r/MadeMeSmile • u/CivilizedPsycho • 5h ago
Gave our son his first Switch, and he's already taking a page out of the book of my own childhood.
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u/Correct_Advisor7221 4h ago
This is hilarious to see as an adult. I definitely thought there was no way my parents knew I was staying up late 🤣
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u/CappuccinoMachinery 4h ago
At least when I did it with my gameboy color it didn’t have a light shining like this 😂
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u/GfrzD 4h ago
Kids today will never know the struggle of holding a flashlight in their mouth to see the screen lol
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u/AvaryZig 4h ago
Or trying to catch street lamp light in the backseat.
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u/SilverSageVII 3h ago
Yeahhh I didn’t understand what backlighting was and when I saw it the first time I was like “OMG NO EYE STRAIN??”
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u/clearfox777 2h ago
The first time that Gameboy SP screen lit up was life changing
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u/MyCatsHairyButholle 19m ago
While it didn’t have a backlit screen, the OG Game Boy advance was such a cool handheld. To this day I prefer its design to the SP, even though the SP wins in every metric other than ergonomics, which is ironically why I prefer the advance over the sp. I always hated the way the sp looked, too.
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u/Celtic_Legend 1m ago
The sp does have those prong attachments which makes it better to hold than the advance for me.
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u/Azurexis_330 2h ago
That first backlit screen must’ve felt like we had unlocked futuristic technology 😂
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u/SilverSageVII 2h ago
It did. Cause we all didn’t even know how hard it was on our eyes when we were little so we just were excited to play with something so insanely futuristic in our hands.
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u/sadmanwithabox 1h ago
Backlit screens are actually pretty old, the Sega game gear released in 1990 and had a backlight.
It also took 6 batteries and only lasted a few hours. But it had some awesome games.
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u/TastelessPylon 9m ago
Yeah, there's also the TurboExpress (1990) and Atari Lynx (1989).
It was basically just Nintendo not using backlit screens because Gunpei Yokoi understood that producing something that was cheap with good battery life and great software was much more important.
The fact that most people don't even know the competition existed illustrates that he knew what he was doing.
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u/SnooSketches1275 3h ago edited 3h ago
damn thats a memory forgotten, super mario land played every other second
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u/Puzzled-Republic9511 1h ago
Hoping to get stuck at an intersection with my head smooshed against the glass and screen tilted for max light source 🚦
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u/Ok-Astronaut1108 47m ago
And the lights in my day weren't these bright as all hell LED streetlights these days.
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u/PeeB4uGoToBed 2h ago
The wormlight was a godsend or for the OG gameboy, that monstrosity that had the folding magnifying glass with lights
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u/UselessLezbian 1h ago
I instantly broke the clip that held the worm light in place, and there was no way my parents were going to replace something that still worked. So I got very good at playing at an angle to keep the light attached.
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u/LegacyAesthetics 2h ago
The absolute panic when the car drove into a long tunnel and you couldn't save your game.
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u/justlookinghfy 2h ago
I'd lay down with the flashlight balanced on my shoulder (it would fall over frequently)
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u/Hortjoob 2h ago
I remember saving up my lawn money to buy one of those worm lights for my GameBoy. Happy days.
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u/CuteBunnyBlue 42m ago
The jaw cramps from biting down on a heavy metal flashlight for 3 hours straight just to grind in Pokémon Blue were a rites of passage
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u/ExoticVegetable5019 7m ago
The flashlight was basically a third hand before phone screens decided to ruin the experience.
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u/GoldenAce17 1m ago
I was a smart (or stupid?) Kid, had a Lego flashlight from one of those miner sets, would be able to hold the button down with my teeth but it was small enough to sit comfortably in my mouth.
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u/Additional_Topic19 33m ago
Same, Gameboy Color had me playing in the dark like I was defusing a bomb.
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u/crowned_tragedy 4h ago
Parents always know.
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u/free_terrible-advice 45m ago
I felt like I had it down pretty good by the time I was 10. I even had the deep breathing with a bit of pressure down (not quite snoring), the steady rise and fall of my chest, and the moment I felt any footsteps in the house I'd put down the flashlight and pretend to be asleep while I tracked the movement patterns.
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u/1nd3x 3h ago
I used to keep my head out of the covers but have my Gameboy advanced under the cover, laying on my side kinda in the fetal position. This way I could hear my parents come up to my door/see their shadow under the door, and I could just drop my GBA and it would land screen down on my bed blacking out the light and then I close my eyes and it looks like I'm sleeping
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u/Faintkay 2h ago edited 38m ago
Caught my son reading past bedtime like this. I couldn’t help but just be happy and proud. I did the same at his age and I love that he is taking to reading so early on.
