference books, but until then I will be right here watching ya!

Pat, I can say you along with HeyPoorPlayer literally changed my life. After my son died I was in a dark place (obviously). I started writing for HPP to kinda numb my brain and it kept me active by playing/reviewing video games. That year I attended Too Many Games and my EIC set up an interview with you that I was to conduct. I enjoyed our interview so much that I emailed you that night and asked you to keep me in mind if you ever decided to make a SNES Guidebook. I believe you got back to me that same night and asked for me to send you my work, which I did. I believe I sent you my Paperboy review for the Master System and you got back to me the next day and offered me a position on your staff of writers. Helping write that book and working with you, and Asheton, and the rest of the team kept my mind focused and really helped me mentally. Working on the N64 book has been an amazing ride too! So, yes. Without sounding too selfish, you made the right decision.

As someone who has dabbled in making their own content (separate account) it is sooo much harder than it looks. Wasn’t a fan when I first started following your content but I’ve come to appreciate all your content and now you’ve become one of the creators I listen to while I’m at work. Appreciate the hard work you’ve put in and thank you for pumping out content!

I really love these off the cuff videos. Fascinating journey you've been on so far and I'm glad to have been with you for a good portion of that ride.

Keep up the great work, Pat. I’ve been a fan for just about the last 10 years. You’ve given us a lot of great, unique entertainment.

Huh, youtube's algorithm is fascinating. I haven't watched your videos in YEARS, and I don't keep up with gaming content whatsoever nowadays, and yet this video popped up on my feed this morning. Very interesting to see a video from you and glad you are doing well!! I lived in El Cajon and I used to buy nintendo games from your buddy there. Cheers!

Thanx for all these years of cool vídeos. Cheers from Brazil.

Cheers man! Woke up this morning and saw this video on my feed. Made my day man. Glad to see genuine folks get theirs and have a good time doing it. Here's to many years to come!

That story is wholesome af. I’ve been inspired to quit my day job to join the circus. I can’t juggle, tame lions or do high risk acrobatics but I’ll find a way to make it happen. But I’m proud of Patrizio for succeeding when quitting his shitty corporate job and making it on his own

Awesome stuff. I just changed jobs a year ago and I have been so refreshed. Thanks for all you do for the community and look forward to all that is to come.

Love ya Pat. Thanks for the years of entertainment and human decency ❤️

Great Job Pat, you used your work ethic for your passion and have provided so much entertainment. Happy for your success and us fans are always looking forward to the next podcast and whatever projects you’re working on.

I started getting into your vids around late 2012 early 2013 and your podcast came at the perfect time when I needed something else to listen to on my long drives to my girlfriend (now wife) at the time. You two have become one of my favorite pods to listen to about retro focused topics.

Thanks for hashing all this out on camera and sharing it with us. I've been following your stuff for a good clip and it always brings me joy.

I miss the punk episodes

Thanks for sharing your creativity and interests with us here on yt. Congrats on all you accomplished since you made the move.

Awesome video Pat, really insightful...Great to hear the books have been so successful for you, definitely a great achievement. I'm in the UK and I have both books! Here's to another 10 years of you being a successful tuber in this niche sector. Well done 😉👍

This was the best one yet... Thank you for all the years and I hope to see ten more.

I met you thanks to AVGN. You're a great guy, Pat. I really admire people that make bold decisions on their lives to change everything for better. Leaving a toxic working environment is essential. Congrats and keep it up, man! Greetings from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Hey Pat, early fan here. Just wanted to let you know I still have that wrist-band all sealed up in my drawer. Got it with one of your early DVDs back then. Good memories and I will hold onto that wristband and keep it sealed until a really really hot day comes around! :-) Greetings and love from Germany

Pat, I was listening to your podcast back in 2013 while working on papers in the library late at night. Those were some of my favorite times. Thank you and Ian for being there whenever I needed it.

Love these storytime with Pat videos. I'd watch more in this format.

Thanks for sharing your story! Good luck in any and all future endeavors

I found your channel in 2013. Podcast listener since spring 2015, right after my son was born. I truly thank you and ian for 7 years. I still look forward to every episode

Congratulations on 10 years Pat, thank you, Ian and Frank for all the memories throughout the 10 years. I relied on the podcasts and NES Punk videos quite a bit through it the pandemic. Here's hoping for many more great times. Hopefully I see you at this year's Comic Con.

Loved the look back. I’ll be honest, I was obsessed with flea market madness and punk ten years ago when I was a kid but I fell off as CUP became the channels focus. After not seeing your videos for literal years, KZfaq recommended this to me and it’s been an absolute joy and walk down memory lane. Hoping the best for your future, Pat! You’ll always be one of my first KZfaq heros.

