When I think of retro gaming I immediately return to the glory days that were the NES and SNES. Growing up during the late 80s and early 90s was literal video game heaven for me. I remember how excited I was when I first got my copy of Super Mario Bros. 3 on christmas morning 1990 or when I got my SNES on christmas morning 1991. So much has changed since then in terms of gaming, yet I can't seem to escape my true love for the NES and SNES.

THE life changing game of my childhood....

I have many fond memories of a going down to a local video store and renting video games every Friday night. It sort of became a ritual between my brother, my Dad and I. I remember renting such games as Super Mario Bros. 2, Donkey Kong, Mega Man 2, Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, Chrono Trigger and Shining Force II. When I think of retro gaming, I immediately go back to these days and the shear joy I experienced during this time.

Oh the hours that I spent beating this game....(I even liked Genesis games!)

My parents would purchase one new video game every year for us right around the time they used to get their tax return. Spring 1996, I remember going to my local Kmart and looking for a game to purchase for my SNES. My search was narrowed down to the Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Earthbound. Both would have been an outstanding choice, however I could only go home with one, and that one was Yoshi's Island. I remember thinking how amazing that game was when I first played it, the music, the graphics, the gameplay (minus crying baby mario).

vs...

The diffucult choices of my childhood...

That same year, I saved up all of my money from my birthday and I purchased a brand new copy of Super Mario RPG with the strategy guide for the low price of $100 plus tax.

And people think games today are expensive....

Right around the time the Nintendo 64 came out, my interest in video games was at full steam. I still remember the first time I played Super Mario 64 and thinking how awesome it was. Or my 2 year hype for the perfection that was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and that glorious gold cartridge I proudly own. Even though I loved the N64 days, there was a part of me that missed the NES and SNES days. Around this time I began searching flee markets and used game stores for old NES and SNES video games. Once Ebay really started to take off I went back and purchased a lot of the SNES games that I had missed owning the first time around. Chrono Trigger, Super MarioKart, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV, Sunset Riders, Kirby's Dream Course etc. This trend has continued to this day. I enjoy nothing more than hunting down old favorites on the NES and SNES while also playing some of unknown gems. I own and play most of the modern systems, but I will forever be drawn back to the NES and SNES. I guess its my inner child speaking to me, or maybe I just love 8 and 16 bit games!