The Nostalgia of Zelda

One of the first games I played on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was Super Mario Bros, which came together with the console as a bundle. It was bought in Bukit Timah Plaza and the shop space is now selling totally something else. This was more than 25 years ago of course. 

The other game which I will remember fondly is Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The cartridge was in pretty shiny gold and it cost a hefty $79. Back then, $80 is a lot and too much for a video game.

But for some reason, we were allowed to buy that and even more amazing is I spent hours and hours on it trying to beat a game which a review put that game as (different and with brutal difficulty). I did beat it, of course, along with all other games I ever owned (which was not a lot anyway) on the NES. But this game has a special place in my heart. I loved it.

Despite less than stellar reviews (and I can certainly see why), it was a game that challenged my thoughts and motor skills. This was about the late 80s.

Fast forward 30 years, I bought the same game, online, for $6. It was through the e-store of my Nintendo 3DS. And for a couple of hours last night, I was pounding the digital foes and feeling all the wonderful warmth generated by nostalgia to those carefree years.

I slept well.

Thanks, Link.

Funan

I may have just visited this old place for the last time on Thursday (5th May), before it’s renovation starting from June for 3 years. What did I buy? Printer ink for the officer injket/fax and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest for the 3DS, not that I should be buying more stuffs anyway but that discounted headphone was really tempting.

I have some “affectionate” memories of Funan. Back in early 90s, when I was about a freshman in Ngee Ann Poly, and arcade centres were just about the most common thing in Singapore, I was a frequent visitor to Funan. Not a lot of place elsewhere had this big ass arcade machine which had Virtua Fighter, at $1 a go. I also made some friends who were also Virtua Fighter players. In a way, it molded me socially. “Challenge?”. I even had McD with couple of them during our play breaks.

The McD of Funan is now Old Street Bah Kut Teh. The arcade centre was located right at the top floor, before Challenger took the floor space over and offered 24 hour shopping before deciding that Singaporeans were generally not that nocturnal then for them to do that. They are still there and even as this writing, they are offering discounts for the goods they are too lazy to move out for the renovation.

I wish I remembered more of Funan now that I know its going to be torn down. But then again, most of my IT shopping were done at Sim Lim Square anyway. I guess Funan for me, will be remembered in this very unique way.