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Boss Rush Banter: What Video Game or Moment Made You Fall in Love with Gaming?

3–4 minutes

We all love video games, but that passion had to start somewhere.

Video games are an art-form, and we all have artistic preferences that help us fall in love with the medium. It’s always fun to have retrospection and see where it all started for each of us.

I have memories of playing video games back in the early Nintendo 64 days. I used to fondly play Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64 along with a host of other games on the system. 

Coupled this with Sonic the Hedgehog games on my SEGA Genesis, and that was my early console gaming career. Unsolicited hot take: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is, in my opinion, the best one of the bunch.

As for handhelds, my devotion went to Pokemon Red and later Pokemon Gold on my Game Boy Color. I used to stay up late with friends taking advantage of the day-night system of Gold Version and just losing myself in the world.

When I look back, I don’t know if one set game was the reason I fell in love with gaming. In my younger days, it was a collection of games that slowly crafted my love for the medium. By the GameCube era, I was hooked. Games like Metroid Prime and Super Mario Sunshine had me coming back constantly. 

Photo Credit: Nintendo (via Discover Magazine)

A Falling Out and a Return to Form

I also have a unique perspective in that shortly after getting hooked on games, I fell out of love. I thought I was too cool to play video games as my interests started to shift to sports as I played high school athletics. 

I never outright hated video games, but I was just “too cool” to play them. This, unfortunately, led me to missing the Wii era of gaming. It wasn’t until after high school and a proselytizing mission for my church that I started to fall in love again. 

My brothers continued playing video games and after I finished my two-year mission, I was watching one of my brothers play The Legend of Zelda. I don’t remember if it was Twilight Princess or Skyward Sword, but the nostalgia of my days playing the N64 and GameCube came flooding back.

The game that reignited my love for gaming was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and I’m talking about the original one played on the Wii Virtual Console.

It was this game that helped me fall in love with gaming again and helped me remember to embrace my interests and passions. As far as the game itself, it was the music, dungeons, and story that just enthralled me.

From that point on, I was hooked, again.

What about you? Which game or moments helped you fall in love with gaming? What personal experiences do you look back at fondly thanks to video games? Let us know in the comments below or on our Discord channel.


The Boss Rush Podcast – Fridays at 7AM ET

The Boss Rush Podcast

The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of Boss Rush Media and The Boss Rush Network. Each week, Corey, LeRon, Stephanie, Edward, and their friends from around the internet come together to talk their week in games, entertainment, and more while also bringing topics for conversation, answer listener and community questions, and cover major news and events happening in the video game industry. Watch The Boss Rush Podcast live on Wednesday Nights on Twitch at 8:30PM ET / 5:30PM PT or on Friday mornings at 7AM ET on YouTube and podcast services everywhere. Thanks for listening! You can also get this episode one week early on Patreon.

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Featured Image: Nintendo (via The Los Angeles Times)

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6 responses to “Boss Rush Banter: What Video Game or Moment Made You Fall in Love with Gaming?”

  1. apkhuts Avatar

    I fall in love with each and every step of the game, but specially you have discuss in the middle of article.

  2. […] Boss Rush Banter: What Video Game or Moment Made You Fall in Love with Gaming? […]

  3. DDOCentral Avatar

    Reblogged this on DDOCentral.

  4. erichagmann Avatar

    I can’t pinpoint an exact memory but I do recall being enthralled by the colors of games at the arcade. In particular, I remember Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr and the sounds they made as they lumbered across the screen. From that point on, I was constantly asking my parents for quarters whenever I saw an arcade machine!

    1. Josh Martinez Avatar

      That’s the things that’s great about it all. Some have a specific moment while others had a collection of small moments that add to the overall passion. As I wrote above, I have had both. It’s really cool to see others’ gaming origin stories.

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Xbox’s Big Comeback, Brand Refreshing, and Summer Game Fest Hype - Boss Rush Podcast - A Podcast about Video Games

Email us your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠questions and topic ideas to the podcast here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.With conversations and rumors swirling about Xbox potentially returning to exclusivity for some of its major first-party games, it’s time to lay out a plan for how that could actually work.In this episode of the Boss Rush Podcast, Edward Varnell joins Corey Dirrig⁠ to talk through the Boss Rush Network revamp, upcoming showcases from Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation, and what they’ve been playing lately, including GTA V and Pragmata. Corey also shares a behind-the-scenes update on a difficult week that included an ER visit and a flooded basement, which delayed some planned Boss Rush updates.They then discuss Xbox’s potential change in direction direction, including Game Pass, its first-party lineup, and long-running franchises like Halo, Gears of War, and Fable, along with a broader discussion about whether Microsoft can reestablish Xbox as a leading force in gaming.This and more on the Boss Rush Podcast. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow the Boss Rush Network on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Thanks for your continued support of the Boss Rush Podcast and the Boss Rush Network! If you listen on podcast services, leave us a 5 star rating and a nice review or comment. If you're listening to this episode on YouTube, subscribe to the channel, like the video, leave a comment, and hit the bell so you don't miss an episode posting. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website for more great content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Boss Rush and our community.

