Emily Park

Wahoo! Yipee! It's a-me, Emily!

These phrases may sound reminiscent of a well-known video game character representing the company that made my childhood: Nintendo. Although I (and many others) mostly associate Nintendo with the nostalgia of being a kid again, I find that its games have also influenced different perspectives on my life as I matured. In "Breath of the Wild", an award-winning Legend of Zelda title, the calmness and beauty of the scenery and landscapes is enough to captivate the player instantly. It makes me wonder why I don’t appreciate and bask in the nature of the Creator more so than the creator of that game. With couch multiplayer games like Mario Kart and Mario Party, I realize that it is impossible to enjoy life without a friend. Single-player games are fun, but I can’t imagine only playing those games for the rest of my life, just as I can’t imagine going to restaurants, movies, or sports games forever alone. And in my favorite game of all time, Animal Crossing (a life simulation game), there is a notable balance between priorities in life--such as earning money--and the freedom in experiencing life--such as shopping, getting your hair done, and picking up seashells at the beach. I usually found myself at one end or the other, whether I was devoted to work or focusing on having fun, but playing Animal Crossing reminds me to look at the other side every now and then. I will always look back at my Nintendo games with an affection unlike any other, as it has not only brought me so much joy growing up, but has shaped part of who I am today.