Dollar Tree being only a single dollar on everything.
I didn’t know Dollar Tree existed further back in the years like the 80s. But, I didn’t discover the store until like late 2000s. That store was a godsend for my then mostly broke ass. Sure the quality of products could’ve been better and the food selection could’ve been better, but they were there for me and others who’re strapped on budgets.
And it was a good 16 years while that lasted. It is a little annoying at times to shop there and know it is no different than Dollar General and Family Dollar. But it could’ve been worse.
Despite being prime age for Pokemon Red when it came out, I didn’t get into the games until my 20s. Heart Gold was my introduction to the series. Black & White came out soon after that, so it was my first “new” Pokemon game that I was excited for.
I eventually went back and played gens 3 and 4 as well. Despite that, I must say, these endless rehashes of old games are quite confusing for someone new to the series. I wish I had been in from the start.
I enjoyed ORAS, gen 7, and I’m maybe a bit embarrassed to say it but Scarlet, despite being technologically and aesthetically bankrupt, was rather fun. Brilliant Diamond has also become a bit of a comfort game that I’ve replayed 4 or 5 times now.
Right now, I’m on a GBA romhack kick, with a heavy preference for original regions with a deliberately selected pokedex consisting of official 'mons from a range of generations. Recently enjoyed Pokemon Lazarus so much that I’m replaying it.
The ROM hacking scene has had so many awesome hacks recently, I can hardly keep up! I’ve been playing Elite Redux and Emerald Rogue a lot recently, and heavily enjoyed Unbound and Gaia. There’s a bunch of new DS hacks coming that are looking very promising too, including ones with original regions. We may very well see a DS hacking renaissance soon!