We started Retro Dodo to celebrate the world of Retro Gaming and what it means to people all over the world. Nostalgic media brings joy to people on many different levels and for so many different reasons, whether it’s reminiscing about our childhoods or remembering happy times with loved ones, and sometimes both combined together. So when I was sent this story of Zhou Yichen and his Game Boy game paying tribute to his Grandma by one of our Instagram followers today (thanks Zee), I had to write it up straight away.
Zhou Yichen has remembered his Grandma in an incredibly special way by making a game for the original DMG simply called ‘Grandma’. Zhou’s grandma sadly passed away peacefully earlier this year, but her memory lives on through his art and the wholesome game he has created. The five-minute game documents Zhou moving in with his Grandma to look after her after she had a fall and the 6 months of them making their final memories together.
Writing on his Instagram, Zhou tells us “Half a year ago, my grandma accidentally fell down at home and was injured and unable to move. In order to accompany and take care of her, I moved to my grandma’s house and lived with her. This year’s Double Ninth Festival, my grandma left us peacefully. In the past six months, we have woven many memories together.”
Zhou believes that games are a way for us to record our lives and ‘spread love’, and we couldn’t agree more. Even though I’ve never met Zhou or his Grandma, I feel like I’ve shared in a poignant moment that symbolises the special bond they both had. This game is art in its purest form, with players stepping into Zhou’s shoes to experience the moments that meant the most to him during his time caring for his Grandma. You’ll eat together, take walks, and help her with her daily care, preparing for a final farewell as seen in the featured image of this article. And as you can see from the Instagram video above, Zhou writes that this project was solely to ‘commemorate my grandma, I will always love and remember you.’
Zhou’s work is special to me in another way too as it reminds me of my Uncle Mimo who sadly passed away from a heart attack when I was only young. He was the one who got me into gaming, playing Duck Hunt with NES Zappers and showing me the SuperScope for the first time. He was there to witness me falling in love with video games, and effectively he’s the reason I wanted to write for a gaming magazine one day. I think about him every time I turn on my SNES or whenever a new game console comes out and how much he would love gaming today. So, to Zhou’s grandma, my Uncle Mimo, and all the people we’ve all lost over the years who have had a profound effect on our lives, thanks for giving us so many amazing memories to cherish.
