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It all started with my slightly older neighbors across the street. I moved in to that house when I was about to turn 6, and at some point within the first year or so of living there Pokemon hit stateside. These two brothers would come over to play with myself and my brother, usually running around, using our imaginations like savages. Occasionally they'd bring their Game Boys or invite us to play N64, and that was where it all started. I remember actually opposing Pokemon being inserted into our other games. "Come up with your own ideas, what is this Pokemon stuff anyway?" When they finally introduced me I was hooked forever. As a kid who loved animals and was always out catching fireflies, frogs, and minnows, Pokemon was the ultimate fantasy. Superpowered animals you could discover, capture, and train for yourself. I remember them showing us posters, books, and the games themselves. I remember that Zubat, Aerodactyl, and the Legendary Birds were some of my favorites from the start, and I'm still a dyed-in-the-wool Sky Trainer.
I finally got a Game Boy Color and Red Version for myself sometime later. Started with Charmander and set off on the adventure we're all still on. My younger brother actually learned to read by watching over my shoulder, frustratedly trying to follow along. That new life skill earned him his own copy of Blue. Having a brother during the height of paired version popularity was a real blessing. Pokemon, the Oracle Zelda games, Megaman Battle Network...never had to miss out on the story or goodies of one game.
Those guys also introduced us to Super Smash Bros, actually. By extension, that was also an introduction to Kirby and Zelda. I owe them a lot, but my wallet isn't thrilled about it.
