Video Games aren't the Devil, my RPG told me so!

            Growing up there are usually significant events happening that shape who we are. One of my defining events was receiving a Nintendo in November of 1986. That’s right the FIRST Nintendo. It was a birthday present (that I had to share, but that’s OK, everyone should play Nintendo!) and it was much more than I ever expected. Being as poor as I was you never had the $200 or whatever it was that they cost in 1986.

            I was lucky enough to have my “Uncle” (Aunt) Rita. Rita was my Uncles second wife. She was the kind of aunt that was your friend. She was ruff and tuff, but always there for you. She was also the kind of aunt who wanted to make a good first impression I suppose. So she bought me my fabled Nintendo.

            I can’t tell you how happy I was. I’d seen them in Wal-Mart, and played on them there. The first time I played a Nintendo I played Castilvania. I got something like 500,000 points in about 10 minutes. My Mom was amazed. Nintendo was my system. When I unwrapped it I remember I expected clothes, I mean how could my aunt Rita ever know that I wanted a Nintendo more than anything else in the world. I still get a little choked up thinking about it when I unwrap it.

            The Nintendo actually taught me how to read more effectively. I struggled with reading most of my life. When the Role Playing Game was born it was a success and was adapted to video games. Nintendo was no exception to this phenomenon known as the RPG. It involved a lot of reading, which I was terrible at. I would ask my mom what something meant or what it said and she’d make me go look it up.

            With out the RPG I may have never really pushed myself to read or learn how to read properly. The Nintendo and the RPG was a sort of saving grace for me. Not only did it entertain me for hours upon hour, it also proved to be an educational tool.

            So there you have it kids, video games aren’t all bad. Uncle Rita, thank you so very much for my Nintendo. You inadvertently helped shape my very being by buying me a simple Nintendo. To this day I play video games. They’re a very large part of my life and at times, define who I am.

I am Nick, and I play video games.