Star Fox Returns on Switch 2, Price Hikes, & a Massive 2026 Lineup - Nintendo Pow Block Podcast - Now Your Podcasting with Power!

Email your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠questions to the podcast here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Fox McCloud is leading the charge for Nintendo's massive summer lineup as Star Fox returns on Switch 2. In this episode of Nintendo Pow Block, Edward Varnell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ discuss the surprise reveal of a new Star Fox game for Nintendo Switch 2, described as a cinematic reimagining of Star Fox 64 with co-op, multiplayer, and updated character designs. They also dig into Nintendo’s packed release roadmap through the rest of the summer and into 2027, including Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Splatoon Raiders, Pokémon Winds and Waves, and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book.They also cover the news that Nintendo is joining Xbox and PlayStation, raising the Switch 2 price to $499 USD in the US, slowing hardware forecasts, the original Switch closing in on the PS2 sales record, and concerns from analysts about a quieter year ahead. They also discus the huge early success of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Pokemon Pokopia, Reggie Fils-Aime's recent interview about Nintendo's dealings with Amazon, Takashi Tezuka retiring, and more third party support.This and more on Nintendo Pow Block! Join our Communities:Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow Nintendo Pow Block on Social Media: Nintendo Pow Block Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitch.TV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the Boss Rush Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitch.TV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow our Hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward Varnell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Cofounder of Boss Rush Media and host of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nintendo Pow Block⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Cofounder and CEO of Boss Rush Media and host of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nintendo Pow Block⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Xbox Casuals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Boss Rush Network:Support Boss Rush on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and buy merch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website at BossRush.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more great content.Thanks for Your Continued Support!Thank you for supporting Nintendo Pow Block! If you’re listening on podcast platforms, leave us a five-star rating and a review. If you’re watching on YouTube, subscribe, like, comment, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. Your support means the world—see you next time on Nintendo Pow Block!

The Death of Xbox Copilot, Leadership Changes, and 007: First Light - Xbox Casuals: An Xbox Podcast

The future of Xbox just got a whole lot more interesting with potential leaks, leadership shakeups, and a surprise shadow drop. This week on Xbox Casuals, ⁠Corey Dirrig⁠ and ⁠Josh Finney⁠ discuss new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's continued aggression in player-first moves, the latest in leadership changes, Forza Horizon 6 and whether legit city racing could finally return to the series in its Japanese setting, the potential Halo 2 and Halo 3 remakes, and talk about why IO Interactive’s James Bond: First Light already feels like a Game of the Year contender. Plus they look ahead to the June Showcase, discuss if Fable can survive the GTA VI hype cycle, and what they could possibly see in the 30 minute showcase of Gears of War: E-Day. This and more ⁠this week on Xbox Casuals⁠. Join our communities:⁠Boss Rush Community Discord⁠ ⁠Tower Casuals Destiny Discord⁠Follow our Hosts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Corey Dirrig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Founder of Boss Rush Media, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Finney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, cofounder and cohost of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tower Casuals: The Destiny Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Crimson Desert, Indie Games, and More with Kimchica - Boss Rush Gamescast - A Gameplay Discussion Podcast

How do AI, gaming, and storytelling all connect? In this episode of Boss Rush Gamescast, Pat Klein, Stephanie Klimov, Taylor, Stoy Jovic, and special guest Kimchika explore everything from the real-world challenges of AI in healthcare to deep dives into standout games. The team breaks down the design and world of Crimson Desert, while also spotlighting the unique gameplay and nostalgia-driven experience of Pocopia. The conversation expands into storytelling, player choice, and emotional impact with series like Life is Strange, along with thoughts on films like Super Mario Galaxy. Blending industry insight with personal experience, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where games and tech are heading.This and more on the Boss Rush Gamescast.Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Boss Rush Network: Follow Boss Rush Network on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Boss Rush Network:Support Boss Rush on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and buy merch on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Store.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website at BossRush.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more great content.Thank you for your Support!

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