Here Are The Games That Got Me Hooked On Gaming

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Obaid Ur Rehman

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Gaming has been a part of my life for many years, and I am glad it is. Among my many hobbies, it is one of the main ones that I really enjoy.

Throughout my time exploring various titles, I’ve found several incredible games and experiences that have stuck with me. However, a few games were so great that they increased my interest in gaming as a whole.

I would not be as avid of a gamer today were it not for these titles.

Why it matters: Gaming offers peace of mind and an escape from reality that can often be perfect after a hard day of work or a stressful day of studying.

Pokemon Fire Red

I was quite young when I first played games on a Sega console. Racing through Green Hill Zone as Sonic was quite fun, but it wasn’t until I got a Gameboy Advance that things really picked up.

I started my Nintendo journey with Pokemon Fire Red, which was a mind-blowing experience for me then. The exploration and unparalleled sense of progression as I conquered various gyms and grew my team, as well as everything else, felt so new and wonderful at the time.

This made me fall in love with the Pokemon series, and I ended up playing almost every single entry available for the Gameboy Advance. Because of this, I have over 2000 hours in the Pokemon games, making for some of my fondest gaming memories to date.

Cadillacs & Dinosaurs

Capcom used to make really great arcade games back in the day, and Cadillacs & Dinosaurs was one of them. This game was released in 1993, and I can’t exactly describe why, but it was extremely addicting.

I finished it so many times that I lost count of how many playthroughs I did. This was my favorite arcade beat-em-up back then, and I have spent over 100 hours on this game.

Back then, finishing Cadillacs & Dinosaurs with just one coin in arcades was considered a real flex, and I was fortunate enough to have done this. If you didn’t play Cadillacs & Dinosaurs during your childhood, my friend, you missed one of the best beat-em-ups the industry has to offer.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

I think almost every gamer in their 20s or 30s has played GTA Vice City. This entry was miraculous for its time, and playing it for the first time was an experience I will always cherish.

Before GTA Vice City, I hadn’t played anything with so much freedom. It was the epitome of joy for me, and I still remember every second of it. Using “Come Fly With Me” to fly off the bridge before the mission is still fresh in my memory.

I just wish I could play this game for the first time again since it brought me closer to gaming as a whole.

Silent Hill 2

I have no idea what happened to Konami, but it used to release some great games several years ago without much external help. This developer released Silent Hill 2 in 2001, setting a new benchmark for the horror genre.

I remember going through it on my PlayStation 2, and the experience gave me literal chills for days to come. The environments were practically real, the atmosphere unsettling, and every corner packed with new horrors.

If you haven’t played Silent Hill 2 yet, I recommend doing so before Konami’s new remake is out. It may not be the most cutting-edge title out there, but the strong artistic direction makes it a classic worth appreciating.

While these games were mainly responsible for my interest in the medium today, I would also mention Assassin’s Creed, Resident Evil 2, Metroid Prime, GTA 3, and Half-Life 2, as other notable titles that I adore.

The best thing about gaming is that the possibilities are endless, and everyone has their own favorites. While your list of favorite may be different, we can come together to celebrate the incredible experience that this medium has continued to provide for multiple decades.

Obaid Ur Rehman

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com