Kotaku Inquires: What's Your Top Video Game Gift of All Time?

• Holiday reflection: all-time favorite gaming gift?
• Highlights from The Game Awards 2023
• Personal gaming story: Xbox 360 in 2006
• Childhood memories of consoles and desire for own
• Reader engagement: sharing favorite gaming gifts

A Holiday Reflection: Your Favorite Gaming Gift Ever?

As the holiday season wraps up, you might find yourself still tidying up your home and fridge from the festivities. But before diving back into your new toys, we have a question for you: what was your all-time favorite gift?

The Game Awards 2023 Highlights

Take a moment to revisit the best reveals from The Game Awards 2023. Feel free to share this video on your social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Email, Reddit, and more.

A Personal Gaming Story

This question is not limited to just the year 2023. It can be any gaming-related gift from any year. For instance, my most treasured gift was an Xbox 360. To fully explain why, I need to share a personal story about my late grandmother and Christmas of 2006.

A Childhood Filled with Consoles

Growing up, I always had consoles, but they were mostly hand-me-downs from my older siblings. I was often the youngest one with the controller disconnected while my sister played games like Jak and Daxter and Super Mario Bros. 3. As my sister, the only other gamer in the family, grew older and had her own kids, she would pass down her unused consoles to me. But I desired something that was truly mine.

The Allure of Xbox 360

When Microsoft took to the stage at E3 in mid-May 2005 to talk about the Xbox 360, I was completely captivated. The small white box, with its simple controller and diverse game selection, was a must-have for me. However, it was slightly out of budget for my grandmother, who didn't really understand video games. Despite my pleas, she didn't budge, so I thought that if I improved my school performance, she might reconsider. And I was right.

A Memorable Christmas in 2006

Fast forward a year to December 2006, the Xbox 360 had just reduced in price by around $50-$100. Perfect timing, I thought. I made a Christmas list with only three items: an Xbox 360, an extra controller, and a copy of the third-person shooter, Gears of War. My grandmother dismissed my list as extravagant and costly. But to my surprise, on Christmas Day, my best friend and I found exactly what I had asked for under the Christmas tree. We were overjoyed and spent the entire weekend playing Gears of War. It was the best gaming gift I ever received, and it set me on my current path.

A Tribute to My Grandmother

My grandmother is no longer with us, having passed away on July 13, 2022. I'm eternally grateful to her because without her, I wouldn't be who I am today.

Your Turn

So, dear readers, what was your favorite gaming-related gift? Do you have a story to go along with it? Let's share our experiences in the comments below.

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