I grew up in a household where gaming was a pretty crucial. Sibling disputes were often settled on Street Fighter II, although perhaps more were created as a result. Games often prevented me from getting a literal beating from one of my older brothers (or sister), while I would often feel their wrath anyway due to over exuberant celebrations after scoring a goal on Super Soccer on the SNES (Well, there was a Subbuteo Champions League trophy at stake).


This is usually where I would be slapped about the head


I'm kind of glad that Goldeneye on the N64 came a little too late to be included in those epic battles in which control pads flew across the room, headlocks were clamped and, more often than not, I'd end up winded. Golden gun multi-player would probably have seen me fly out of the window at some point. Phew.

Goldeneye changed everything for me and came just after one brother moved out and the other was busy smoking weed and shooting air rifles. I was jealous that one or two of my pals had the N64 and this game. I pooled my resources, got my pocket money together and went with my mum to Wood Green, in good ol' North London. I haven't look back (in fact, I live near there now, so quite literally). I was no longer playing out of fear or panic of a dead arm. I had my own console now! New and exciting adventures to conquer...


I'll wipe that smile off your face

It was was the first game that really unified myself and my friends in the world of gaming. We would discuss what was happening in our storylines, gather round eachother's houses for multiplayer sleepovers (those were the days), give each other tips... I remember a phone call I had with a pal:

"HELLO"

"Alright. I think I've cracked Silo"

"is it? how?"

"Get yourself round here"

"Cool"

"See you in ten"

That is how easy it was in those days to get your mate round your house. Nowadays you'd need all kinds of drink and drugs (even 14 year olds). I showed him the angles to shoot the security cameras from and he was able to follow me onto the next level. It was a real community thing and I was hooked from start to finish and beyond. This reignited my love of video games that I grew up with, while giving me my first taste of gaming independence. And that control pad? Wow.


*Shudder*


I will leave you with one thought. No matter how many times I played my brothers on games previous to this, I don't think anything made me panic, fear and sweat like that part when Natalya is at the computer and you have guys crashing in through windows on either side and coming down stairs and just being a reeeeeal nuisance. You have to fend them off while she is getting pounded with bullets and ends up covered in blood but somehow fine. Escaping into the lift at the end of that level was one of the more satisfying moments in gaming. For me, anyway. Oh, and just for the record, that watch menu system has never been beaten.