by MJ Dark
My Gaming Origin Story
My journey into the world of gaming began in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY, when I was just seven years old. After school, I would often stay at my babysitter’s apartment, and one particular day, my mom was running late to pick me up. As I wandered into their living room, I saw something that would change my life—a curious device held by their older brother, which I would soon learn was a controller, and on the TV, screen was a ninja. He noticed my interest and asked, “Do you want to play?” I eagerly took the controller from him and was introduced to my first console, the Sega Master System. The game was none other than the iconic *Shinobi*. That moment marked the beginning of my lifelong passion for gaming.
My First Console
Like many, I grew up in a poor family, and I remember asking my dad for a Sega Master System, which cost around $200 back in 1989. Fortunately, my babysitter, knowing how much I enjoyed playing it at their house, sold it to my dad for $100. My family all pitched in to get it for me. Thanks to my mom, who wanted to keep me home and safe in our tough neighborhood, I was able to stay away from the drugs and violence that claimed so many other kids. I remember playing Shinobi, Rocky, Spy vs Spy and Alex Kidd, as they came with the console that they sold us.
The Wonder Years
Like many others, I owned an NES, SNES, Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, Atari Lynx, Sega CD, and many other classic consoles. I was fortunate to have friends and cousins with whom I could trade or lend consoles and games. In those days, the original “Game Pass” was me renting games from my local video store or Blockbuster. I used to love hiding the game box upon returning it so that my save wouldn’t be overwritten, allowing me to rent it again at the end of the week when I got my allowance. Like many gamers, I mostly stuck to the hits, as gaming was expensive and I only had enough to play those top-tier titles, or the “greatest hits” as we liked to call them—the “bangers.” However, I did take some risks that I don’t regret, such as being introduced to Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear, Square soft’s Final Fantasy 3 (known as FF6 in Japan) (Best FF game ever made), and the iconic Mega Man. These games became monumental experiences for me, a part of my personal Mount Rushmore of gaming. Outside of these, I didn’t often venture into lesser-known titles or indies (as they weren’t called that back then), because when games cost $65-$80 in the ’90s, one bad pick could leave me with a real stinker. Of course, that changed later on as I got a job at Software ETC. (GameStop), and since I could borrow games and had a job, I could now try more games and be introduce to new experiences.
Gaming in my 40’s
I am 44 years old and a proud father of two. Reflecting on my gaming history, I’ve played countless games over the years. One thing that has always stood out is my commitment to finding ways to integrate gaming into my lifestyle. Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of rediscovering my older consoles and exploring games that I overlooked back in the day. I’ve started playing some of these games, and while many of them might score between 5 and 6 on a scale from 1 to 10 (with some even rated as low as 2 or 3), I’ve found enjoyment in revisiting these hidden gems. I believe what has changed for me is that I no longer let scores dictate my gaming choices. Instead, I play what interests me and form my own opinions about my gaming experiences. That doesn’t mean I ignore reviews altogether; I still seek out reviewers who share my taste in games and pay attention to their insights. Importantly, I read and listen to reviews thoroughly rather than just scrolling to the score at the bottom. This approach helps me make more informed decisions, especially for games I’m unsure about and might want to revisit later. I have stopped letting a number dictate what I like and because of that I have discovered amazing games like
Gaming Beyond the Box
While I still own and cherish my gaming consoles, the PC has become my primary platform. This is mainly because it offers the flexibility to adapt to my gaming habits and preferences. On a PC, I can game wherever and however I want. The advent of PC handhelds has been a game-changer for me. As a collector of both PC handhelds and handheld gaming devices in general, I love the convenience of being able to continue my gameplay from my main PC in my game room to any of my handhelds with ease. I have used Geforce Now, Stadia, Xbox Cloud gaming, Luna and PS Now, because I want to have as much access to my games as possible. Not only has the hardware I use for gaming evolved, but so has my taste in games.
While I still enjoy big AAA titles, I’ve found new genres and experiences that align with my current interests. Indie games have significantly shaped my current gaming lifestyle. These games, developed by small teams, often revive the spirit of the classics I adored as a child. As a busy parent, I find that the concise and engaging experiences offered by indie games perfectly fit my lifestyle. I highly recommend giving these smaller titles a try; you might be surprised by the incredible quality and creativity they offer. What’s more, you don’t need to invest 100-200 hours to have a great time. Indie games are also a breeding ground for innovation and fresh ideas, which are sometimes lacking in the larger Triple-A titles. My personal advice to gamers: don’t let the logo or the name of the company stop you from enjoying games. Gaming has become so accessible now, and you might discover genres and experiences you never thought you’d enjoy. I love the current state of gaming and its potential future, where we’re no longer confined by physical boxes but have access to a buffet of incredible games and experiences from countless talented studios and developers, just a power button and controller away. For me, gaming is a way to relax and escape the daily grind after handling my adult responsibilities. I hope to continue gaming into my twilight years, and I’m excited to see how the industry evolves.