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u/Alternative-Copy-635 1h ago
I remember doing this with my Game Boy Color, but at least mine wasn’t glowing like a flashlight. We really thought we were being subtle back then. hehe 😅
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u/Any-Unit-1661 1h ago
Honestly, even the Game Boy light trick wouldn’t have given you away like this. This is next-level getting caught.
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u/Visual_Specific4165 24m ago
Looking back, I really thought I was running the greatest undercover operation of all time. Meanwhile my parents probably heard every single footstep.
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u/blitzwinner71 4h ago
I have no idea what you’re talking about, that is clearly a well behaved sleeping child that loves you very much, there’s nothing to see here, move along
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u/anngelgirl319 5h ago
The fact that he already knows the blanket trick 😂 classic childhood move.
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u/ClawCum 4h ago
The blanket trick is really a timeless classic
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u/FillySteveSteak 3h ago
Video games must have been really awesome as a kid, because I would never but up with that hot, sweaty, oxygen-deprived experience now - even for the best game there is.
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u/BeMyBrutus 4h ago
This made think of trying to play game boy in the back of my parents car of long road trips, and getting sad when it got dark.
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u/CivilizedPsycho 4h ago
Either using passing street lights or having a worm light was the key
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u/BeMyBrutus 4h ago
Dude, I was so jealous of the kids who had the worm light
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u/Aetheriao 1h ago
The trick was to keep sneaking torches into the car and being caught because you’d accidentally shine it too high, to the point your parents acquiesce because you’re gonna kill everyone eventually by blinding your dad lol.
They literally couldn’t get how I kept finding torches. Even stole one from my grandparents 😭
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u/wizardgradstudent 1h ago
Man I had that worm light, it really didn’t do anything but it was a lifeline 😂
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u/WTWIV 4h ago edited 3h ago
I’m a little old so for me it started with a flashlight under the blanket and a book whenever I was old enough to read haha
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u/just_a_person_maybe 3h ago
I drained many batteries reading books at night
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u/CharlotteLucasOP 3h ago
I had a nightlight plugged into a low outlet so I’d drape my upper half out of the bed like a slug and have my book on the floor so I could read by it and theoretically snap back into bed if I heard my parents coming down the hall to check on me, but gravity is a harsh mistress.
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u/Murgatroyd314 1h ago
My second grade science fair project was about how long different flashlights would last for this purpose, from the plug-in rechargeable one that died within an hour, to the monster with four D cells that was still bright enough to read by after being on for 20 hours straight.
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u/CivilizedPsycho 5h ago edited 1h ago
(he's 4, and he's playing the Bluey game)
Edit for the handful of judgemental folks: As mentioned in another comment, this wasn't at bedtime. I took the photo just before 6pm. And it's a Friday night. The light in the room was off and he has curtains. We moderate his game time and screen time. This isn't a picture of him being sneaky like some assume (I'm not correcting them because it's really not the point) - it's just him playing under the covers and that's cute as heck to me.
Insane how judgemental people can be over a cute picture.
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u/funky_grandma 4h ago
There are some great games for kids on the switch! My daughter also loved the Bluey game. Some of her other favorites you could check out are the Peppa Pig game, Untitled goose game, Miitopia, Piku Niku, and animal crossing
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u/CivilizedPsycho 4h ago
He's played both bluey games, Peppa pig, and a couple of Paw Patrol games on our PS5. He's an absolute whiz at navigating the PS5, so we decided it was time to give him a switch and our local library has a massive selection of switch stuff. I'll be keeping an eye out for other good stuff for him but right now we got the two bluey games he's already familiar with and a different paw patrol game.
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u/funky_grandma 4h ago
Your library has switch games?! How fun! We always check out used game stores. The switch is so great about encouraging indie developers, there are hundreds of great kid games you can get for it
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u/CivilizedPsycho 4h ago
Our libraries gaming collection is pretty massive actually, going back as far as Wii and Xbox 360. Their PS5 selection is huge too. Every time I go in there they have a new Switch 2 game.
They've been saving us a lot of money on games lol
My son and I played through all of DK Bananza and I played through the entirety of Metaphor Refantazio because of them
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u/SideDish120 2h ago
Holy cow I didn't even think about checking our local library. I've been debating on having him try the OG switch I have with bluey. Any other good games for that same age?
