I remember when I first got my Nintendo, in 1988, when I was nine years old. I was so excited, I thought I was literally going to jump out of my skin with the realization that I had an actual Nintendo Entertainment System in my very own home. On that Christmas day, my mom hooked up the NES to our 27-inch color TV, and from then on, I was hooked.
I remember how my sister, Angela, would press too hard down on the direction pad, therefore imprinting the arrow onto her thumb. I remember my Grandmother picking up the Zapper gun and shooting the ducks (and missing) in Duck Hunt. She would laugh hysterically and exclaim, "That goddamn dog!" I remember sneaking downstairs, when everyone was asleep, just to play a few levels of Super Mario Bros.
The years passed, and I was given a few more games on my birthday. They were all good, but I'll never forget how SMB felt when I played the first time. Eventually, my mom made me give my Nintendo to my Sister when she went off to college. Later on, I got a Sega Genesis. Sometimes, however, I would wax nostalgia over the SMB over-world theme.
Time passed some more, and I re-acquired a Nintendo again, this time December of last year. Finally, today, I sat down with me, myself, and I, and played Super Mario Bros. from beginning to end without warping. After I rescued the princess, I thought back to all those years and good times with my Nintendo, and my family.
They were good times, indeed.
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