I still remember the day our first computer arrived in 2001. I was just a kid, but that beige tower and bulky CRT monitor felt like something out of a sci-fi movie. It came with Windows ME (which I later learned wasn’t exactly the best OS), but at the time, I didn’t care. I was too busy exploring the wonders of Minesweeper, Pinball, and—when I finally got my hands on a CD—Age of Empires II.

My first real gaming obsession, though, was Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed. The moment I launched it, I was hooked. The graphics were mind-blowing for my nine-year-old self, and the thrill of racing a classic 911 through winding European roads was pure magic. Of course, I was still figuring out how to use a keyboard properly, so my "races" mostly involved crashing into walls and flipping the car. But I loved every second of it.

Another game that consumed my childhood was Counter-Strike 1.3. My friends and I would take turns on the computer, arguing over who got to be on the Terrorist team and who had to be Counter-Terrorist. Back then, our reaction times weren’t exactly pro-gamer level, and aiming with a mouse felt awkward.

Looking back, those early gaming days were pure magic. No microtransactions, no battle passes—just me, a clunky PC, and an endless sense of wonder. I’d give anything to relive those moments again.