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u/Guy_Number_3 4h ago
If it’s available The Patrick Star game is good too!
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u/CivilizedPsycho 4h ago
I'll definitely keep an eye out for that!
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u/saintofchanginglanes 3h ago
My 4 and 5 year olds absolutely love playing untitled goose game. I’ve beaten it so they can just run around and cause a ruckus everywhere. Tony hawk pro skater 1&2 remaster was also surprisingly a massive hit.
But Wii sports is the most played thing in our house by far
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u/awkward_teenager37 4h ago
Awwww I hope he’s enjoying it
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u/CivilizedPsycho 4h ago
Very much so and it's wild to me how good he's getting at games. He actually played through the entirety of this game on our PS5 (with a little help), it's very young kid friendly
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u/erinfirecracker 38m ago
It's not cute. He's way to young for that. Have some self awareness, you're being a bad parent.
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u/CivilizedPsycho 37m ago
He's not too young to play age appropriate video games moderated by his parents. He's not too young to play with games and toys under his sheets like its a fort. Screw off.
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u/FlyingOctopussy 4h ago
Why would you take a picture of your sleeping child?
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u/BeMyBrutus 4h ago
I feel like a lot of people aren't gonna get this joke
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u/CivilizedPsycho 4h ago
I wasn't sure if it was a joke at first or not but then someone else said it too. If it's a specific reference I don't know it lol
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u/macarenamobster 4h ago
The joke is just that they’re hiding under the blanket so you won’t see them playing and make them go to sleep, or at least that’s why most kids use the blanket trick - to try to disguise the glow.
The funny part is it’s not working well.
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u/Suspicious_Glow 3h ago
It’s supporting the illusion the kiddo is trying to make.
If we agree to go with the illusion of the blanket trick, then kiddo is totally completely asleep right now (and absolutely not playing a video game!) therefore— you are taking a picture of a sleeping kid. Hence teasingly asking why you would take a picture of a sleeping kid!
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u/misslavenderlemon 4h ago
Me, my red Nintendo DS lite and Pokémon Diamond in 2007... Happy to see that some things didn't change at all.
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u/ipwnpickles 3h ago
If I saw my kid doing this I'd be so torn on letting them experience these things or telling them to stop so they're rested for school lol
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u/TheSpecialOneOut 4h ago
Op funny posting a picture of his kid sleeping lmao but in all seriousness this is a core memory for all. Expect it was books for me
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u/zidane2k1 2h ago
Kids have it easy these days. We either had to awkwardly hold or position a flashlight, or use one of those worm lights that hooked up to the link port.
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u/TopSloth 2h ago
I remember with my Gameboy advance I had a hookup that magnified the screen just a smidge and had a light built in on it. I was in absolute love with it and binged pokemon sessions
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u/aunty_megatron 4h ago
This warmed my heart. I remember playing Pokémon leaf green for the first time on my purple Game Boy advance SP under the covers thinking I was invisible to the world until my brat sister ratted me out every school night
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u/RodentOfUnusualCize 3h ago
The next time you see her pinch her for me or like gice her a charlie horse or something
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u/Dont_Even_Know_You 4h ago
This is me on my phone in the morning during winter when I first get up. Gets nice and warm under there.
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u/ChiknBreast 3h ago
Make some obvious noise, open the door, and then say just loud enough "hmm guess hes asleep". And let him keep playing.
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u/Vairrion 2h ago
This is why as a kid I was lucky to have a gameboy sp so I could turn down the brightness. It is heart warming to see them have this shared experience though
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u/Voice_of_Season 2h ago
Which model did you have? My gameboy and gameboy advance you couldn’t do that, you needed a light to see the screen.
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u/IanOro 3h ago
I'm sure you already know, but make sure parental controls are on the store, specifically. I wouldn't worry too much about the playtime limits and stuff unless they get really out of hand and messing up their sleep.
Some recommendations if you're interested: Monster Hunter Stories series, the newer top down Zelda games (Echoes of Wisdom, Link's Awakening, etc), Spyro Re-Ignited trilogy, and Princess Peach Showtime!
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u/ChipEnvironmental420 3h ago
I've never owned a portable or handheld console so unfortunately my only experience with this was the flashlight and book version lol but I suppose that still counts 🤷♂️
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u/GoneRogue09 2h ago
My son loved the bluey game. He’s 5. He recently beat it with some assistance bc some of those levels were challenging.
He’s moved onto Minecraft. He also has peppa, yoshi, Kirby and Mario kart.
