30 Days of Gaming: Day 4

Day 4 - Favorite Gaming System

I used to say, "Anything by Nintendo!" and that was that.  It had all of the classics that shaped my gaming loves: Super Mario Bros, Dragon Warrior (Dragon Quest) and Bionic Commando soaked up hours of my life (after homework, of course) as I explored these worlds.  When the SNES came out, I got it as soon as possible and enjoyed the heck out of games like U.N. Squadron and Super Mario World.  Lastly, the N64 showed me that Mario could run around in 3D and still be amazing!  I also was introduced to other platformers and even FPSs thanks to Goldeneye.  

Super Mario Bros 3 and I made some fond memories with friends

Then came the watershed moment that changed everything.  Most people around my age remember watching the TV adverts for Final Fantasy VII.  I remember seeing it and my jaw thudding to the floor.  I had always enjoyed the JRPGs from Nintendo, so this was a natural move.  While the N64 had platformers, the PSX had Lara Croft and Cloud Strief.  These were more mature characters with more mature stories to tell.  I wasn't a kid anymore, and playing "kiddie" games wasn't cool (I'm sure you all remember those teenage years).  As such, Sony swiftly replaced Nintendo in my heart.  I haven't looked back since.  

This blew my mind

While I was getting the PS2 a few months after launch, I never owned a GameCube.  I picked up my workhorse PS3 about 4 months after launch, and it still gets turned on almost daily.  My Wii was an afterthought, and mostly for Wii Fit (until Skyward Sword and now Xenoblade Chronicles).  I still play kid games on occasion because they can be fun, and having a little one of my own means that I'll be dusting off the old NES as she gets older and introducing her to my old flame.

These adverts were what sold me on the PSX

I do have all the systems (yay for not having to take sides!), but my Sony consoles are the ones that get the most use.  They showed how technology advancements would shape the hobby I love and while Nintendo owned my childhood, Playstation owns my adult life.

Hello, my love.