What's your favourite childhood gaming memory?

Enter Hyrule

Do you have a game that sticks out in your mind when you think of your childhood. That memory that you instantly go to before anything else? For me, it is walking onto Hyrule Field in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

I started really getting into Zelda series when Links Awakening was released. I must have used the worlds supply of double A batteries completing that game! I wopuld implore anyone to play it, particularly the remaster. Anyway, when I saw the advert for Ocarina of Time I was counting down the days to release. This was back when Christmas actually meant something for gamers and high profile titles would be held back to December.

I remember seeing the N64 game sized box under the tree, I couldn't wait. The game did not disappointment. It is a true masterpiece in terms of gameplay, sound and story. You start in the tutorial area of Kokiri Forest which is relatively small and easy to explore. There was no day and night cycle and it was just a taste of what's to come.

After leaving the Deku Tree your destiny starts to unfold and your search for Zelda begins. I can’t describe the feeling I had when Hyrule Field opened out in front of me, the Sun peeking over the horizon with Death mountain sitting ominously in the distance. The world was mine to explore. It was the first time I'd had such freedom in a game. Yes there is still a linear element to the story but coming from games where the goal was to get from point A to B, this was a real revolution and the first time a 3D world felt so real. From there I was absolutely hooked from beginning to end.

I still replay it now and again just to experience that magic one more time. So what is your go to gaming memory when you think of your childhood?