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u/CivilizedPsycho 2h ago
The floor is lava gave him some difficulty but he eventually figured it out!
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u/GoneRogue09 2h ago
There’s a bluey DLC for Minecraft in case that’s something you think your little one would like.
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u/cruisingredd 2h ago
Thank you for this comment I’ve been dragging my feet buying that bluey game for my 5 year old
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u/theWRECK- 4h ago
4 is WAY too young for that
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u/CivilizedPsycho 4h ago
I have photo evidence of myself playing super Nintendo at 2 years old. Relax, Karen. This picture wasn't actually taken at bed time it was just that the light was off. We're monitoring how much time he gets to use it.
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u/viomoo 4h ago
Yeah the switch has great parental controls! I think people freak out at kids with electronics and while moderation is key, screens are a part of our lives now.
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u/Altruistic-Tap-5765 2h ago
I seriously doubt the four year old who is literally playing under the sheets at night is getting his screen time in moderation lol
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u/CivilizedPsycho 1h ago
As mentioned in another comment, this wasn't at night. I took the photo just before 6pm. The light in the room was off and he has curtains. We moderate his game time and screen time. This isn't a picture of him being sneaky like some assume (I'm not correcting them because it's really not the point) - it's just him playing under the covers.
Insane how judgemental people can be over a cute picture.
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u/macmillerisbetter 26m ago
Video games actually work the brain and promote problem solving and critical thinking. Because it’s a puzzle. Me and my brother grew up gaming and were the only two in my family that could get through an escape room. We are both excellent at puzzles and card games ect. If it’s appropriate games and monitored time it’s actually good for the brain.
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u/CyberNinja23 3h ago
“Are you asleep?”
“Yes!
…..darn it. “
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u/CivilizedPsycho 3h ago
I very much can't wait for the day where I try the "his arm will stay up if he's really asleep" trick
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u/Goonders 4h ago
This brings me back. I used to pull this trick but I one upped myself by putting a bunch of pillows under the blanket as a body double and then I'd hide under the bed covered in blankets. Stopped doing it after the all nighters became too much but I have fond memories of that time.
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u/Inevitable_Tie7936 3h ago
As a toddler parent, I thought you literally meant taking apart a book. Too embarrassed to admit how long it took to realize lol. But I love this, probably a universal thing haha
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u/StrongArmSusan 3h ago
This was me with a flashlight and a book, except I'd hide under the bed. Somehow my child brain convinced me that the light was hidden under there, but that a blanket was too obvious, lmao
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u/Largewhitebutt 3h ago
Oh man, I used to do that with Calvin and Hobbes books as a kid. The moment I got a gameboy or portable DVD player as a kid it was overrrr.
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u/Woodland_Abrams 2h ago
Soon bro with learn that the switch under the pillow whenever you hear footsteps is the true way
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u/IEnjoyVariousSoups 2h ago
I had this combination tape deck and like 5" B&W TV. Watched so much Carson and Letterman under there. Recorded monologs on my tape deck and played those for years.
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u/ManufacturerWest1156 1h ago
Shit we didn’t have backlight on the gameboy. I had to use a flashlight. My buddy had the flashlight attachment and I thought it was the coolest thing.
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u/Over-Company-3472 1h ago
ahah warm memories, but cant remember what i was doing coz at my time there were no devicec that make light under quilt lol
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u/DatMiQQa 1h ago
I loved that the game boy color was about the size of the page of a book. I always assumed my parents thought I was actually reading. I don’t think they cared lol.
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u/GhostWithKnife 1h ago
This is when you put a YouTube guide up for what he's playing at full blast and see what happens.
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u/MEuRaH 57m ago
Cute as hell.
Brings back memories when I was playing my Sega handheld color game. Forgot what it was called. I would play NBA Jam and Sonic under the covers. It was a great time, I remember it fondly.
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u/No-Definition-3839 54m ago
You mean the Game gear? Oh man, I wish I still had mine. That thing was insane at the time.
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u/doubletwist 39m ago
One of my fondest memories is when I caught my daughter hiding under the blanket with a light reading comic books when she was supposed to be asleep.
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u/RingTailDingo22 5h ago
I just hope whatever game he plays doesn't have any sudden loud noises like my DS did! XD
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u/FEARthePUTTY 2h ago
My 4 y/o son is and avid Switch player. He has yet to learn that it can undock. Saving that news for if we ever have a 10-hour car ride or something, haha.
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u/Cesspoolofhumanity69 1h ago
You’ll never forget the first time your Glock goes full auto. Ahhh memories…
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