The screen’s cold glow lights up the controller. Four colors flash—red, blue, green, and yellow. I push Start, and Mario appears on the track with a kart. It’s Wario next to him; then Yoshi, and finally Waluigi. The track is long and winding, with jumps and turns. Green and brown leaves dot the background, while the clouds roll by in the sky.

I grab the controller harder. I want to win. The screen blinks white for a split second, and I’m off. I steer left into the first corner, but Wario is already ahead. He’s got yellow; I’m green. I speed up, trying to pass him around the outside of the turn. My kart squeals as it slides. Wario laughs on the screen.

Next is a jump. I wait for the right moment and press A. The kart soars over, and I land safely in second place. Green leaves twirl past as I zoom through the next tunnel. The track twists again, leading to another jump. This time, I’m ready. I accelerate hard before takeoff and go higher than Wario. I land with a thud, just ahead of him.

The race ends at a checkered flag. I’ve won this time! My kart circles the finish line in victory. The screen goes blank for a moment, then shows me as winner. A happy tune plays, and my Mario Kart 64 controller buzzes softly.