2008 Woodie Awards
Reed All About it:
Lessons learned from old school Nintendo
Reed Stratton
Issue date: 11/20/03 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Many of us students are leaders of the Y generation, the most computer literate yet. That is until our children of the Z generation show up and can hack in to the Pentagon Nuclear Asylums with a few clicks of the mouse while still wearing diapers. I guess that's the rate we're going right now with modern technology- too bad it has a tendency to erode the imagination of those who use it for entertainment, especially in the case of video games.
However, we all hold a special place in our hearts for that little pixilated plumber who can pop gold coins from rear ends of foes in a single bound. Of course I'm talking about Nintendo's Mario, an ordinary plumber out of Brooklyn who cleared the pipes for the Y generation. With entertainment devices like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) playing such a large role in our young lives we are no doubt going to learn a thing or two about life from them.
First off, the most obvious Nintendo adventure is all three of the Super Mario games. One of the objects of the game is to find treasures- flowers, coins, etc., by shattering bricks with your head and digging through old pipes. The more treasures you find the better luck you have in the game.
So here is what I learned about life from Super Mario Brothers. First off, always turn over rocks or shatter bricks that most people ignore. Warps that will get you levels ahead of the competition are often hidden in tricky, somewhat disgusting places, like sewage pipes.
Secondly, when your adventures are over and you finally meet your princess (or prince) and you think it is all over, don't be surprised if he/she eventually tells you that your princ(ess) is in another castle.
Finally, never underestimate the power of pretty flowers. Guys, this one is especially for you in trying to impress those lady friends. They may not make flames launch from your fingertips, but they sure can make up for an impulsive, your-butt-is-too-big comment from time to time. Flower power, oh yeah.
However, we all hold a special place in our hearts for that little pixilated plumber who can pop gold coins from rear ends of foes in a single bound. Of course I'm talking about Nintendo's Mario, an ordinary plumber out of Brooklyn who cleared the pipes for the Y generation. With entertainment devices like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) playing such a large role in our young lives we are no doubt going to learn a thing or two about life from them.
First off, the most obvious Nintendo adventure is all three of the Super Mario games. One of the objects of the game is to find treasures- flowers, coins, etc., by shattering bricks with your head and digging through old pipes. The more treasures you find the better luck you have in the game.
So here is what I learned about life from Super Mario Brothers. First off, always turn over rocks or shatter bricks that most people ignore. Warps that will get you levels ahead of the competition are often hidden in tricky, somewhat disgusting places, like sewage pipes.
Secondly, when your adventures are over and you finally meet your princess (or prince) and you think it is all over, don't be surprised if he/she eventually tells you that your princ(ess) is in another castle.
Finally, never underestimate the power of pretty flowers. Guys, this one is especially for you in trying to impress those lady friends. They may not make flames launch from your fingertips, but they sure can make up for an impulsive, your-butt-is-too-big comment from time to time. Flower power, oh yeah.