An elderly woman in Japan was sent a brand-new Game Boy, straight from a secret stash of the iconic handhelds, so that she could continue playing the equally iconic blocks-falling puzzler, Tetris.
As reported by Kotaku - via Asahi Shimbun and several other Japanese sources - Kuniko Tsusaka, who is 70 herself, wrote to Nintendo a few years ago explaining that her mother, then 95 years old, had worn out her third Game Boy console.
Tsusaka was encouraged to reach out to the gaming company by her son, who noted its excellent customer service. One slight miscommunication between mother and son later, she sent a written letter rather than an email, asking after spare parts for her mother's Game Boy, so that she could continue to enjoy Tetris in what years she had left.
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Less than a week later, Tsusaka received a reply. But it wasn't along the lines of, "Sorry, but we retired that console in 2003," or even, "Sorry, but we no longer stock replacement parts for our Game Boy range." Oh no. What arrived was no less than a brand-new, original Nintendo Game Boy.
Oh boy, to hold such a treat again, fresh out the box. Imagine. That tingling at my fingertips: if I could bottle the feeling, I would. Second only to opening a new Argos catalogue on the day of its launch. Right?
Anyway... The Game Boy, direct from Nintendo's warehouse, was accompanied by a letter wishing their nonagenarian fan of monochromatic puzzle classics a long life.
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Tsusaka's mother eventually passed away at 99 years old, but despite her deteriorating health retained control of her mental faculties - which hopefully meant she was able to play a lot more Tetris on her new Game Boy.
Tsusaka stated that her mother is "Up in the sky" and "thankful, I think". Let's hope she got all the joy she wanted from Tetris, and her fourth Game Boy, right up til the end.
For some more Game Boy love, check out our Perfect 10 titles for the 1989-launched handheld console, on Facebook and below. And yes, our list has Tetris in it, obviously.
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