I've been a fan of the TCG since I was a little kid, but I never got a chance to actually PLAY it until I got to high school almost 4 years ago now... I've been wanting to play the videogames at LEAST since FR&LG came out... that's the earliest I remember hearing of the games... then, I saw the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games and wanted Blue since I had no DS at the time.
I then got Sapphire for my BDay and was promptly disappointed because I wanted MYSTERY DUNGEON BLUE. But then I got over it and kept on playing and then was hooked. Then after I got my DS, I shortly after got Pearl shortly after it was released, after much pressure from my buddies. I would spend most of the summer in the city, in coffee shops and stuff since I only had dial-up in the countryside where I lived. I was even more obsessed.
Went through 2 DSes to play this game... I even got Firered just to get a Growlithe. I got Soulsilver, and Heartgold, just for both figs, later giving away HG as I hadn't played it. Got Platinum, mostly for the fig, did play it, later gave it away. I got White shortly after it came out. Later that year, my 2nd DS broke, so I was forced to take a break for... I don't remember.
Eventually I got another DS and kinda lost my touch when I got back in... but I still ought White 2, and Conquest, and never got around to them.
Could my fandom be fading? possibly, but even at 18, I'm still exited for new games, and Pokemon will always have a place in my heart.
21, but me and my grandfather have been playing them since he got japanese Red and Green, SO many years ago. Good times.
your GRANDFATHER? That's pretty interesting.