Best Holiday Gaming Memory

Actually, my best holiday gaming memory was last Christmas. It was the first time I found a video game under the tree. Although I've been into gaming since before I can remember, I've never gotten a game as a Chrstmas gift because it was something my parents' didn't approve of. Thus, my collection is largely self-created. Imagine my surprise to find Dragon Quest VIII under the tree. I figured from the way the box felt, it was some DVD movie. Nope, not at all. Best of all, it was a video game for a system I owned andwas a game I wanted. Dad apparently made a fool of himself trying to buy it (which my mother was quick to explain), but I was really touched that he put forth the effort to try and find something like that.venus577

But hey, over just this summer I actually got a SNES.... so I got my wish.... like, ten years later. Or so.gakon5

I ♥ my SNES.

Although I've been into gaming since before I can remember, I've never gotten a game as a Chrstmas gift because it was something my parents' didn't approve of.venus577

Wow, that's rough!  I feel for you, man.  When I was a kid, Christmas and my birthday comprised about 98% of my yearly video game acquisitions.  My parents are fairly frugal, which is certainly not a bad thing, it's just the reason why I pretty much only got games twice a year.

I do remember just one time my parents got a game for me outside of Xmas or BDay.  It was just before they traveled up to FSU with my sister for her college orientation.  The night before, they gave me StarFox for the SNES with the thought that it would give me something to keep me busy while they were gone.  I wanted this game so badly at the time, I absolutely couldn't believe it!  I think I cried tears of joy; seriously.  They must have preordered the game too, or something, because they also gave me a StarFox thermos with it.  Strange, but cool.  Hmm..... I should have that thing around here somewhere still.

[QUOTE="venus577"]Thus, my collection is largely self-created. Imagine my surprise to find Dragon Quest VIII under the tree. waflerevolution

My parents have always been OK with my video games (thankfully).  I suppose in lieu of these stories I have taken it somewhat for granted.

So here are my fond memories:

I don't know why but my parents have always liked to do little cute things when giving me games as presents (when I was a kid, that is). I remember opening up a SNES game as a present before I even had a SNES.  I said, "thanks, but this is for the new system, it won't work with my NES".  They even joked about exchanging it for a NES game at the store.  Then they handed me a bigger present to open: a SNES.  Bonus: a few more SNES game presents followed shortly thereafter.

There was another year that I had the biggest present under the tree; about the size of a 20" CRT monitor box.  Obviously I wondered for days what could be in it.  When I got the chance to tear into it on Christmas morning, I found another, slightly smaller box inside.  Upon opening that one, another box.  And another, and another.  Each one wrapped up with wrapping paper.  It was like one of those Russian doll sets.  Ultimately, it came down to a box about 3"x4"x1".  Inside was a gift card good for fifty game rentals from the local video store.

I don't know why but my parents have always liked to do little cute things when giving me games as presents (when I was a kid, that is). I remember opening up a SNES game as a present before I even had a SNES. I said, "thanks, but this is for the new system, it won't work with my NES". They even joked about exchanging it for a NES game at the store. Then they handed me a bigger present to open: a SNES. Bonus: a few more SNES game presents followed shortly thereafter.inkwolf

I was always excited to find batteries as a Christmas gift cause that meant I hadn't unwrapped something that needed them. venus577

Batteries are always a good sign. ^_^

Did anyone else like to sneak peaks at their game-box shaped Christmas presents, or was that just me?  When I was a kid, anything that was the dimensions of a NES or SNES box was a prime target of mine for "pre-opening". 

I would wait until very late at night after everyone else was sound asleep; then stealthfully make my way down to the Christmas tree in the family room.  There I would ever-so-carefully separate the tape on one edge of the gift from it's moorings; gingerly peel back the folds of wrapping paper and spy on the title inside. 

What a rush. 

I did this several times over many years, but I specifically remember the time I got a sneak peak at UN Squadron.

