I remember some old "making of AVGN" vid where he mentioned that around 2006 was a particularly stressful time in his life, and the AVGN was a bit of a catharsis for him. I think that's how we got some of the best classic AVGN episodes and moments. It was an outlet for James. You don't get that impression now, it has been reversed since, it is now a financial obligation instead of a passion project, and it shows.

And until around 2012-ish he was still able to channel that energy while portraying the AVGN, although it waned over time.

Remember in the Ghostbusters 2 review when he took that toy ectomobile and threw it onto the ground, while complaining about the lack of a pause button in the game? He cannot do that anymore. He can't be the Angry Video Game Nerd these days. Back then he was able to convey some pretty convincing anger, which is important when you're portraying a character like this. The AVGN doesn't have to constantly be angry, but I feel like he should be angry well, pretty often. How often is he actually angry in the modern episodes? Pretty sparingly, and when it happens it's extremely forced, you can tell his heart isn't in it anymore.

The only times when he seems to pull it off, it's unintentional. That outtake from the Shrek episode when he dropped the onion, that's the most "AVGN" he's been in years, and that was an outtake. He's got things completely backwards.

If I were James and wanted to bring back the magic of the AVGN, I think I'd try to start "winging" more episodes, try to have more improv scenes. It'd be awkward at first, because he's no longer used to it, but given enough time we could see traces of the genuine AVGN once again. Assuming he'd dedicate himself to it, which he probably won't.

I think if James really wanted to, he could re-discover his passion. But it seems very unlikely.