My local game store was pretty awesome when these came out.  They set up TV's and had tournaments and everything.  It was pretty sweet, although I didn't stay for the tournament, because I wanted to buy the game, get home, and play the shit out of it... I was 14 when Halo 2 came out and I got to the Scarab mission (the first encounter) before my female parental unit told me it was time for bed (3 am).  I was 17 when Halo 3 was released and I was only able to get to Tsavo highway before the female parental unit came down stairs and ruined my fun... lame...  ha ha, (I beat both games the same day after school)