Merry Christmas everyone! I thought I’d write about the very special day 30 years ago when I was lucky enough to get a PlayStation for Christmas.
The Setup
So through 1995 I’d seen the build up for Sony’s new console. It wasn’t obvious how big it would be for me. I’d seen various other companies show up, trying to take the crown from Nintendo and Sega. A friend had the 3DO which was pretty awesome, but didn’t quickly capture the buzz that the PlayStation did. I wasn’t allowed a console in previous console generations, apart from getting a GameBoy. But I was dead certain I wanted the PlayStation - after seeing how realistic Ridge Racer looked in the arcades for the last year, I needed to have that in my own house! Problem is - it was way too expensive for a Christmas present, what should I do?
The Plan
That wouldn’t stop me though - I stated that I did not want any Christmas presents from anyone this year, I’ll take cold hard cash with an aim to get one once I have enough money. After polling my relatives, adding my savings and pocket money, I should be able to afford one after Christmas. My parents were pretty concerned that I wouldn’t get anything for Christmas and was I sure that was what I wanted - and I was 100% sure.
Christmas Day Presents
Christmas came and my parents still had a lovely little pile of Christmas presents for me to open - along with many envelopes of cheques from kind relatives helping me reach my goal for - hopefully - an exciting shopping trip on the 27th. After everything was open, there was that little lull where we had finished the present event that had been built up with advent calendars and TV from the past month. My parents then said there were a couple of presents on the dining table next door - addressed to them. I was naturally curious why they were making such a big deal as they unwrapped their last gift. And big surprise (I had suspected they would do something like this - but they had fooled me!) the box was a Sony PlayStation one with Ridge Racer!!! Best Christmas EVER!
What I Received
- A PlayStation One
- An Extra Controller
- A memory card
- Ridge Racer
- PlayStation Plus Magazine - November 1995
- Doom 1 Level Demo
Gameplay
Early Morning
So I got things setup, unboxed the PlayStation and hauled my TV downstairs into the family room. Hooked it all up and booted up Ridge Racer by just after 6am and began playing. From memory, it was wild playing a racing game in 3D. I had grown up on Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge, so the gameplay existing in three dimensional space was mind blowing and initially challenging. I remember sucking at it initially and concentrating on using the “Italian car” (it was red, white and green) which had the best handling stats.
Mid Morning
Next I had to try Doom. I’d played it many times at all my friends with PCs over the last few years. It was great to have even a one level demo. The lighting was a lovely touch. Finally opened up Demo One from the PlayStation Plus Magazine disc which had a load of other demos on it - Destruction Derby grabbing my attention the most along with the interactive T-Rex demo.
Lunch
Hours of intense playing just about melted my young eyeballs - and it was time for Christmas lunch. So I was pulled back to reality for 20 minutes to have a family meal.
Back to Gaming
I remember finding out that the claws guy from Battle Arena Toshinden (Fo Fai) could do a cool power ball move by rotationally mashing the both sets of buttons. Wipeout was really punishing for my young, teenage self. I completed Doom and the first stage of Ridge Racer and unlocked the backwards tracks.
Ridge Racer Boss
I came up against the Griffin car in Ridge Racer - which seemed impossible as it just flew passed you on the first lap. I didn’t realise that it would just park up and spent time lining myself up to have it smash into the back of me throughout the course. At 10pm I finally beat it and the game, saving my game and retiring to bed. I had played about 15 hours through Christmas day and I was utterly overstimulated and tired. What a great day!