So, the other day I was updating the list of games that I owned (basically keeping stock for bragging rights). After adding in my recently purchased games, I added up the total. I came upon a shocking discovery. I was sitting at 499 games (disc/cartridge based. I do not count digitally downloaded games like my copy of Noby Noby Boy on PSN, etc).

I was on the precipice of one of the bigger milestones as a game collector. The big 500. What game will go down as the special number 500? Many thoughts went through my mind. Do I get something more rare and collectable, like Earthbound or Chrono Trigger? Do I get something I’ve enjoyed playing, like Twisted Metal 2 or Guitar Hero: Metallica? Do I get something older and more antiquated, like Excitebike or Mega Man 2?

I felt like the 500th game to go into my collection needed to define me as a gamer. I searched several areas, both brick and mortar and online. I compared prices, shopped around, thought it out. Many games raced through my mind, the above mentioned plus quite a few others.

I took open suggestions and got back mostly sarcastic answers. Names like Trigger Man, Daikatana, and Littlest Pet Shop were dropped. Those were immediately disregarded. My collection means something to me. I like to think that at least 98% of my collection is quite excellent. I don’t want to litter it with trash like Superman 64 or Bomberman: Act Zero.

I couldn’t settle on one, I kept switching and debating. Until, on the phone one day, my sister says something that catches my ear. Herzog Zwei. When we were younger, my family would often visit my aunt who lived in the same town as us. She kept a Sega Genesis on hand and we wasted many hours playing Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Herzog Zwei, and Sonic Spinball.

Herzog Zwei. A game that called back nostalgia, great memories lost in my youth. It was older, more antiquated. It was something I always loved playing. Yes. This was it. This helped define me as a gamer. Herzog Zwei was I and I was Herzog Zwei.

I now look at my “collection”. I feel proud. Not for being a dork or for squandering my money. It’s something I feel I could one day pass on to my child and go, “This is what I was about. This was me as a gamer. Many memories are stored in these games.” For my child to experience and share the same memories I have had would bring great joy to me.

I would have included a list of the 500 if not for fear of breaking Bitmob.