🎮 12 Games That Raised Us (And Probably Ruined Our Posture) 🕹️💀💺

A nostalgic (and slightly spinal) tribute to the games that shaped our childhoods and subtly conspired to turn us into hunched-over goblins with controller calluses and snack-dusted keyboards.

Let’s be real: these games raised us when our parents were busy, the world was confusing, or the only friends we had were pixelated and screamed "HADOUKEN!" at strangers. They also low-key wrecked our posture, but hey—worth it?

1. Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow – Game Boy Spine Edition 🧢🎒📱
   Raised us to believe that running away from home at 10 was normal if you had a Charmander.
   Posture impact: Hunched over a tiny greenish screen under the blanket at 2 AM, using the “worm light” like a goblin detective.

2. The Sims (Any Version) – The God Complex Simulator™ 🏠🔥🛏️
   Raised us to micromanage every aspect of life… including peeing.
   Posture impact: Neck craned, spine curved like a question mark, slowly becoming one with the ergonomic office chair you didn’t have.

3. Runescape – Clicking Rocks for Glory 🪨🐀🪓
   Raised us to grind endlessly for 99 Firemaking so strangers on the internet would say “gratz.”
   Posture impact: Sat motionless for hours with one finger clicking, the rest of the body atrophying like a neglected houseplant.

4. Mario Kart 64 – The Friendship Destroyer 🍌🚗💥
   Raised us to understand both joy and betrayal—especially when someone blue-shelled you at the finish line.
   Posture impact: Leaning way to the left during Rainbow Road as if your body could help steer. (It couldn't.)

5. Neopets – Early Financial Trauma With Fake Jelly 🐾🌈🍓
   Raised us to learn economics, HTML, and how to emotionally invest in a virtual dragon who always said, “your pet is dying of starvation.”
   Posture impact: One hand on the mouse, other cradling your sense of responsibility and guilt.

6. World of Warcraft – “Just One More Quest” Syndrome ⚔️🧙‍♂️🍗
   Raised us to believe we could do anything... except stop playing.
   Posture impact: From upright warrior to slumped dungeon crawler over 8 hours with only Mountain Dew and stale pizza to survive.

7. Dance Dance Revolution – The Brief Cardio Arc 💃🕺🎶
   Raised us to think we could be pro dancers… until level 7 hit and our legs said no.
   Posture impact: Surprisingly good! But only for 6 minutes before collapsing in a sweaty heap on the shag carpet.

8. Minecraft – Cubes, Creepers, and Cobbled Lives ⛏️🌲🎮
   Raised us to be architects, adventurers, and suspiciously attached to a blocky pig named “Greg.”
   Posture impact: Eyes 2 inches from screen, posture resembling a shrimp, spine slowly turning to pixel.

9. Tamagotchi – The Original Digital Anxiety 🥚💔💩
   Raised us to feel crushing guilt when we forgot to feed our virtual blob for 7 minutes.
   Posture impact: Curled around that keychain like a mama bird protecting her doomed digital child.

10. Counter-Strike 1.6 – Headshots & Heated LAN Fights 🔫🧠💣
    Raised us to trust no one, especially not Kyle who always camped the spawn.
    Posture impact: Permanent “lean toward screen” mode activated. Shoulders became earrings.

11. Animal Crossing – Debt Simulator in a Wholesome Wrapper 🍃🏡💸
    Raised us to believe a raccoon could be a landlord and also your best friend.
    Posture impact: Curled on the couch like a cinnamon roll, probably with a cup of tea and a deep sense of financial obligation.

12. Tetris – Spatial Reasoning + Existential Panic 🧱🌀🎵
    Raised us to crave organization… and then panic when things got too organized.
    Posture impact: Upright, clenched, and twitchy—mirroring the soundtrack’s rising intensity.

🧘‍♂️💫 Bonus Round: How’s Your Posture Now?
Straighten up, drink some water, stretch your shoulders, and honor the games that gave you childhood joy and chiropractor bills. 👾✨

Which game warped your spine and stole your heart? 💖 Let’s reminisce—and maybe invest in a standing desk together.