UPDATE 12TH DEC: You never disappoint me, do you? I’ve spent hours going through your comments, and they’ve had me laughing out loud—while also pulling at my heart and stirring up strong waves of nostalgia. Thanks for taking the time to share them, and for reminding me just how much gaming can matter.
One idea that shows up again and again in your posts is how gaming has a way of bringing people together. You’ve shared plenty of moments where individuals played with friends they’d lost touch with, or with people who are sadly no longer here, in the same way you’ve described families getting together and creating bonds—sometimes in ways they might never experience again. Often, it doesn’t even come down to the specific game; what counts most is that they were enjoying each other’s company.
Still, the details of what you’re playing can matter too. As Madame Drofla noted, the PlayStation 1 ushered in a fresh chapter—we didn’t realize back then that Sony would grow into a major force in gaming. For a lot of us, it was the first stop on the journey to legendary series such as Metal Gear Solid, Ratchet & Clank, and—how could we forget—Final Fantasy 7? In fact, there are more references to FF7 here than to any other game.
But this isn’t only about revisiting fond stories of games and friendships—it’s also a look back at a different time. I’m thinking about those days when people had to angle their consoles at strange positions just to get them working, and about local gaming shops where players would pick up their games or find out what was coming next. Everything felt rougher and less refined, which meant there was more room for unforgettable moments. I can’t recall laughing so much as when H1ppyDave told that brilliant story about throwing a PS1 out of a window because a friend was pretending to be the police while they were all high.
That said, it’s not the only kind of tale I wanted to spotlight. Weebleman’s story about a random Journey partner turning into a friendship that lasted for years was genuinely touching, and so was Dyn Arall’s thoughtful account of becoming a committed PlayStation fan. And I still can’t believe Tumbletwit’s friend actually got them a PS3 Slim after winning at the betting shop—what a friend!
Rami’s idea that Psycho Mantis was affecting their day-to-day life—along with the ceiling collapsing, which it really was collapsing—had me laughing, just as it did when Davotron went to extreme lengths to win a Cheesestring PlayStation competition. Cheesestrings, of all things! Shrui’s description of the “epic prick” trying to slip a bribe to reach the front of the PS2 pre-order line was equally vivid, and it genuinely boosted my faith in humanity.
Sandman’s story about connecting with a nephew who was going through a difficult period through Lunar Silver Star Story really got to me, and Mark Devis’ recollection of a friend who was lost, along with Tony Almond’s memory of a mother who had passed away, echoed similar feelings in my own life—so it meant a lot.
There are plenty more—George Roper, Rahmus, and Shifty Geezer’s accounts of friends playing together and remembering earlier times really resonated with me, and I loved the detailed memories from Cookie Monster and Alexandros Demetriades about their first encounters with PlayStation and its games. Thank you, everyone.
And then there’s the standout entry—yes, there is one—which comes from HelderCH. Despite what they think, they’re not short on storytelling talent at all. Their account of stumbling upon a community around Shadow of the Colossus on the PS2, and through that finding a friend who would later become a spouse, captures everything so well: games as something that can shape a life, games that help people through tough seasons, and games that let like-minded spirits meet. HelderCH, congratulations on your storytelling—and thank you for sharing. Keep an eye on your inbox; I’ll be in touch shortly!
ORIGINAL STORY 6TH DEC: Memories at the ready! We’d love for you to share your favorite PlayStation-related gaming memory—mainly because it’s fun to swap stories, but we’ll also look through them later and choose a winner who will get vouchers equal to the price of a game for the PlayStation Store. Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas.
We’ve run a few of these memory threads before, and they’ve turned into some of my absolute favorite comment sections ever on the site, all thanks to your wonderful willingness to share. Our latest one was for our Eurogamer 25th anniversary, which, honestly, was quite moving—but we’ve also done similar threads for Christmas, Star Wars, Zelda, and Street Fighter, and each one has made me laugh and brought a few tears. You’ve got some great stories.
So, what do you need to do? Just post a story below. Think back to a time when PlayStation played a role in your life for a reason worth remembering—maybe it brought people together, maybe someone pulled off something hilarious that still makes you smile, or maybe it was something else—and then describe it in the comments. It was PlayStation’s 30th anniversary this week, as you may have seen on our homepage, so I hope the memories are already pouring in. There’s plenty to draw from—30 years’ worth.
A PlayStation memory that never leaves my mind is one summer when I was hunched over an ironing board, aiming a light gun at a small TV inside a sweltering conservatory. I still have no idea why I brought my borrowed friend’s PS1 in there—because I was trying to beat Die Hard 2, which was famously tricky, if you remember. I think I shed a few pounds of sweat that weekend. But I also recall borrowing my friend’s PS2 to play Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and the first time I personally owned a PlayStation—the bulky, proudly distinct PlayStation 3. Let me tell you: we had a blast playing SingStar on it.
What do you remember?
I’ll go through the memories early next week and pick a winner, so you’ve got the weekend to think it over and put your thoughts down if you need that long. Have fun, and thanks for joining in.