Nostalgic Games

During some of the most cherished days of my life, I reveled in the simplicity of being a dedicated student who relished life and spent endless hours immersed in the joy of gaming. Life was uncomplicated: I'd return home from school eager to dive into my favorite games without the burden of homework or any other concerns. The afternoons were a sanctuary of simplicity, with gaming sessions from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by either swimming classes or engaging in cricket, football, or spontaneous adventure games on the IIT KGP campus. It wasn't until the eighth grade, when we moved to the ISI Kolkata campus, that I began to contemplate the intricate process behind creating these games.

My initiation into the world of gaming started in class 1 with Minesweeper and Pinball, which we played tirelessly until we discovered Road Rash—one of my earliest gaming experiences during my KG-1 days at a neighbor's house. The graphics, though basic by today's standards, held a captivating allure with their simplicity, vibrant colors, and a touch of physical realism that drew me in.

From flash games offering brief bursts of gameplay to the quaint Java-written mobile games and the expansive world of PC games, my gaming journey spanned various platforms. My desire to commemorate the memories these games bestowed upon me led me to recollect over 90% of the games I've played, arranged chronologically from the early 2000s to 2016. This webpage stands as a tribute to those games that made my childhood extraordinary, as it was a time predominantly spent on either games or anime.

Despite growing up, there's an ongoing quest to rediscover the same joy etched in those memories, yet the pursuit has evolved. The thrill that simple games like IGI provided, with modest graphics but a wealth of surprise and challenging levels, is hard to replicate. The transformation of gaming from single-player campaigns to multiplayer experiences has altered the landscape, and as '90s kids, we find it challenging to derive the same enjoyment from ultra-realistic environments—they lack the raw thrill of our earlier experiences, perhaps a testament to our journey into adulthood.

From my extensive list, standout favorites include IGI, Midtown Madness, Vice City, and the Call of Duty series. The desire to revisit those simpler times and immerse myself in the games of my childhood is a longing to reconnect with the carefree spirit of youth.