Virtual Fetishism

As promised I'd like to take the next few posts to talk to you about my virtual fetishism. Neither of us have the time to explore the entirety of my evolution as a gamer but I'll mention a number of critical developments in order to hopefully convey my interests in the modest pleasure that is gaming.

I started playing console video games when I was the ripe old age of 5 (1990). My parents, beautiful creatures that they are, held a garage sale in order to raise funds for our very first console system. My Dad sold several antiques that he had collected over the years and once we raised the $200 it was out with the old and in with the new. My parents never had much interest in gaming but I suppose I must have been nagging at them. Either way, it was that Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that started a beautiful lifelong relationship between a young boy and a virtual world of heroes and adventure...

Although titles such as Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, Ice Climber, and Donkey Kong Jr. Math were all attractive options that I thoroughly enjoyed it was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade game) that really put the icing on the cake. This side scrolling beat 'em up, based on the popular comic and the 1987 TV series of the same name, was a two player arcade like NES game. I couldn't get enough of it! Being so young I found it extremely challenging. I haven't gone back to play it again but it certainly kept me and my friends busy. I was also obsessed with the cartoon and had a plethora of action figures. The subsequent release of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" the movie in March 1990 only furthered this obsession and culminated in fulfilling year. The seminal quality of this particular game however was the opportunity to be a hero and to do it cooperatively with a real life friend. Enjoying and sharing these mutual fantasies as a child (both in the game and outside the game with action figures, etc.) was incredibly exciting. As time progressed it seems a common theme that I was seeking opportunities to enjoy this highly realized fantasy world with my friends.

What games were your favourite? What did you like about them the most? I'd be interested to know what exactly it is about these games that caught our attention and continues to do so. Next post I'll continue to discuss how my evolution as a gamer progressed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Warm Regards,
Theron