Christmas and Hanukkah are both over, which means people are probably still clearing their homes and refrigerators of all the festivities. (I know that.) But before you go back to playing with your new treats, My city has a question for you, dear reader: What was your favorite gift ever?
This can be anything gaming-related, from any year, so don’t limit it to just 2023. For example, my favorite gift was an Xbox 360, but to explain why, I have to tell a story. So pull up a chair, grab your coffee – or festive beverage of your choice – and relax as I talk about my late grandma and Christmas 2006.
Read more: I miss smashing War equipment One weekend with my best friend
I always had consoles growing up, but they were holdovers from much older siblings. Occasionally I would be the little one with the controller unplugged while my sister was playing games such as: B. played Jak and Daxter And Super Mario Bros. 3. At some point, as my sister – the only other gamer in the household – grew older and gave birth to children, she passed her unused consoles on to me. But I wanted something entirely my own. When Microsoft took the E3 stage in mid-May 2005 to talk in depth about the Xbox 360, I was completely thrilled. This little white box with its simple controller and diverse game selection was a must for me. Unfortunately, it was a little out of budget for my grandma, who had no interest in video games at all. I begged her in vain, resigning myself to the idea that if I did even better in school there was no way she could withhold my prize from me. I was right.
Fast forward a year to December 2006, and if I remember correctly, the price of the Xbox 360 had just dropped by maybe $50 to $100. “Perfect timing,” I thought, “she has to get it now.” So I wrote a Christmas list that included just three things: an Xbox 360, an extra controller, and a copy of the third-person shooter War equipment. I’ve even included the prices to make shopping as budget-friendly and easy as possible. My grandma played it off and dismissed my list as frivolous and expensive.
When Christmas Day came, my best friend and I were crushed by the thought of not playing games and were shocked to find exactly what I asked for under the plastic and steel Christmas tree. We should have been called Twin Jokers because our smiles reached from ear to ear. “Ecstatic” doesn’t even begin to explain the feeling. My best friend and I searched through the boxes, grabbed the console, game and controller, ran into my room, closed the door, plugged everything in and hit War equipment several times in a weekend. It was the best gaming gift I’ve ever received, one that set me on the path to where I am now.
My grandma is no longer with me. She passed away on July 13, 2022 at 3:33 a.m. PT. An angel number, they say. I am eternally grateful to her because without her I wouldn’t be me. I wouldn’t be here.
So, My city Dear readers, what was your favorite gaming-related gift? Do you also have a story about it? Let’s put on a little show and tell in the comments.
