I spent the evening babysitting for the 7 year old across the street. He tends to feel entitled to lots of attention (only child with very attentive parents). I'm never quite sure what to do with him, as I feel like I have to keep him entertained. Board games are no fun because he cheats like crazy and pouts if you call him on it. I didn't just want to plop him in front of the TV, and there was no way I wanted to do something crazy physical like have lightsaber battles.
In the end, we went old school and spent the evening reviewing the finer works of the Mario genre during the SNES years (Super Nintendo Entertainment System for all the non-geeks out there). We played Marios 1 & 3 (Nintendo games revived on the "All-Star" combination game) and Super Mario. We also hit up some MarioKart action.
It was actually a lot of fun. I love playing video games, and I have a fun time playing things that are more familiar. Somehow, the uber-3D graphics of today's systems are often confusing to me. I love the low-tech, comforting familiarty of the games I've played since I was 6.
That said, I also did get a new game console this week. A year ago, I gave my brother my xbox so that I'd actually be able to pass my last semester of college (I was pretty addicted). Recently, I've been pining for some of my old games. I mentioned this while I was in New Zealand, and Josh reminded me that everything I like playing is also available on the gamecube (the most recent Nintendo system until they release their upcoming Wii). As the gamecube is significantly cheaper than the xbox, I got one (and for a pretty minimal cash outlay, I might add). I'm still collecting games, so all I've played so far is Legend of Zelda. I'm looking forward to getting back in to Tony Hawk (skateboarding) and all the new Mario games. Should be a fun way to pass some free time this summer and in grad school.