The console whirs softly as the game loads. A yellow mustachioed man appears on the screen—Mario! His feet jump up and down fast, making a sharp “plip” sound each time he lands. I press the button to make him jump, but my hand shakes, and it’s just right enough for two jumps in quick succession. The “plip” turns into a double “plip-plip” that bounces off the TV. Each jump is met with tiny puffs of air from Mario’s shoes—like he’s running on clouds! I try to time my presses perfectly, but Mario’s feet keep making those satisfying sounds even when I miss. The screen lights up and down with his hops; it’s like watching fireworks in slow motion.