Of course, then I had to re-seal the package; making sure to match up the pattern of wrapping paper that peeled off with the tape back onto it's source (sometimes unavoidable with the flimsier stock of wrapping paper).  And then pull out my acting skills on Christmas morning. As far as I can tell, no one ever suspected.  :)

Edit: Spelling corrections.

[QUOTE="venus577"]I was always excited to find batteries as a Christmas gift cause that meant I hadn't unwrapped something that needed them. inkwolf

Batteries are always a good sign. ^_^

Did anyone else like to sneak peaks at their game-box shaped Christmas presents, or was that just me?  When I was a kid, anything that was the dimensions of a NES or SNES box was a prime target of mine for "pre-opening". 

I would wait until very late at night after everyone else was sound asleep; then stealthfully make my way down to the Christmas tree in the family room.  There I would ever-so-carefully separate the tape on one edge of the gift from it's moorings; gingerly peel back the folds of wrapping paper and spy on the title inside. 

What a rush. 

I did this several times over many years, but I specifically remember the time I got a sneak peak at UN Squadron.

Of course, then I had to re-seal the package; making sure to match up the pattern of wrapping paper that peeled off with the tape back onto it's source (sometimes unavoidable with the flimsier stock of wrapping paper).  And then pull out my acting skills on Christmas morning. As far as I can tell, no one ever suspected.  :)

Edit: Spelling corrections.

One Christmas I recieved the penultimate gift.
The NES rob the robot gift set. ROB was so cool. It was awsome to get the ROB with both Gyromite and mario/ duck hunt. I played it all day long. The only low point was ROB had a problem but that was quickly fixed with some sandpaper on the battery connections and he was good to go. I would have to say that was my favorite gift ever and the most thoughtfull one.

I
amorphe

[QUOTE="amorphe"]One Christmas I recieved the penultimate gift.
The NES rob the robot gift set. ROB was so cool. It was awsome to get the ROB with both Gyromite and mario/ duck hunt. I played it all day long. The only low point was ROB had a problem but that was quickly fixed with some sandpaper on the battery connections and he was good to go. I would have to say that was my favorite gift ever and the most thoughtfull one.

I
waflerevolution

[QUOTE="waflerevolution"][QUOTE="amorphe"]One Christmas I recieved the penultimate gift.
The NES rob the robot gift set. ROB was so cool. It was awsome to get the ROB with both Gyromite and mario/ duck hunt. I played it all day long. The only low point was ROB had a problem but that was quickly fixed with some sandpaper on the battery connections and he was good to go. I would have to say that was my favorite gift ever and the most thoughtfull one.

I
amorphe

My sister had to remind me of this one...

Back in the SNES era, I actually got quite a few games.  Problem was, my parents always got games that they might like as well.  This meant that there was a ton of RPGs in my house.  Final Fantasy II and III, Lagoon, The 7th Saga, etc.  Don't get me wrong...I loved the games and played them all to exhaustion.  But, there was one game I wanted more than any other; Street Fighter II. 

My dad wasn't particularily interested in buying me that game due to the fact that it had an astronomical $70 price tag and I camped in front of it everytime he took me to the arcade.  So, I went into that Christmas not expecting to see it.  And I was right...almost.

I had just finished opening my stuff on Christmas morning, which was a pretty nice haul (my family wasn't rich by any means, since my mom was always sick, but my dad always put a huge effort into Christmas) and was happily messing around with something I'd gotten (I wouldn't begin to remember what it was).  No Street Fighter II, but then again, it hadn't even crossed my mind.  My dad left the room saying that he'd forgotten something.  Out he comes with one more gift for each of us.  Obviously, mine was Street Fighter II.  Total surprise...my dad got the biggest hug ever.

I had trouble with this thread because I get games for just about every special occasion...Christmas, birthdays, my wedding anniversary.  Easy gift for me...they know if I've got it, I can trade it or return it for something I don't have.  Even so, that one was special.