Can some older and retro console gamers elaborate more on what it used to be like to really be dedicated to video games? Anything is fine, but also specifically some things I have heard of and still wonder about:

• Getting your TV and all the connections to work right, especially since there weren't as many in/out ports.
• Maintaining your system and all its games and accessories, since they probably weren't easy to replace. On the other hand, they were probably easier to disassemble if you wanted to work on it yourself
• Was there more or less platform-exclusive content back then, and how did that impact your choice of console to buy? In general, were the systems and gear relatively cheaper or more expensive than now?
• Finding out about new games and news. For example having to go to an electronics store if you wanted to play any demos, or having a magazine subscription to hear about new stuff coming out.
• What exactly where the Official Secret Tip Lines and how did they work? I came across an old manual where it said you could call in for automated hints at one rate, or pay extra to talk to a real person who could give you some super secret info.
• Cheat codes and easter eggs in general? How often they were around, how important they were, and the different ways people would be creative with them then compared to now.
• I've heard of people talking about having to draw out their maps with pencil and paper as they played, and mark any secrets or important locations. What other ways could you supplement your game with out-of-game elements, and how necessary was it?
• The progression of controllers to have more buttons, sticks, and other neat stuff modern controllers have, for example how once upon a time the Start button meant something besides just pause, and Select was important too.
• Getting together to play multiplayer games (didn't they used to only be 2 players?) or letting friends borrow your titles now and then. I've also heard about times when arcade games were superior to many console versions, so when that started changing how did people's attitudes about playing together change?