Sometime in the seventies, I vaguely remember my mother taking me to visit one of her friends. When we arrived at the house, I was led into the living room to play with her son of a similar age. While the adults chatted in the kitchen, I was introduced to one of my long on and off hobbies, playing video games.
in the beginning
It was a hot summer’s day so, the curtains were closed in the living room. The heat was soon to be forgotten for what happened next. I sat cross-legged on the floor next to the other boy and he gave me a paddle with a knob on it. I was shown how to use it and looked at the TV. I was speechless. And then I made sounds of awe. And then squeals of delight. I was playing Pong!
At first, I couldn’t believe the speed of the “bat” flying up and down the screen with me controlling it. To begin with, it was too fast, but with silent concentration from myself and my opponent, we both improved. I can only imagine what our mothers thought, complete silence from these usually loud boys, followed by sounds of victory and disappointment simultaneously.
ongoing interest
For the following years and decades, I followed and enjoyed many gaming systems. From Atari VCS and ZX Spectrum until now, I have always followed although, recently not as passionately. During those years, I read many magazines about my hobby. I yearned for the exotic videogame consoles I saw in them. Consoles such as all the different PC Engines, including the LT and its portable handheld version, the PC Engine GT. Nintendo’s notorious Virtua Boy and the Nintendo/Panasonic collaboration of a Gamecube that could playback DVDs. Wow!
Aladdin’s cave awaits
Fast forward to 2016 when I arrive in Japan with little knowledge of the amazing secondhand shops here, big chains and small independents alike. My new hobby is visiting these wonderful, nostalgia museums. Whenever Masami and I visit a new place, I track these shops down to see what piece of old video gaming tech contains within. I don’t have to buy anything, just seeing them reminds me of the overwhelming excitement I had as a child, a memory that I almost forgot.
Thank you people of Japan who took great care of these game machines. I am very grateful I can see them now, not in a magazine but in real life. Brilliant!
【あなたの心が伝わるあなただけの英語】
英語でのコミュニケーションをあなたらしい英語で。一人一人のレベル、能力、興味に合った教材や方法での英語レッスンプログラムをオンラインで学べます。
”あなたの英語”でコミュニケートしたい方は、まずは無料カウンセリングをご予約ください。
