If you’ve been on the internet long enough, you’ve probably seen the video of the kid who screamed with extreme joy after receiving a Nintendo 64 for Christmas in 1998.
That video popped up in one of my feeds again recently, and it reminded me that all of my most-memorable Christmases were the ones where video games were involved. Whether it was getting a new Sega Genesis that I had to wait a week to play because I was grounded, or hearing the magnificent chords of the Playstation 1 startup sound for the first time, it was always exciting to anticipate what Christmas had in the cards for my gamer self.
The very first time I received anything video game related was when I was 5 or 6 six years old. Every kid DREAMED of the moment they’d wake up to find Santa had left them a Nintendo Entertainment System.
Back then Super Mario Bros. came with the console, but my parents also decided to get my sister and me a few more games: Double Dragon, Gauntlet, and Dragon Spirit.
Many Christmases have come and gone since then, and my days of unwrapping games from under the Christmas tree are over. I mean, I am grown now and can buy video games any time I want. But this time of year always has me thinking about how my love of video games was instantly established on that Christmas morning decades ago, and the spirit of gaming has followed me well into adulthood. And a lot of those games are also still physically with me to this day.
One of my sisters and her husband are also gamers, and it’s been cool watching them pass their love of gaming onto their children. There eventually came a day when I stopped playing with toys, trading in my action figures for a plate full of adult responsiblities.
However, video games have never faded from my existence. Not a day goes by where I’m not either playing them or watching others play. There’s too many wonderful memories tied to a medium that’s often shown up for me in ways that people sometimes aren’t able to.
There’s plenty of folks who don’t get it, and it’s not my job explain it to them. I’m not interested in “growing up” when it comes to this, and I never will be. At this point, video games are forever in my DNA.
Thanks to each of you for contributing to this holiday letter. You each chose something personal to contribute. The schnauzer–and people–pics are adorable, and this piece about gaming comes across as so heartfelt. Happy holidays to you all!
Hello Bob & Sheri Team,
Thanks to each of you for contributing to this holiday letter. You each chose something personal to contribute. The schnauzer–and people–pics are adorable, and this piece about gaming comes across as so heartfelt.
Happy holidays to you all!
I have an original NES in the attic. I was (in the words of Lamar) ‘a grown ass man’ when I bought it. Think I’m going to bring it down and play with it….
Appreciate the inspiration Doc!!
Doc, you do you. You have done a great job. That’s the joy of living alone. Eat in bed if you like, but no crumbs. Merry Christmas