I love these little insights. I listen to the podcast but it's nice to hear you talk about these things. I'd love if you did more of these retrospectives, perhaps on the books like you said could take up a huge chunk of time.

Patrick - thank you for making this video. You truly are the man. MORE SEASIDE STORIES!

Man I was binge listening and the first few minutes of this video I was like: This is the longest Better Help advertisement I've ever heard. That said, congrats on your success.

Love you bro. Love you and Ian and both you guys have been part of my life since 2013, even before watching the pat the nes punk videos. You guys give me something to look forward to each week and I can’t even imagine life without the podcast. You two are legends and I very much appreciate everything y’all do.

This is very cool to see. I think I found you sometime in 2010, while I was finishing college, followed closely for a few years, fell off as life happened, listen to the podcast from time to time. This video hits perfect for me. Just today, I quit my job. I was not there for very long, but it was absolutely wrecking me. I have a part-time contract job lined up, but I'm definitely feeling a little hesitant and still a little shocked I went through with it. Hearing about what you've done in the past 10 years while also reminiscing about my own past 10 definitely makes my decision feel a bit better. Keep up the good work, cheers to 10 more and beyond.

Glad to have met you many times, and will continue to support what you do. Here's to another 10 years of great content!!

Pat, I've been a fan of yours since right around when you quit your job. I was in middle school at the time, and I'm about to finish my undergrad degree now. Glad you're still around and making videos and the podcast. Hopefully you're still here ten years from now.

Awesome story and it did work out for you. Glad it did. I long for the day where I can leave my job but this is inspiring.

If I remember correctly, I came around right before the Castle Contri move. I was hooked to the podcast once I discovered it, I don't listen nearly as much as I used to, but when somethings new and i wanna hear about it I always comeback to the podcast! Glad you stuck it out, you're living the American Dream. Thanks for all the content, definitely miss the Punk Vids. I still watch the old ones with Ian from time to time. Party on Wayne 🙂

Thank you for sharing, and please keep doing awesome things. 👍

This was a great video. Thanks for sharing! My wife is currently going through something similar to what you went through 10 years ago and is way too creative for the corporate world. I'm going to have her watch this video in the hopes it lifts her spirits!

You're a huge inspiration to us on our channel. If it wasn't for you and James making videos on here, then we wouldn't be making videos of our own. We still got the wristbands we bought from you and I got Vol. 4 of your DVDs when you visited Game-On Expo. Meeting you and Ian was really cool, also getting to hear Frank on the phone during one of the panels was awesome. You also gave me some good advice, that I still use to this day. So thanks Pat, we appreciate all the stuff you've done! -Nesto

Nice retrospect. Thanks for sharing!

I’m ordering my first Ultimate Nintendo book next week. I look forward to reading the SNES book the most. It defines my childhood. Congrats on all the success. I’ve been watching you for years. You earned everything you’ve received and more. Thank you for all the knowledge, great moments, and memories. Have a great day!

I've been watching your channel since you were in Jersey, I gotta say your content was always evolving and really entertaining. Your videos introduced me to sooo many things that are popular now, years before they became big. US Flee markets, NWC, NES marathons, PC Engine, Obscure NES gems, the Jersey shore and even living in California. And FRANK!

Great, great, GREAT video, Pat. Bravo.

I’m very proud of you Pat! You are an inspiration and my favorite KZfaqr! You have a goofball Sense of humor like me! Keep Up the great work bud!

Happy 4 U. Congrats on taking that risk and following your passion.

Rock on Pat. Love your videos and keep up the great work!

I’ve been riding with you since 2012 and I’ll be here in 2032 👴 Congrats 🎈🎊🍾🎉

I may not agree on some of the ways you and Ian talk about things, but on a human level I respect your view and message here. My favorite video you have ever done and thanks for sharing your experience. Be well

dam, i love the unedited keeping it real video. Good stuff pat, i got that wristband!!!! Good luck man glad your happy with your decisions.

This was a really cool video. It reminded me a lot of the Ian leaving Luna nostalgia vid. I’m really glad quitting your day job turned out to be a great decision; in many ways that’s the ultimate dream. Hope one day I can do the same lol. I’ll make sure to remember the exact date haha.

Thus Pat became a full time KZfaqr, great for you. Keep it up man.

Met you at PAX East a few years ago and you took the time to chat for a while. I was already a fan but I became a fan for life after that! Thanks for being cool Pat 🍻

Thank you so much along with Ian for all that you have done and continue to do. What an incredible journey.

Pat, I've been working 6 days a week 10 hr days for the past 4 weeks due to staffing shortages. Thanks for being one of my outlets.

I love these types of videos seeing behind the scenes and retrospectives on how it all got going. Thanks for the dedication to your audience!

