@Sev7nth_WaveJanuary 29, 2025
It's 2003, only a few days before Christmas and our family goes to Walmart to go grocery shopping and to check for Christmas deals. My sister and I already know where to go off to (electronics/videogames department) and we see all the cool games that are on display. There's a few older kids/teenagers playing on the consoles next to the Gameboy Advance section, and my sister and I watch them play. I hear my mom comment saying that the Xbox was on sale for only $100 and it comes with a free game (Forza Motorsport). My Dad just looks around and talks to my Mom as we just look at the other kids play. We've already gotten the groceries for the Christmas Party and are about to head home, and it's just me and my Mom pushing the cart towards the checkout line. My Dad and sister are missing, and I didn't think much of it because my Mom was talking to me about "Next time, we will buy it..." But just a few minutes later, I see my Dad carrying a big box and then my sister carrying two DVD cases.
From that day on, my excitement was through the roof. My sister showed me what was in her hands and it was two games: 'Halo: Combat Evolved' and 'The Sims: Urbz'. My interest was focused on the "Xbox Only" and "Microsoft Xbox's Killer App" game. I knew nothing about the game, but I did know there was GUNS in it hahaha.
My Mom gift wrapped the console and games, putting it under the tree. It was only just Christmas Eve and I was sneaking under the tree, ogling at the Xbox present/packages. Not even 30 minutes until midnight, me and my sister snuck into the living room to pull the Xbox Present and Games, still wrapped up (but of course, we already knew) and sneakily started tearing away at the wrapping. We both decided to sneak them into our room, Christmas Day, at around 6AM in the morning and unwrapped the presents fully; Set the Xbox up all by ourselves and play 'Halo: Combat Evolved' for the first time. I was hooked playing the very first mission. I'll always remember this game..