When I was old enough to play games, Ocarina of Time was releasing. I only owned a NES and SNES throughout childhood. I would go over to my cousin's house and play Ocarina of Time on his N64. One day, when I came home from school, my mom somehow had a bunch of new SNES games for me. I actually never asked her where she got them; it was probably a garage sale. But there were so many new games for me as a kid. Secret of Mana and A Link to the Past were among my favorite games I discovered that day. I remember when I first booted up A Link to the Past, there was already a file with the name Shane. For a long time I thought that was Link's official name haha, but now I realize that was likely the previous owner's name. I was actually disappointed when I first saw A Link to the Past's graphics. I had already seen Ocarina of Time, so A Link to the Past seemed like a downgrade (at this age I wasn't aware of the generational difference between a SNES and N64). But wow, did A Link to the Past blow me away.
I have not played A Link to the Past in years, but my memories are so vivid. Rescuing Zelda from the castle dungeon, figuring out how to get the blacksmiths to temper my sword, experiencing the Wallmasters for the first time, turning in to a bunny in the Dark World, finding the Great Fairy in the waterfall...so many good memories. This is kinda sentimental, but I really feel lucky to have lived at a time and place where I was able to experience all of these great games growing up.