Nintendo was a big part of my childhood. I grew up making Mario defeat Bowser, having Link trudge through the fields of Hyrule, and allowing Little Mac to knock out dudes twice his size.
So when I heard about the NES Classic Mini hitting stores, there was no doubt I wanted it. 30 games in a little, adorable, gaming system? Sounds perfect. But of course, Nintendo, being Nintendo, didn't supply enough to the masses, and before long, stores were sold out, and marketplace websites were making them available at outrageous prices.
I had mentioned to my mom that I wanted one, and she, to her credit, went to the nearest Target on release day, which was November 11th. They only had 18 in stock, and she was number 19. It was then that I said, "No biggie, I'll just wait until after Christmas."
I wasn't upset, or heartbroken. As a 33 year old adult (with a 5 year old soul), I get it. Life doesn't always work in your favor, whether it be for materialistic or emotional matters. I could wait to get this thing, it was not a problem.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, my mom continued to ask "Did you or Jacie (my girlfriend) find one yet?" I would get this question once a week, maybe twice. My response would always be the same-"No." My girlfriend and I both work two jobs, and have busy weekends, so there was no way either of us would be able to search for this rare "toy."
The Friday before Christmas, I went over to my parents' house to help tidy up and run errands, to help out. In cleaning up the desk around the computer my mom and brother use, I found some items that made me think that I was possibly getting the classic mini under the tree. I immediately dismissed this thought; there's just no way, I said, internally.
In the course of opening my presents Christmas presents, my brother gave me an extremely lengthy HDMI cable for some unknown reason. It was a little bizarre, but hey, who couldn't use a HDMI cable for something?
When I was done unwrapping my gifts, I was more than happy. But then, in that moment, my mom said "Oh, I forgot one." Classic mom-ism. She handed me my last gift, which I opened-car seat covers. Oh, ok. No, I would use these! Even my girlfriend said, "Cool!" I opened the box to check them out, and inside was...a shoebox. Ummmm, ok. I opened the shoebox to see the shoes, and inside was a wrapped present with an attached envelope.
I opened the envelope to see a receipt for a (you guessed it) NES CLASSIC MINI! I yelled out loud, "NO WAY." I opened the wrapping paper and there it was.A rare item, impossible to get, was in my hands.
My brother, who I have to thank the most for this, did all the work. He waited online around 5pm on the Wal-Mart website, when the flash sales took place. These sales would offer the NES Classic Mini for retail price, no more, no less. The receipt came with the gift as proof that no more than 60 dollars was spent on the gift.
I am thankful for everything that I got this year for Christmas, I truly am. I am a blessed individual, with people that love and care about me, and listen when I offer up ideas for presents.This Nintendo, however, really hit home the point that the magic of Christmas is still there, that that "joy" is never lost, even as you grow up. It happened to me this year. I'm sure it'll happen again. You just have to believe.
