I was 5; my father told me we were getting a Nintendo (which meant nothing to me) and instead decided to get a Genesis with Sonic 2, which I then proceeded to call a Nintendo for . . . far too long. I also seem to recall the boss at the end of Emerald Hill being the absolute end of my earliest gaming adventures, as it had somehow managed to overcome my complete (and singular) mastery of holding down 'right' on the dpad. Pretty sure I just had my father beat that boss for me so I could continue my mindless journey, where I (most likely) drowned somewhere in Chemical Plant. I kind of wish I remembered the first time I beat that boss -- I was probably super proud of myself.