One of my earliest memories from my NES days, was laying on the ground beside my father’s recliner, quietly watching and learning while he played The Legend of Zelda. It was far past my bedtime and my mother had already gone to sleep. But Dad liked to enjoy some of the peace and quiet and go on his own adventures. He had played Dungeons and Dragons with is friends when he was younger and had loved the text-based adventures of the Commodore 64. But now it was 1990 and he had put on Link’s iconic green tunic and embarked on his quest to defeat Ganon. I like to believe I was sneaky enough to crawl down the hallway on my belly, and inch my way up to his chair without being noticed like a tiny Solid Snake. But the truth is, I’m sure he was well aware of my presence and had chosen to enjoy our silent father-son time. This was the start of a lifelong love affair with the many adventures of Link over the next 30 plus years.
I think back to those days when my Dad taught me to play on that same NES cartridge often. We then sat side by side and saved Hyrule again in A Link to the Past. (Yes, we never committed to beating Zelda II…) When I bought my N64, right before the millennium, was the first time I faced a Zelda adventure alone. My Dad was busy with adult life and struggled with the enigma of the N64 controller. But, he still frequently came by my room to watch and enjoy The Ocarina of Time with me. I continued as I grew up, facing Majora, The Windwaker, Twilight Princess, and the Skyward Sword. Not to disregard my handheld adventures with the Windfish, the Seasons and Ages, and a Link between Worlds. Every time Nintendo opened the door to Link’s next adventure I was there…ready to take up the Master Sword again in the name of good... Then, everything changed.
I lost my Dad to cancer… The mentor I had always turned to for advice, my physical embodiment of wisdom and knowledge wasn’t there anymore. I felt lost and started to lose ground in an ongoing battle with depression. Suddenly, I didn’t have the motivation or energy to do any of the things I once did for fun. I let my life turn into an endless cycle of work and sleep…until I found friends that got me to pick up my WiiU tablet again. I couldn’t stop the tradition my Dad and I had set in motion decades earlier. I had to finish the Breath of the Wild for both of us. I explored the divine beasts, defeated the blights, re-entered Hyrule Castle and finally watched as the Beast Ganon crashed to the ground. Tears flowed and I felt his hand on my shoulder…proud that I had continued the quest for him. In a strange way, Link’s adventure had become my own. Much like in A Link to the Past, the sword had been passed to my hand, and the quest had become my own.
Now years have passed, life has taken its twists and turns and I find myself sitting on the sofa, re-living the adventures of my youth and endlessly drifting in an ocean of memories. But, there’s a new lighthouse in that ocean for the first time in many years. My son laying on the ground, entranced by his ol’ Dad effortlessly solving puzzles and dispatching foes. He doesn’t care that I’ve done battle in the halls of these temples and dungeons countless times before. In his eyes, I’m a hero. My daughter sitting on the other end of the sofa holding her phone…but letting her eyes drift up to the TV and losing herself in the adventure she’s seeing. Now they’ve both chosen their first adventures in Hyrule and taken up the sword for themselves. She chose A Link to the Past and he chose the Windwaker. I’ve never been so proud of my kids as when I walk downstairs to the front room and heard the competing volumes of their respective systems both playing the familiar anthems of The Legend of Zelda.
Life can really get a person thinking. The circular nature of everything coming and going, then coming back again. I cherish all the time I spent facing the forces of evil with my Dad. I fought through pain to take up the adventure in his place when he was gone. Now, those games mean more to me than I can put into simple words. They were the glue that helped put me back together when I was broken. They’re like an old worn-out blanket; full of holes and stains, stretches and tears. But the comfort and warmth they give are irreplaceable. Now I pass the sword to this new generation and cherish every moment I get to share with my kids. Teaching them the tips and tricks of a life of adventuring and all the secrets passed to me by my Dad. My ever-continuing quests to take up arms against evil and rescue imaginary kingdoms has taught me a great many things. Not the least is a part of who I really am inside and how much I have in common with my parents and kids. I am the son of a teacher, my children are the son and daughter of an officer…But beneath it all, we’re three generations of adventurers. Always ready to take up the sword to protect the innocent and to defeat evil. And ya know, I couldn’t be prouder of this great legacy I get to be part of. Gaming isn’t just a pastime or a hobby. At least, it doesn’t have to be. So, pick up your controller, embrace the adventure, and let the noble journey continue…and as always, game on.
Dedicated to an amazing Gamer-Dad that I spent endless hours conquering countless adventures with. The moments we shared, with controllers in hand, are some of my most cherished memories.
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