Playstation childhood games of Brittany Thompson
A Platforming Past, Not a Gamer Present
Brittany Thompson's relationship with video games is defined not by current consoles or competitive leagues, but by the shimmering, nostalgic glow of a gray, late 90s machine: the PlayStation 1 (PS1). While she would not describe herself as a "gamer" today, her childhood was inextricably linked to a handful of colorful, three-dimensional platformers that represent the golden age of Sony's first console.
The PlayStation Era: Childhood Foundations
Born around the time the PlayStation was making its mark on the console landscape, Brittany's exposure to video games was casual and centered primarily in the family living room. The console was a fixture in the house, a source of entertainment that was as much a part of family leisure as Saturday morning cartoons or renting movies.
The 3D graphics of the PS1, revolutionary at the time, offered children a seemingly limitless cartoon world to explore. While her peers might have been delving into complex RPGs like Final Fantasy VII or action titles like Metal Gear Solid, Brittany's interest remained focused on a specific, accessible niche: the mascot platformer.
The Core Trilogy: Crash and Spyro
Brittany's definitive gaming memories revolve around three key franchises that were synonymous with the PS1's younger audience appeal:
- The Crash Bandicoot Trilogy (1, 2, and 3): Crash, the spunky marsupial mascot, provided the core platforming experience. She vividly recalls the exhilarating, forward-scrolling tunnel levels of the first game, finding the difficulty of the original a constant, yet rewarding, challenge. The sequels, Cortex Strikes Back and Warped, provided a variety of new moves (like the slide and belly-flop) and introduced fun elements like riding vehicles, which were a source of pure, unbridled entertainment.
- Spyro the Dragon: This franchise offered a more open-world, collect-a-thon alternative to Crash's linear stages. Brittany remembers the joy of soaring through the vibrant, richly colored environments and freeing the frozen dragons. The games, noted for their bright visuals and emphasis on exploration, offered a more relaxed and joyful experience, proving that not all great 3D games of the era had to be intensely stressful.
- Crash Team Racing (CTR): The kart racing spin-off was the essential multiplayer component of her childhood. Unlike the solitary platformers, CTR provided hours of frantic, couch co-op competition with friends and family. This game, specifically, cemented the console as a social centerpiece, a hub for communal, high-energy fun.
Nostalgia and Revisit: The Joy of Simplicity
As an adult, Brittany is not interested in current generation consoles, online play, or the intricate mechanics of modern AAA titles. Her professional and social life rarely intersect with the contemporary gaming world. However, like many non-gamers of her generation, the powerful pull of nostalgia for these PS1 classics remains strong.
Revisiting these games—often through re-releases or emulation—is not about seeking a new challenge; it's about accessing a direct line to her childhood. She appreciates the simplicity of the controls and the clear, bright art direction that holds up despite the low polygon count. Playing a level of Crash Bandicoot 2 is a form of time travel, instantly transporting her back to the excitement and innocence of her youth, where the only goal was smashing every box and collecting every Wumpa fruit. The lack of complexity and the focus on pure, well-designed level progression is what makes these retro classics remain special to her today.
These games, for Brittany Thompson, will always represent a beloved period of fun and discovery, defining her experience with the medium without ever making her a dedicated "gamer."
