I was a junior in college before I owned a video game system. A friend gave me his old Sega Genesis. Played a lot of Aero the acrobat and Sonic.
Had a 2600, but grew up mostly on the original NES. It was incredible, we had so many games. I remember every time we had some money or a gift, we'd go to Toys'RUs and get the games from those little flip cards. So exciting, we'd be calling our friends as soon as we got Mike Tyson's punch out to share how we beat King Hippo, etc.
Played a lot of computer games. Kings Quest, the Secret of Monkey Island, etc. Also played Baron Realms Elite on the old BBS systems a shit ton. loved that. https://www.johndaileysoftware.com/products/bbsdoors/barrenrealmselite
inside games? well, then electric football. Lionel train sets. Electric race car tracks. Risk. Scuba men with soda tablets and little tiny steam engines outside? flag football; playing cards and clothes-pins to make my Schwinn bike go putt-putt-putt. Basketball with chain nets. Rocks and windows on abandoned buildings...got in trouble for that game. and finally, my favorite game became Sandy Myers and me in the back seat of my dad's car at the drive-in. I played variations of that game in variations of locations with variations of partners as much as I could for many many years
DOH!!! I completely forgot “doctor” with the neighbor girl......try topping that with a game console.....
I was pretty young when the Atari was out but I remember my dad having it and playing some games, but I really got into video games with the NES. Another reason I love being born when I was, got to still go outside and run around with friends all day long without any parents watching over us, but then got to come inside and play video games all night long. Started with a 2600 that my dad bought but like others, the NES was the system that I will forever remember and when people ask about the best christmas gifts I've ever gotten, that one is near the top of the list. Ironically I just bought a Switch on a good deal for BF and got MarioKart for free. I played it once (it's fun) but have spent 95% of my time online for it playing through NES games like Zelda, Tecmo Bowl and Punch Out.