The Games and Consoles That Shaped Me
The Games and Consoles That Shaped Me
PlayStation One
My gaming journey began with the original PlayStation, and it felt like stepping into a new universe. Tomb Raider was my first taste of cinematic adventure. Lara Croft wasn’t just a character; she was a symbol of exploration and mystery. The quirky Pepsi Man game gave me endless laughs with its bizarre premise, reminding me that games could be as much fun as they were epic. But the real anchor was Final Fantasy I–VIII. Each entry pulled me deeper into worlds of magic, heartbreak, and triumph. These games taught me that stories in gaming could rival books and movies, and they sparked my lifelong love of RPGs.
GameBoy
Portable gaming was revolutionary. With Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, I carried entire worlds in my pocket. Trading and battling with friends made the schoolyard feel like a global arena. The simplicity of the Game Boy didn’t matter; the magic was in the connection, the thrill of catching them all, and the pride of showing off your team.
Nintendo 64
The N64 was pure joy. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time gave me epic quests and unforgettable music that still echoes in my memory. Pokémon Stadium brought my Game Boy team to life in 3D battles, making my childhood companions feel larger than life. Mario 64 redefined platforming with freedom and creativity, while Mario Kart 64 was the ultimate couch co‑op chaos. This was the era of laughter, competition, and endless replayability with friends.
PlayStation 2
The PS2 was the golden age of RPGs. Final Fantasy IX through X‑2 consumed countless hours, each entry pushing narrative and gameplay further. I still remember the emotional weight of Final Fantasy X and the bold experimentation of X‑2. Beyond RPGs, Tekken and Mortal Kombat sharpened my fighting game skills, while God of War and Metal Gear Solid delivered cinematic storytelling and brutal action. Every disc felt like a new adventure, and the PS2 became the console that defined my teenage years.
Xbox
Microsoft’s first console introduced me to a new style of gaming. Halo redefined shooters with its sci‑fi setting and multiplayer battles. Gears of War brought gritty co‑op action that felt revolutionary at the time. Fable gave me moral choices that shaped my character’s journey, and Morrowind opened the door to sprawling RPG worlds where freedom was the rule. The Xbox era was about experimentation and discovering new genres.
Xbox 360
The 360 era was legendary. Oblivion and Skyrim showed me the scale of open worlds, where I could lose myself for hundreds of hours. Halo and Gears of War continued to dominate multiplayer nights, while Fable evolved its morality system. Assassin’s Creed introduced me to historical stealth adventures, blending history and fantasy in ways I hadn’t seen before. This was when RPGs and open worlds truly exploded, and I was hooked.
PSP
On the go, the PSP kept me entertained with racing games and GTA. Portable console‑quality gaming was a revelation, and it felt like I had a PlayStation in my pocket. It was freedom, gaming anywhere, anytime, with experiences that felt almost as big as console titles.
PlayStation 3
Here, I cemented my digital library. Metal Gear Solid 3 & 4, Killzone, and Assassin’s Creed defined the era. Digital downloads became my norm, and my collection grew rapidly. This was the point where I realized my library wasn’t just physical discs anymore; it was digital, permanent, and expanding fast. The PS3 era was about building a foundation that would carry me into the future.
Break-Years
During my years of traveling, I couldn’t always game the way I wanted. That’s when my Kindle became my lifeline. As an avid reader, books kept me busy and entertained when consoles weren’t an option. Alongside that, the PS Vita gave me portable access to gaming, so between novels and handheld adventures, I stayed connected to both worlds. These years reminded me that storytelling, whether through books or games, was what I craved most.
PlayStation 4
Back home, the PS4 era was massive. Destiny consumed hours with its online grind. Assassin’s Creed, FIFA, and Far Cry kept me busy, while Final Fantasy VII Remake reignited nostalgia. Kingdom Come: Deliverance gave me gritty realism, Ghost of Tsushima delivered samurai cinematic beauty, and God of War redefined mythological storytelling. This was peak immersion and cinematic gaming, where every title felt like an event.
PlayStation 5
Today, the PS5 is mainly my console for exclusives. Titles like Ghost of Yotei, God of War, Final Fantasy XVI, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth headline my favorites. Since most other games are available on PC, I reserve the PS5 for those blockbuster exclusives that truly showcase PlayStation’s strengths. It’s my go‑to for cinematic experiences, while PC handles the rest.
PC Gaming
PC gaming is now my main platform. Steam sales became my weakness; I’ve built up a library of 185 games over the years, with staples like Cyberpunk 2077, Mount & Blade, and countless other titles that aren’t new but still define my collection.
What makes PC gaming special for me is that it’s never static. Even though my library is full of older titles, I keep adding games that grab my interest. Recently, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has me hyped for its realistic medieval immersion, Dying Light remains one of the best survival‑action experiences I’ve played, and Where Winds Meet excites me with its wuxia‑inspired open world. On top of that, Stellar Blade adds stylish combat and futuristic storytelling to the mix, showing how diverse my PC lineup has become.
SteamDeck
The Steam Deck ties directly into this. It’s my portable powerhouse, letting me revisit old favorites on the go and chip away at my massive backlog. Whether it’s replaying classics or testing new additions like KCD2 or Where Winds Meet, the Steam Deck makes my PC library truly mobile; it’s the bridge between my expansive PC collection and the freedom of handheld gaming.
Conclusion
Looking back, each console and game wasn’t just entertainment; it was a milestone in my life. From childhood adventures with Lara Croft, to Pokémon battles on the school bus, to epic RPG marathons on Xbox and PlayStation, gaming has been a constant companion. And when I couldn’t game, books on my Kindle kept me immersed in stories. Now, with PS5 exclusives like Ghost of Yotei, PC as my main platform, and the Steam Deck for portability, I’m still chasing that same magic, only with bigger worlds, deeper stories, and more ways to play.