I thought this would be a fun topic to share with each other in the community and any lurkers.
The earliest gaming memory I can think back on is a little fuzzy. I don't remember the year exactly, but I do know it was the late 80's. (I was born in '86.)
My dad came home from Toys 'R Us with my older brother, and they had a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. 2 fresh in their collective mitts. I can picture the tight shrinkwrap around the box, the hard plastic stuck to the shrinkwrap on the back at the top, where a hole was for the game to be hung on a store's display, just like a TMNT figure would be, and a bright blue sky with an impressive looking Mario on the cover. Can't forget "Mario Madness" in bold lettering.
My brother and I could never get past level 4-2. I think that's the one with all of the Flurry enemies on the ice, and those flying bird-like bastards that swoop in. That part always gave us grief as kids. Even now, seeing the whale section that comes after this once difficult and impossible to pass part of the game makes me go, "Wow. This is totally new!" As if I've never been there before, and still can't believe I've somehow passed that blasted section of 4-2.
Anyway, I hope this was a fun read and gets you inspired to share your own first gaming memories that you can recall!