As a child, video games were full of wonder and enchantment. Many of us, at one point or another, believed in some of the myths and theories that circled around our favorite games. Two of these, which still stand out to me, were the idea of TV screen portals and the belief in building a portal to heaven in Minecraft. These were the kind of things that a young, imaginative mind could grasp onto, only to be disappointed as time passed and reality set in.

TV Screen 'Portal'

One of the most intriguing theories that I once fully believed was the concept of a 'portal' that could transport a game's protagonist from the screen to the real world. I thought that through some sort of interdimensional connection, the characters in my favorite games could use a portal to either communicate with or possibly even physically interact with the TV. The idea was intoxicating, and I often wondered if the characters could come through and 'get me.'

Although I was skeptical of the idea at some point, I indulged in the fantasy, believing that through sheer will, the characters could traverse the boundary between game and reality. It was a childish notion, but one that I held onto for quite some time. As I grew older and played more games, it became clear that these theories were nothing more than the product of an overactive imagination.

Minecraft Portal to Heaven

Another bizarre fascination of mine was the idea of building a portal to heaven in Minecraft. I felt so foolish in retrospect, but at the time, the YouTube videos and thumbnails showing such a portal made it seem within reach.

I opened up a creative world and started experimenting with TNT and lava, carving out holes to create what I hoped would be a portal to a divine dimension. I gathered glowstone and a water bucket, then meticulously followed the steps shown in the videos. I placed the water bucket, left-clicked, and waited in anticipation. However, no heavenly portal emerged. I tried several times, even breaking the same glowstone block as the video to no avail.

Finally, I noticed a crucial detail that made the difference: the video was posted during the day, but I had attempted it during the night. The next day, I replicated the conditions, only to find that the mobs were still burning from the lack of sunlight. Disheartened, I decided to continue my venture. I dug a path to a glowstone monument, removed a tree blocking the sunlight, and took a deep breath, preparing for my final attempt.

With the sunlight pouring in, I left-clicked the glowstone block, and then something magical happened. To my surprise, a portal door appeared, and I stepped through.

Game Cheats and Deceptions

Back in the era of the SNES or SFC (Super Famicom in Japan), the world of gaming was full of cheat codes and myths. One infamous cheat was reported in a Japanese gaming magazine, which would reveal one fake cheat code each month. These fake codes often spread among non-Japanese speakers, and many believed them to be real.

Among the mostToUpdateand showcase the belief in these cheats, the SFC version of Final Fight had a rumor of a secret 2-player mode. The combination of key-presses was supposed to unlock this hidden feature. I, too, fell for this ruse and purchased a new console and the game. Looking back, I realize that while I wasted money and time, the SFC remains a cherished machine, with many great games to its name.

These childhood myths and deceptions are a reminder of the innocent curiosity and imagination that were the hallmarks of our youth. In the end, it is the memories and the games that we played, rather than the beliefs we once held, that have truly stuck with us.