There is a lot of hate going around at the moment for Nintendo, in fact, it has been going around for a while and the question that I get asked the most is “Why do you like them so much?” My answer is simple. Without Nintendo I do not believe I would be the gamer I am today and I do not think I would have picked up a controller.

Back in my Day

I remember very clearly the day that I received my first ever gaming console, my parents purchased me the Nintendo 64 which came bundled with 007 Goldeneye. Yes, it wasn’t exactly the game you gave a six-year-old but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Soon after I delved into the world of Link in Zelda: Ocarina of Time, followed by Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64, and Pokemon Snap.The list is endless and I have been buying and asking for games, consoles, and merchandise ever since.

Along the way, I have managed to get a GameBoy Colour, the purple transparent version, with Pokemon being the game of choice. Blue, Yellow and red, I played them all day long and the fact I could walk around and take my virtual battles and adventures with me blew my mind. With all these amazing gadgets at my fingertips and a good few years of pleasant gaming, it was no surprise that I eventually moved on to bigger and greater things with the PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2 and now I have my very own gaming PC.

Still Playing Mario

While most peoples love for the Nintendo brand ended soon after finding new loves in others, mine has continued all these years. Now in my twenties I still occasionally play Nintendo games, but why you ask? Because without Nintendo I don’t think I would be in the position I am now. Playing hours upon hours of Mario and Zelda made me enjoy video games and the industry as a whole. It made me keep on coming back for more.

Playing Nintendo games takes me back to my childhood, those happy days of playing with friends. The days when achievements and trophies were purely based on the accomplishments you made. There’s no effort involved in the majority of Nintendo games today and anyone can pick up a controller to play. It’s the type of gaming that just makes me happy.

Nintendo has never strayed far from its core users and for that I’m thankful.