I guess RPGs must have started for me with Pokémon Red/Blue. I got Red and a Gameboy Pocket for my birthday. My Dad must have had a raise or something because usually mt birthday presents were much worse than this. I remember taking it home and then that night my eldest brother taking a turn, and getting poisoned in Viridian Forest. After the battle, the screen started bleeping black (due to the poison), and I thought he'd broken it. I got so mad lol.

Then I remember, probably two years later (?) being at my best friend's birthday party. He had a PSX and got given Final Fantasy VIII from a mutual friend. I remember being so struck by the quality of the graphics, and the entire concept of a game that was so strongly story-driven. We got very confused playing it though, trying to go through the wrong set of gates at the exit to Balamb Gardens (fuck those gates). I so wanted to see what was on the other side of the gate, that as soon as my brothers and I inherited a PSX from a family friend, I scrimped and saved up to buy FFVIII.

Later, I sold my Gameboy Pocket and Pokémon Red to buy FFIX for $120 NZD, That must be more than most new titles retail for now. I love FFIX, but I still regret selling those two items.