This was a refreshing video, nice to hear you've been able to turn around being miserable at a job to doing what you want to do and make a living doing it. Came across your channel around 2015, been a fan ever since. Hope you, Ian, and Frank are doing well, and looking forward to more great stuff.

Dude it’s crazy how similar your situation is to so many others’ in America. We’re all overworked and under appreciated. I left my toxic career five years ago and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me

Thanks for putting this out, I love background stories like these about the creators I enjoy

Great, wholesome video. Love this, Pat. Thanks for sharing your journey and I'm privileged to know just a little of it.

I know this is an older video but I've been a long time fan. I enjoy your podcast and your flea market madness with Frank! I can relate to wanting to branch out of your job and move to something new. I'm around the same age you were when you left the day job you had! Glad you are thriving and in good health

4 yrs ago I was fired from a physically demanding warehouse job I had for 6 yrs. My body had broke down, I turned 30, and I was calling in too much cuz I physically couldn't hang anymore. It scared the shit outa me to be fired cuz I made decent money, had no other job lined up... also a pride thing.... Best thing that ever happened tho, cuz a few months later I was making more, working less, and overall happier. Been at the new job for 4 yrs now... I wish I would've been brave enough to walk away, but it took me being fired to realize there's more shit out there....

Thanks for sharing the story Pat. Also as many have said in the comments you are always extremely pleasant in person, met you a few times at Retro World Expo in CT. Like you said this is def a story that many share. The risk was definitely worth the reward and I truly enjoy all of your content and what you have given to the retro community. Been following your content since 2015, One of the true OGs. Look forward to what’s to come!

You put in so much work and are so humble about it. Mucho respect. The books are fantastic. See you at TMG next year.

I’m still so glad Pat is Pat. After all this time. Thank you.

Excellent video Pat. I’m glad you are enjoying what you do. The books are awesome. It did a awesome job and it looks great. Content is spot on and attention to detail was great. Keep up the great work and don’t stop until you are old and retired playing Stadium Events. Hope to meet you some day.

I’m getting old, I remember your videos from like 2012. Good to see you still at it

You and Ian are awesome. Love you guys! Congratulations on the anniversary.

I saw you pop up randomly. I remember you from the Nerd. Great episode. I like your story.

Thanks for everything, Pat!

Hey pat thank you so much for this video man needed this. I currently not happy at my job. Im good at my job but its not something I like lol. So this sort of inspired me to make moves regardless whats going on. Thank you for the entertainment videos you have given me and others been watching your videos since 2008 wild

You probably get this a lot, but man you were a big influence in my formative years. I watched all your stuff as a young teen and I've been checking up every once in a while ever since, going strong for a good 10 years now I realise I've been seeing your stuff for almost half my life now, which is crazy. I hope you have many many more good years ahead as a creator and hopefully we'll see a "I quit my job 20 years ago" 10 years from now, I'm already looking forward to it! Thanks, Pat.

The right decision brother, entertaining video as always.

Great video. It's going to be a sad day when the final of episode of "Flea Market Madness" is edited and published. I really look forward to that show - even when you find nothing at all. Regardless, thanks for providing us with years of entertainment. Wishing you lots of success in the future.

Pat - I’m happy your life went the way you wanted it to after leaving your full-time desk job. I’ve been in a similar position for 7 years. I’ve always been afraid to just walk away and try something. It’s nice to see these types of stories to at least know what’s possible. I hate my job and hopefully I’ll summon the courage to say “I’m done” someday.

Great job man. Never been totally committed to your show but I'm really proud of ya. Keep up great work!

Damn. Not to take anything away from your experiences but that intro sounds so familiar in so many jobs even the one I currently work at.

I always enjoy seeing these types of personal videos from the content creators. It makes me appreciate all the work you put in to your videos a lot more. Hopefully I'll run into you at comic-con (I live in Chula Vista). Thanks for sharing Pat!

My addiction to gaming KZfaq and gaming podcasts started with you it's all your fault lol! Seriously though love your show and listening to backlog helped me through some bad times. Thanks for everything.

your the man Pat, love your honesty. Never stop

Nice video, keep up the good work.

I adored this video. It was very moving and resonated highly with me. Thank you for making it. 🧡

Can’t wait for the third book. Proud of you Pat, keep up the great work.

October last year I quit my supervisor role of 15 years. I went from running a multimillion dollar store to running a front desk at a vet clinic. I make considerably less but I've never been happier. Sometimes we have to start completely over for us to see what we truly need.

Pat you crack me up! Holding up your old work polos hahaha! I had that same white Nautica one :)

Been watching your stuff for about 7 years now. I met you at kobeys a few years back. You were nicer than you needed to be and I always appreciated that. I became a bigger fan that day!