I’m sitting on the floor with my back against the wall, legs outstretched, controller in hand. The screen is bright, casting a blue glow across my room. I’ve just unlocked the new level in Sonic the Hedgehog. It’s night-time and there are glowing stars above me, making everything look like it’s happening in a cartoon.

The level is set in an abandoned warehouse with broken crates and old machinery. There’s this one part where you have to dash through spinning blades that cut through the air like wind. I’m holding my breath as Sonic zips past them at top speed. Every time he dodges, my heart races faster.

In the background, I can hear music playing on a loop—some new theme song for this level. It’s catchy and bouncy, something you’d want to dance to if it wasn’t so loud. As I play, I notice the sky outside is getting lighter. The sun must be coming up because the blue glow from the game turns into a soft white light.

I’ve reached a point in the level where there are these giant, floating rings. You have to grab them and bounce off them to get higher. It’s tricky but feels rewarding when you finally manage it. I’m trying my best not to fall down as Sonic jumps up and down on the rings like they’re trampolines.

The level ends with a big boss fight against this robot that looks like an oil drum with arms. The challenge is to knock its head off by shooting it with a laser. I’ve got to be precise, or else I’ll lose all my rings and have to start over. It’s tense, but once I get the hang of it, it becomes kind of fun.

By the time I’m done, the sun is up enough that the room isn’t as dark anymore. I leave the controller on the floor and stand up, stretching my legs. Playing this level has made me want to do something else too—maybe draw a map of the warehouse or make a video about it for YouTube.

Now, though, all I can think about is how much better the next level will be when I get back to it later.