A featured series on LadiesGamers.com: Memory Museum. Our earliest gaming memories to the backdrop of what was happening in our personal life. Plus, what was happening in the gaming world back then!
It’s the year 1996. Nintendo releases Pokemon Red and Green on GameBoy, Super Mario RPG on the SNES and the first 3D Mario Kart 64 on the N64. Bandai brought the first Tamagotchi on the market. The year also saw a major shakeup in the crowded home console market, with the Virtual Boy, Atari Jaguar, 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, Sega CD, 32X, and CD-i all being discontinued.
Over in the UK, Ben plays his first game: the beginning of a lifetime of gaming.
Gamechanger: Super Smash Bros. Melee
As soon as Yvo asked me this question, my mind was flooded by a number of thoughts and memories. You see, I’ve been playing video games for as long as I can remember. From fuzzy memories of the original Sonic The Hedgehog to my most recent, emotional adventure with Sora and the Disney crew in Kingdom Hearts 3. When I think about the most impactful moments of my gaming career, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster.
One moment that I can’t ignore, has to be when I was introduced to Super Smash Bros. Melee. I had passively been enjoying Nintendo thanks to Pokémon on Game Boy and the Sonic games released on the Game Cube. But when a friend convinced me to give the wacky fighter a whirl I was thrown deep into an adoration for the incredible variety of Nintendo’s IP. As well as being an amazing game way back when, Melee still continues to be relevant today due to its extremely loyal and dedicated fans. But to me it will remain the nexus point that brought Mario, Zelda, Metroid and Earthbound into my life. It also cemented me as a loyal Nintendo gamer which also later gifted me Animal Crossing, Splatoon and the constant imaginative ways Nintendo invites us to play games.
The DS Phat: much loved
That ties me very nicely into my next memory, and that would be getting my DS. Ah yes, my beloved baby blue DS that still has a very stylish Sonic decal from one of my Nintendo magazines and the touchscreen scars of 1,000’s of cherished hours. I remember unwrapping it very excitedly one Christmas, after months of hype from my Nintendo Official Magazine subscription. Knowing that I was about to experience the many unique and novel ways Nintendo had decided we should play. The Wii, 3DS, Wii U and Switch kept this magic alive well through the years, but I’ll never forget talking to and petting my Nintendog many moons ago for the first time. My – affectionately named – DS phat also introduced me to Professor Layton, a fast favourite charming puzzle adventure. I’m a big advocate of him coming to Smash Bros. as an unconventional fighter with gentlemanly conduct.
The Twilight Princess on Wii
Like the DS, I also witnessed the reveal, run up and release of the Wii. I’ll never forget that little disappointment I felt once it dropped its Revolution codename. But the most important moment in the Wii’s history to me however is when myself and a close friend actually got to try it before it released. During a national tour, it stopped by our mall where they set up a virtual bedroom for us to try Wii Sports, Wii Play and most importantly for me, Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess. A quick bowling session was enough to light my desire to own the console, but playing Zelda was a monumental moment for me. This gritty, realistic interpretation of the famous formula sucked me in immediately. It was my first Zelda game, and getting to actually physically swing a sword hooked me instantly.
I counted the days until Christmas, hoping my Mum would grant me my Christmas wish. Though Christmas only brought me the console, one fun Wii Sports day later and I was off to town to purchase it at last. I got home and it was still morning, I headed straight upstairs and didn’t come down until late evening. The next day I barely left my room… 16 hours! Still one of my bests in game sessions. My induction into the Zelda franchise was a roaring success, and Twilight Princess remains one of my favourite games of all times.
Finding internet pals
I would like to conclude with probably the most important thing games have brought me. The most significant impact that games have had on me is that they’ve drawn in so many amazing people and allowed me to share so many unforgettable memories. From school friends & local gaming fans to my lovely wife. Games have gifted me an immeasurable amount of wonderful moments. I still hold dear the times I had with Mario Kart Wii and Animal Crossing with Evriun, Jonah, and our other internet pals. To me, gaming remains the gift that keeps on giving. I look forward to the further impact it will no doubt make on me in the future.
LOVE that Sonic sticker!