Ahh, we all remember our first time. That magical moment when we found a game that we were truly addicted to. That first game that washed over us like pixelated heroin, forever ravaging our innocence and dooming us to chase that next level. Whether you were hooked as a child, racing home to flip that heavy metallic switch on your 2600 to try and out dodge Coily in Q-bert. Maybe you put aside your homework, to wander around in a four man line, hypnotized by the ceaseless music of Ultima. We all have that ONE game that was the catalyst to our grown gaming vices. For me it was a game called HERO for the Atari 2600. A platformer in which you play a Heli-pack wearing rescue operative, sent to the aid of trapped miners. Armed with a sweet laser helmet, level after lever, deeper you go. Facing bats, magma walls and butterflies(?!). This game is why I'm not something important today. While there were games that came before it(shout outs to Pong, Pac-Man and the Oregon Trail) This little nugget was what turned me into that glazed eyed fat kid, that would sneak out into the living room late to play with the sound off, and draw pictures of the game's protagonist on my paper-bag book covers. It's the game that made my mom take away my system, because apparently 'fresh air' is important. So whether you got turned out as a youth or you're new to the trappings of addictive gaming my question to the masses is simple. What was the first game you were addicted to? I'm off to play Oblivion...
