Asklemmy

As a child I always wanted original Converse Chucks. I was not allowed because the brand is so expensive.

I now have around 50 pairs original Converse Chucks, most of them rainbow, all hi-top. It completely escalated. I buy around 4 pairs a year.

We had computers at home when I was little. Vic-20, C64, PCs.

But, of course I wanted a NES like all the other kids. Or a Megadrive/Genesis. But, no, computers are for work. We don't do video games.

So, I've had to make up for that by having a collection of all the consoles I never had. I've had a good run doing software development the last two decades, so I'm financially comfortable. I've recently taken the plunge into becoming an indie game developer. So, I guess the joke's on both me and my parents.

My gaming collection currently has a VIC-20, C64, plus/4, A600, A1200, NES, master system, genesis, WiiU, switch, Gameboy, GBA SP, DS, 3DS and PS Vita. And a miyoo mini, retroid pocket 3+ and a gpi case for emulation.

I used to play the demo for Star Trek Bridge Commander so much and always wanted the full game - several years ago I bought a copy off Amazon (now it's available on Gog). Fun game, but it shows its age now.

Alas, I'll never be able to afford Airwolf!

Red Alert 2 big box

It's not even necessarily the income for some things. Tons of things it just never occurred to me a person could get.

A great example is my Beast Wars Tigatron toy that I broke almost immediately after getting. One of the knees snapped. Mum glued it back together a few times, but he couldn't really transform like that and it always broke again. Then last year I was just like "Fuck it. Somebody's gotta be selling their own broken Tigatron on eBay with a good leg." At long last I finally have a proper OG Tigatron.

I didn't exactly buy this but I quit Catholic church and grew out my bangs, and bought my first pairs of bikini underwear, all of which was verboten for me as a youth.

Fountain pens. Such a simple and enjoyable process/hobby, and one that made real sense to me long before the entire world did…

I’m not where I want to be today, but I managed to find a few bucks and grab a Kaweco Lilliput in brass for my bday. Cheap af but legit makes me happy - even if I’m just doodling or trying to.

Course, that means I also need to spend money on good paper, but that’s a small expense relative to cost of pens and inks, and the feeling of laying down ink from a good pen, on straight up amazing paper, is nirvana.

A sodastream machine.

Turns out I don't like most of their syrups though, so I mainly drink fizzed tap water and the occasional lemon squash.

I have a bunch of those retro mini consoles on a cheap projector on an unprepared white painted wall (cheap projector and unprepped wall mimics crt blur very nicely)

As a kid I wanted a Neo Geo arcade cabinet... now I have Metal Slug, Samurai Showdown and Fatal Fury on a 100+ inch "screen" (Not to mention the other consoles and switch)

I wasn't exactly a kid (I was in my 20s), but I'm now buying equipment for my home gym. For years I only had a barbell, plates, and two saw horses that I used as squat stands. I also worked out outside on my back patio. Now I have a garage, two benches (one adjustable), squat stands, and just bought a GHR/nordic combo bench.

A really nice joystick, throttle, and pedals + additional button boxes for flight simulators and space simulators.

Growing up I had the cheapest little joystick and always wanted something more, but it was nixed by my parents. Now I’ve got it!

Brass knuckles. I got 100% brass USA-made knuckles. They live on my desk (WFH) and I give them a good polish from time to time. They still bring a smile to my inner child.

Thats a good one OP. Are you now the guy bestowing golden deagles to folks in MW2 lobbies? I always thought those people were the coolest. What are you doing with it?

I bought a Sega game gear (handheld console of the 90s) when I got my first job.

Now in my 40s I get the things I wasn't allowed when I was younger and they're usually gadgets or food related.

I have all the cool tech I need. I have takeaway too often and it always cheers me up, I have snacks and no one yells at me for using too much ketchup.

I love being an adult.

Warhammer 40k

Turntables and a mixer. When I was about 10 I saw Run-DMC on TV and wanted to learn to DJ, but my mother just laughed saying I already had a record player and they didn’t need to but me a second one.

A dog

A lot of the games I wanted to try as a kid

Some of them aren't as fun as I thought it would be, but at least I can still try them and confirm

A Zoo York skateboard with Independent trucks and Spitfire wheels.

An over-powered gaming PC