So many years to choose from... The year I got my OG Xbox and Halo?
Maybe the one I got by GBC, a gameshark, Pokemon Red & Blue, or the one where my dad built me a killer gaming PC that marked the first PC that was my own?
Perhaps the year I got an interact V3 steering wheel and started learning to drive in NFS III Hotpursuit. (First time driving a car was 13 and this had helped immensely in learning to drive)
Then I read this:
Definitely the Christmas that the PS2 came out. My parents were too poor to afford anything more than a few Goodwill toys and a Sega Genesis game.
So after I opened all my small presents, my uncle came by. He might as well have been Santa himself cuz he pulled a giant box out of his car and handed it to me.
It was a PlayStation 2, with 3 games, strategy guides, an extra controller. Everything. Kid-me had never see anything like it. I’m pretty sure I cried because I was so overwhelmed and my uncle was like “oh crap I’m sorry I guess you wanted an Xbox?” But I was just so happy and amazed that my reaction was to happy-cry lol.
My first and best gaming related Christmas memory:
1993 I got my Sega Genesis (a second gen model) that came with Sonic 2, along with an aftermarket turbo controller. I also got Sonic Spinball.
While the Genesis itself was a gift from my parents, the reason I got one that year was my uncle. When trying to buy one locally didn't work, the next best bet was Vancouver (which is also an 8hr drive from home) he managed to get one and also got me Sonic Spinball to go with it. Spinball being the "gift" from him, little did I know at the time he came through like he always did for us.
My parents were poor as fuck too but they always managed to do something awesome for Christmas (thanks to help from the rest of the family). All the stuff I mentioned above, my uncle had a hand in helping my family get one way or another. It's only now that I'm writing this did I realize that, my uncle was fucking awesome.
I say was, as this is the first Christmas with out my uncle. He passed away earlier this year sadly.
Though I call him my uncle it wasn't as simple as that. He was my dad's best friend since kindergarten (almost 60 years of friendship). As a kid/teenager I was under the impression he was my uncle. It made sense, he always came to visit and bring gifts during the holidays/birthdays, often came to holiday dinners. Never once forgot my birthday. I couldn't say the same about my other relatives.
I'd say that was my most favorite/cherished Christmas memory, not only do I have all of those consoles/games to this day most every year around this time I do one thing, and this year and from now on I'll be doing it in memory of my uncle...
I play Sonic Spinball, and beat the shit out of Robotnik like it's 1993...