I Got a Gaming Console in My Youth From Santa!

Ahh, Christmas is a time of good memories for many people worldwide. As we approach this year’s day of gift-giving, I’d like to talk about a good memory of mine. It was 1998, and I was ten years old. I got a gaming console in my youth from Santa! I was already an avid gamer as I was lucky enough to grow up with an older brother who had an NES and a SNES. But I had never owned my own console or games, as they were expensive. But I had asked for something very specific for Christmas from Santa.

Enter The Game Boy Color

It was a handheld, and it had color! Which at the time was a big deal compared to the original Game Boy’s green and black. It was the first console I ever owned and was my first handheld. This was exciting because being able to play games in the car or at family get-togethers was perfect for my young introverted self.

Having portable games represented a lot of freedom to a 10-year-old. I didn’t need to hog the television and could play video games anywhere. Well, as long as I had plenty of batteries, that is. And not only did I receive a Game Boy Color for Christmas, but I also received a game that I still go back to and sometimes play to this day.

What’s that game?!

It’s Pokémon!, specifically Pokémon Blue. It was an RPG, a collection game, and a puzzle game, and I could connect with friends to trade and battle. As a 10-year-old, nothing could have been better. I’m pretty sure I had beaten the game by the end of the next day. I just would not put it down.

Everything was exciting, from picking my Squirtle starter Pokémon to fighting the elite four. I remember being so excited to catch a Pidgey, and I took that bird all the way through the game with me. And when I found out about my favourite Pokémon, which is Vaporeon, it replaced my Squirtle as my water Pokémon (Sorry, Squirtle). The memories of my first playthrough are special to me.

I’ve fallen in and out of love with Pokémon throughout the years. And I even do a podcast with friends about it now. So many games have come and gone, and I even skipped a few generations that I have now gone back and played. But Pokémon Blue sparked it all.

It Amazing What Video Games Did For Me As A Kid

I wasn’t really athletic, and I was awkward. Especially when puberty hit. Which is rough for all kids, but especially rough for a young transgender girl who didn’t know the words for what she was feeling. I was already bullied heavily, and my only retreats were books and video games. Especially my game boy color and my copy of Pokémon Blue.

But not everything was bad, as video games were also a way for me to connect with people. They are honestly a big part of my social life today. I made lifelong friends by playing Pokémon or other video games.

I am honestly glad my love for Pokémon returned in my twenties and has never left since then. If it wasn’t for my first console and the game that came with it for Christmas in 1998, I might not have made many of the connections I have today.

I know I derailed the topic around how I got a gaming console in my youth from Santa. But the magic was the handheld console and the game that year. One couldn’t exist without the other. I hope you all have a magical holiday this year.