By Mike Loder 

When our family got a PC for Dad’s work, we entered a new era. Having access to floppy disks and CD-ROMs was a game-changer ahead of the internet age. My sister, Sammy, and I would bundle onto the same office chair to play games together—or rather, she would play while I mostly watched. I was rarely allowed to take control, but it was so engaging to watch her navigate the colorful worlds.

Looking back, Sam was incredibly good at using the computer. She was what some might call an “iPad kid” if that had existed in the ’90s. Adept at clicking on icons and starting games, it’s impressive to think we were no older than six or seven at the time.

The PC, running Windows 95, became our gateway to endless adventures. Jazz Jackrabbit was one of the first games I recall playing—a colorful little platformer with amazing music!

Almost a decade later, while playing Gears of War, I learned that the developer, Cliff Bleszinski, had worked on Jazz Jackrabbit. Someone even slipped an Easter egg referencing it into Fortnite!

Sammy would hop around as that little green rabbit, smashing the space bar to shoot at evil turtles (a common enemy in that era of gaming). 

 On the go

We were also Game Boy kids, fortunate enough to enjoy the Game Boy Pocket with its translucent casing—until it was tragically lost in an airplane seat. I was absolutely heartbroken.

I remember kids crowding around the Game Boy screen, where you had to balance the light just right to see what was happening. Of course, kids always managed to block the screen with their heads! (I was that kid for my sister) 

Pokémon Yellow was our first Pokémon game, which we got around the same time the anime was airing on Cheez TV in the early mornings on Channel 10. We even named our character after our pet cat, Sasha. 

A console generation

But it wasn’t just the PC. Our sibling rivalry truly blossomed on the Nintendo 64.

I have vivid memories of ripping out controllers mid-race in Mario Kart 64—once even breaking one by accident—just to gain the upper hand. Sammy, of course, never let me live that down.

Don't tell me who you are ... which Mario Kart character to do you select?

Another classic (one that actually brought us together) was Banjo-Kazooie. This game had a huge impact on my childhood and my love for video games. Exploring its vibrant world inspired curiosity and creativity. 

I treated every outing as a level, imagining myself as Banjo, climbing, jumping, and running about. 

There is so much about this game that brought my sister and I together and so many memories I have with it long after she stopped playing it (a reflection for another time.) 

Banjo Kazooie would go on to influence my love of character and the importance of music/soundtracks

The game’s protagonists, Banjo and Kazooie, were a duo—just like my sister and me. Banjo-Kazooie also sparked my love for character-driven stories and the importance of music and soundtracks.

Years later, I was fortunate enough to interview Grant Kirkhope, the composer of Banjo-Kazooie. He was an absolute joy to speak with, and I was gobsmacked when he said yes to the interview.

I couldn’t stop gushing as we unpacked what made his music so iconic. I even told him how my friends and I used to play the GoldenEye multiplayer music in the background during our Halo nights for that classic vibe.

Grant was an absolute team player the whole time (this was around the time he was working on Mario & Rabbids 2)

Toys as games

Sammy and I were the perfect age for both gaming and physical toys to capture our attention. A few stand out as core memories—items that lingered in our childhood home for years before they regrettably vanished during a spring clean. 

 Our grandmother in the U.S. sent us both Furbies before they landed in Australia. These were so popular and so strange! I still remember the whirring and clicking as their little faces blinked and chirped. While Sammy loved her Furby, I wasn’t quite sure about mine—something about those big, dead eyes watching me didn’t sit right. 

I was far more interested in my remote-controlled car, which was way too powerful for me to drive effectively at the age of seven.

Then came the wave of Tamagotchi and Digimon, the must-have toys of the schoolyard. I remember saving up all my pocket money to buy a Digimon because Sammy had one, and I wanted us to raise and battle the little creatures together.

Mine died pretty quickly, and I abandoned it for my Game Boy. 

Outside of traditional collectibles like TY Beanie Babies and Pokémon cards (which deserve their own retrospective) was the Brick Game Tetris knockoff. These little devices came out of nowhere, feeling oddly grown-up and corporate, like a calculator.

They earned a place in our car trip entertainment line up, as a back up to our favoured Game Boy.

 Another title that caught our imaginations was The Sims. Playing The Sims was one of those little rituals that showed the promise of cosy gaming. 

Sammy always took the lead, showing me how to build houses, keep our Sims happy (or not), and, most importantly, how to cheat the system.

I still remember her typing “rosebud” into the cheat bar, followed by a string of exclamation marks, conjuring endless cash like some kind of digital wizard. 

It was my first taste of gaming shortcuts, and in a way, she was my first real co-op partner—guiding me through the joys of bending the rules just enough to make the game even more fun. 

The memories of those early days still resonate. They remind me of how gaming can be both a point of connection and an outlet for sibling drama.

It wasn't all smiles and laughter like the perfect Nintendo family might suggest - we would fight (quite intensely at times) and in one moment of passion and anger she erased my save file on Super Smash Bros.

An absolute catastrophy for me at the time, having battled my way through the entire game to unlock all the hidden players (this memory came to me during the writing of this) ... I guess time heals all wounds but the reaction at the time probably looked like this.

 Flash forward to 2025, and both of us have entered our thirties and live in different countries. 

Sammy and I still try to find time to play Mario Kart when we she visits, but with juggling the challenges of adult life, it can be hard to find the time... for now.

Today, we are closer than ever before - helping each other with creative projects, and spending time delving into deep discussions reflecting on our shared childhood histories. 

I often reflect on our days gaming, and am so glad to have shared the treasured memories of a 90s upbringing with her. In many ways it was like we were growing up at the same pace as the industry itself. 

One day, I hope Sammy and I can pass on the fun and gaming wisdom we built together to my nieces, sparking a new generation of friendly competition and family fun.