Quick Take - Thankful for Gaming in 2023

Happy Thanksgiving!

So here we are in Thanksgiving 2023. I wanted to write a quick list of everything I’m thankful for in gaming. So here are ten things I’m thankful for (in no particular order):

My Family - Not necessarily a gaming-related item, but I wouldn’t be able to do this newsletter or enjoy video games without the understanding and support of my wife, who is not a gamer (unless you count complaining about Tom Nook in Animal Crossing). My daughter can be a handful, but I love her to death and hope to have some gaming moments with her as she grows older.

The Year in General - 2023 has been the most incredible year for gaming. Some of the greatest video games, from old IP and new, have come out this year. While it has felt overwhelming at times, I appreciate the historic year it’s been and know this only happens every so often.

Mario - I’ve always been a Mario fan, but the character’s success this year has only expanded my appreciation of the franchise and its impact on this medium I love. The movie was better than expected; the new take on 2D Mario and the reintroduction of an iconic game in Super Mario RPG were more than any fan could ask for.

Metroid Prime is Back! - Metroid Prime is my favorite game of all time. So Nintendo shadow-dropping a remaster (though the game looks like a full-blown remake) is definitely what I’m most thankful for this year. Replaying this gem just stamped why Metroid is my favorite video game franchise and why I can’t wait for the long-awaited fourth entry.

Final Fantasy - I got into Final Fantasy much later than most gamers, but it’s a franchise that has been catapulted to my top ten personal favorite franchises. Final Fantasy XVI delivered everything I wanted and more. Clive Rosfield and his supporting cast are some of the most memorable characters I’ve seen in gaming, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget.

Tears of the Kingdom - While Metroid is my favorite IP, The Legend of Zelda consistently delivers a great gaming experience, and 90% of the franchise’s games feel like a moment in time. So it makes sense that in a year like this, Nintendo would release what I feel is the best challenger to Ocarina of Time in Tears of the Kingdom. Admittedly, my hype levels for this game were lower than usual for a Zelda game, but this game came out of nowhere to become a contender for the greatest game of all time and gave me just as an amazing experience in my gaming life as Ocarina and Breath of the Wild did.

Game Pass - Xbox Game Pass continues to be the best deal in gaming. Thanks to Game Pass, I was able to play games like Lies of P, Starfield, and Sea of Stars. I cannot even begin to tell you how great of a service this has been for me, especially my budget. While I understand why some gamers are side-eying services like Game Pass, it’s one that works for my family and me, and for that, I am thankful.

The Expansion Beyond Boxes - This topic is bigger and more polarizing than you would think, but I’m all for it. I appreciate companies like Microsoft looking to make video games available beyond what plastic box you prefer. Sure, it comes with debates around consolidation and ownership of games, but I truly feel it’s for the best for the industry to go beyond a niche type of consumer to get the medium out to more people.

The Newsletter - Substack has given me a way to voice my opinion and research topics about video games. This lets me blow off steam and escape from a world that’s growing to be filled with so much horrible news. I am extremely thankful that I can sit down and type out these articles. I may not have a huge audience, but the fact anyone cares is really appreciated.

You! - I’m thankful for anyone who reads these and follows 1UP Vault on IG/Threads or even my personal account. I’m a pretty introverted guy, and this platform has helped me connect with some cool people. I even got to write an article for Good Games Casually. I know I can have some large gaps between articles, and I am working on that. I know I can expand 1UP Vault to be bigger, and that starts with you guys. I am thankful for you all.

So have a great Thanksgiving (at least for us Americans, lol). I hope your holiday and the coming holidays are filled with joy and great memories.