This Friday's topic is Gateway Fandoms that made me who I am today. I feel as though I could list off dozens of movies and games I've grown to love, but I'm digging deeper on my top 5 list. Most of my gateway fandoms come from childhood, and I believe led to so many of my current obsessions in pop culture today.
Chip's Challenge and Commander Keen
Computer games were definitely my gateway into playing video games. While my brother was hogging the NES, I was navigating through puzzles and bouncing around on a virtual pogo stick. I still play both of these games and get completely enthralled all over again.
Disney
Some of my earliest memories are of Disney. Dancing around the living room to Sing-A-Long VHS tapes, wearing Minnie polka-dot pants, and refusing to take a family photo without my Rolly Polly dalmatian. If there's one thing that's never changed, it's that I love Disney.
I Love Lucy
I grew up watching a lot of TV Land...by choice. I Love Lucy has to be my favorite out of all the shows. I still collect memorabilia and completely adore Lucille Ball. The Munsters, I Dream of Jeannie, and Laverne & Shirley are right behind too. There is something so magical and soothing about these classic shows to me.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Four handsome turtles guided me to embrace being myself in high school. I felt like I fit in more wearing a TMNT backpack and doing ninja moves in the hallways, because it's who I am. When I explore my own imagination, I feel the most comfortable. Whoa- I'm getting sentimental...also pizza!
My last obsession is from more recent times. I played Animal Crossing on Gamecube, but Animal Crossing New Leaf on 3DS is where most of my free time is spent. Adorable little characters in an adorable little village. Kawaii overload. I even dyed my own hair pink, because of how much I love my character in the game! (That's her in the photo getting coffee)
There you have it. The 5 Gateway Fandoms that made me who I am today. What are your fandom influences?
OH MY GOD. I loved Chip's Challenge and Commander Keen when I was a kid! I haven't thought about either of those games in ages!!!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH! Chip's Challenge! I'm overjoyed that there are other people in this universe who are fond of this game. The people I associate with outside the realm of the interwebs have never heard of it, and I'm flabbergasted by this. I also have strong feelings for the game that came with Encarta 95-- Mindemaze.
ReplyDeleteI've always felt the same way! I try to explain random games I played to people and most times they don't recognize any. Love that you played too! The Encarta Encyclopedia was awesome. I don't remember playing Mindmaze, but I'm a big fan of the educational kids' games :)
DeleteTMNT was the highlight of my Saturday mornings growing up! These reboots have nothing on that version :)
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