My mum's an iconic figure in our family - not because of her impressive collection of dad jokes or her uncanny ability to cook the perfect roast chicken, but because she's a gaming legend. Specifically, when it comes to Wii Bowling.
It all started back in the 2000s when my mum was the undisputed queen of the digital lane. Her skills were unmatched, and I mean that in the best possible way. She'd strike after strike after strike, leaving me (and everyone else) in awe of her prowess.
As she returned to our home from a visit to Canada, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to rekindle an old rivalry. We fired up the Nintendo Switch Sports version of Wii Bowling, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Would my 76-year-old mum still be unbeatable? Or had she finally succumbed to the inevitable - her legendary skills slipping away with age?
The new game's bowling mechanics are still as simple yet addictive as ever, making it an instant winner in our eyes. My mum was less than impressed with the updated Mii characters, however. She much preferred the quirky, retro aesthetic of the Wii originals.
Her biggest gripe, though, was the size of the Joy-Con controllers compared to the Wii remote. "I'm happier with something bigger in my hands," she cackled, clearly a woman who knows what works for her.
We played a few rounds together, and it was clear that while my mum's skills had never truly faded, they'd certainly mellowed out over the years. We chatted about old times - our gaming high school days, when my mum introduced me to the world of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (a revelation, I must say).
As we reminisced, it dawned on me just how much my life has been shaped by my mum's love for gaming. She encouraged my interest in computer programming and even taught me the basics herself back in the 80s.
As the evening drew to a close, I realized that while winning at Wii Bowling was nice, the real prize was spending quality time with my mum. We may not have beaten each other's high scores or exchanged playful jabs, but we'd created new memories together - ones that would outlast any digital victory or defeat.
As I put down the controller and shut off the game, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this special moment with my mother. And who knows? Maybe one day she'll finally best me at Street Fighter II (though I've got a feeling I'll still be reigning supreme).
It all started back in the 2000s when my mum was the undisputed queen of the digital lane. Her skills were unmatched, and I mean that in the best possible way. She'd strike after strike after strike, leaving me (and everyone else) in awe of her prowess.
As she returned to our home from a visit to Canada, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to rekindle an old rivalry. We fired up the Nintendo Switch Sports version of Wii Bowling, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Would my 76-year-old mum still be unbeatable? Or had she finally succumbed to the inevitable - her legendary skills slipping away with age?
The new game's bowling mechanics are still as simple yet addictive as ever, making it an instant winner in our eyes. My mum was less than impressed with the updated Mii characters, however. She much preferred the quirky, retro aesthetic of the Wii originals.
Her biggest gripe, though, was the size of the Joy-Con controllers compared to the Wii remote. "I'm happier with something bigger in my hands," she cackled, clearly a woman who knows what works for her.
We played a few rounds together, and it was clear that while my mum's skills had never truly faded, they'd certainly mellowed out over the years. We chatted about old times - our gaming high school days, when my mum introduced me to the world of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (a revelation, I must say).
As we reminisced, it dawned on me just how much my life has been shaped by my mum's love for gaming. She encouraged my interest in computer programming and even taught me the basics herself back in the 80s.
As the evening drew to a close, I realized that while winning at Wii Bowling was nice, the real prize was spending quality time with my mum. We may not have beaten each other's high scores or exchanged playful jabs, but we'd created new memories together - ones that would outlast any digital victory or defeat.
As I put down the controller and shut off the game, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this special moment with my mother. And who knows? Maybe one day she'll finally best me at Street Fighter II (though I've got a feeling I'll still be reigning supreme).