Well to start off; I'm Andrew, a typical 19 year old student-on-gap-year-with-no-job-and-too-much-free-time. Because of my tender age, I really missed out on what most would call ‘retro gaming’. However, I do have wonderful memories of my early gaming experiences which I’d like to share now.

My house has never welcomed computer games. It seems my parents, with their English degrees and teacher training, feel that we (the kids) should be doing better things with our time than shooting stuff or exploring dungeons. Well I tell a slight lie; exploring dungeons did fleetingly capture the imagination of the entire household but that’s a story for another day. Anyway my parents really didn't like games, and especially weren't going to spend their hard earned cash (of which we definitely didn't have any spare!) on game machines.

While electronic games weren't welcome at my house, next door was a completely different matter. Next door had the definitive gaming experience of the day: the Atari 2600 VCS. This small plastic box with its assorted cartridges gave us hours of fun. Centipede, Asteroids, even the dreaded ET made an appearance. Trying to play Asteroids or space invaders in 16 glorious colours with my fingers madly hitting the red fire buttons on that chunky joystick was a truly unique experience.

My first memories of computer gaming belong to that VCS, and because of this I have always had a soft spot for Atari gear. Ohh how I queued at Dixons just to get a look at the Jaguar in its 64bit glory, and sat mesmerised watching better gamers than me whip through Tempest 2000.

Looking back, I’ve probably let my mind paint a generous tint of rose on the whole experience. No doubt the reality was that at times I could have ripped the cartridge out and chucked it through the window, but for the majority of the time I can remember having so much fun; lying, front-down, on the fluffy red carpet hammering that fire button for all it was worth, yet usually ending in me loosing, and my friend finishing bits for me, or completely slaughtering me at two player games.

However, my initial ineptitude was countered by a tenacious will to succeed – I loved this thing so much and it WAS NOT gonna beat me! Eventually after many hours, or even days, of practice I got good. Well, not that good but good enough that I wasn't a complete embarrassment. New games came and went, but still I worked at it and just about managed to keep my mediocre status intact.

However, things were about to change for the Chappell Family. Late (well for a 5 year old anyway!) one night a new box arrived downstairs in our hall – and it was to be the bringer of another of my golden gaming experiences. Did anyone mention Dungeons…

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