This Week in Video-Game History: December 19-25

Across the globe, children have historically spent this week in a state of perpetual restlessness, waiting for December 25 to finally arrive. Well, that's in predominately Christian countries, anyway. In some places this is just another week in which to release games and consoles and make a bit of cash. This week in video-game history is all about those brave companies who don't care if they release Cho Aniki on Christmas Day.

December 20

1987: Phantasy Star is released on the Sega Master System. Perhaps you should spend the day playing it?

2001: Ikaruga hits Japanese arcades to the delight of masochistic bullet-hell shooter fans.

2004: Cave Story is released and inspired such horrors like the one below:

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q1r31g4Ki8"

December 22

1960: Kazuo Hirai is born. He's the current chairman and group chief executive officer of sony computer entertainment.

December 23

1994: The PC FX is released in Japan. You might know it better as the TurboGrafx 16.

1994: The Street Fighter movie is released. Street Fighter the Movie (the game) was released a little bit later....

1997: Gran Turismo is released in Japan.

December 24

1988: Mega Man 2 is released.

December 25

1992: The first Cho Aniki game is released -- in Japan, of course. It didn't see of proper Western release until 2008. This series is infamous for its homoerotic visuals and completely ridiculous level design.

1998: The Internet-famous Nintendo 64 kids get their beloved console. They must hate every person on Earth who continues mentioning that video....

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFlcqWQVVuU"

Tags: Mega Man 2, Cho Aniki, Gran Turismo, Phantasy Star, Cave Story, Ikaruga, Street Fighter: The Movie, This Week in Video-Game History

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Michael Pangelina

December 19, 2010

I want that video played at my funeral.

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Ed Grabowski

The funny thing to me is that I had an even bigger reaction to getting an N64 on Christmas day when I was 14 years old. I screamed, much like the kid in the video, and ran around the living room while my dog Cleo (RIP) chased me around barking and eventually tripped me. I went flying on the ground, got back up and resumed screaming my head off.

After opening up that N64 you would think no other present could top it that year, but I proceeded to open up a ton of games for it, each one better than the last. It is one of the greatest holiday memories. I also got a Dreamcast a few Christmas's later, but my reaction was calmed at that point (I was 16 after all). I then got a PS2 for my birthday, a DS for Christmas, a PSP for Christmas, a PS3 for Christams, and an Xbox 360.

I love my family, lol. I never had to buy my own console, which saved me a ton of money and allowed my to instead spend it on all of the games I want. At 26 years old today, I am afraid to think about how my life would be if I never got that N64 that Christmas morning.