Hard to imagine it's been over two decades since Nintendo launched the N64 and brought us "The Fun Machine", but it's a system that holds a strong resonance within gamer's hearts.
For those who know me, they'll tell you my love for the Sega Dreamcast is at an all-time high. However, in retrospect & preparation for this article, I came to realize that no other console captured me or the magic that is gaming like the N64 did to me that September of 1996.
I remember so much hype inside of myself and my friend Mighty James, that we couldn't get enough of talking about it those months leading up to the launch. We annoyed the shit out of our wives with the topic, and spent more time on the phone talking to each other than grown men are probably supposed to do. The excitement just had us though, and I'll never forget walking into our local Toys 'R Us and seeing live N64's set up and playing Super Mario 64! I felt so much come over me, and felt so lucky because there was only one system left open...no line...just it...and me. I'm sure I don't have to describe how awesome it was to pick up the odd controller and play one of our most iconic characters in the third dimension. It was incomparable to anything that preceded it. This was the future in my hands and I was playing it unexpectedly. I remember calling Mighty J and letting him know and he went down that same day and experienced it for himself. We both got consoles at launch (I believe so...right J?) and it was amazing the experiences we had with it. Wave race, Killer Instinct Gold, Turok just to name a few all brought memorable experiences with every play through.
The last of the cartridge (or GamePak) consoles had a fantastic swan song, and in many ways is becoming popular again. I cannot believe the amount of people I talk to in person or read about online that have a strong love for the N64 and either still have theirs (it's Nintendo...the shit lasts forever) or they're seeking to find one.
I was so inspired and hit with a sudden wave of regret for ever getting rid of mine, I purchased a little N64 paradise on EBay and it should be arriving this week. I cannot wait.
KiDD FUU
