I was going to write a column and bitch about some game-related stuff that was on my mind, when I got to thinking about how I too often focus on the negative side of gaming. Well, not today my friends; today I share with you some of the many things I love about video games and my job covering them.

I love…

The feeling of an old-school NES controller.

The sound of Sonic the Hedgehog losing his rings.

The memory of blowing a dude away in GoldenEye: Rogue Agent at E3 and then looking over and seeing that the “dude” was Shigeru Miyamoto.

Sitting on my horse and staring up at the stars on a clear night in Red Dead Redemption.

The fact that I still don’t know the letters and exact location of all of the buttons on the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.

That most game-related press events have meat on a stick.

Custom Xbox 360 faceplates.

That I was able to work with writer-turned-developer Greg Kasavin, if only for a short time.

The memory of playing Combat on the Atari 2600 with my sister and how we named the largest plane “Big Momma.”

When developers are willing to say interesting things on the record.

Helping friends pick out a game while on a limited budget.

Cheating at Duck Hunt by holding the gun two inches from the TV.

Making a fallen opponent dance in Killer Instinct.

Catching up with former GameSpot co-workers and remembering the “good ol’ days.”

Trying to bang all of the chicks in the Mass Effect series. Yep, I’m that guy.

When someone tells me that they enjoy my writing.

Andrew Hiscock’s unique articles for reminding me that it's OK to do something different.

Stumbling across a pinball machine that has a free game on it.

Playing Pac-Man Vs. with three friends.

That every press release is basically written in the same way.

Stealing jets and flying around the beautiful island of Panau in Just Cause 2.

Receiving a retail copy of a 360 game early and getting achievements before anyone else.

That I work for a site where I can write a list like this, and that our community will enjoy reading it.

Now it’s your turn. Share some of the things you love below, or, if you’re inspired, write an entire article and share the link with everyone in the comments.