Super Mario Bros.
Posted by 2Three
What other game could we open with on a site dedicated to remembering classic videogames? You could argue that it may be a little cliché to start with this game. We tend to believe that ‘fitting’ would be a more appropriate description.
You’ve all heard before how groundbreaking this game was for the industry. Many of you likely started your videogame hobby (or obsession, depending on who you ask) with this one as well. So instead of beating you over the head with the same stuff you’ve heard time and time again, we’re going to take a different approach. You don’t need to be told again that this game was a landmark in the gaming business. You don’t need to be told again that Mr. Miyamoto is a living legend. It was, and he is. Moving on…
Instead, I’m going to share a story with you about this game. That’s what this site is all about – not only remembering the games themselves, but discussing the impact they have had on our lives and the great memories/stories they remind us of. Games are not just something we ‘play.’ They can define eras in our lives and help us remember the people we shared these times with. Not only does Mario Bros. bring back fond game play memories for me, it also brings to mind the story from my childhood that I’m about to share. And I’ve forgotten quite a bit of my childhood at this point in my life. That’s what is so remarkable about games – they can immortalize certain parts of our lives when we look back at them.
In any case - it was Second Grade. Everyone in school was talking about this crazy ‘Nintendo’ device that allowed you play games on your television. Insanity. I had to have one. So I saved up my allowance money for what seemed like an eternity and did extra chores around the house to earn an extra few bucks here and there.
Finally, I managed to save $100. And of course being in the Second Grade, I thought I was rich and could buy anything. So my father brought me to the local Towers store, armed with my 100 dollars, ready to buy a brand new NES.
I was standing at the checkout, booming with excitement that I was about to finally buy this Nintendo machine I heard so much about. I didn’t even hear how much the cashier said the system cost and took out my 100 dollars, assuming that it would surely be enough.
It wasn’t.
I’ll never forget the look on the cashier’s face… she didn’t seem to have the heart to tell me that I didn’t have enough money. She then looked at my father and without hesitation he took out his wallet and paid the balance.
So we brought the system home and my dad set it up. The whole family gathered around the television to see this strange machine in action. And like every new owner of a Nintendo system, we fired up Super Mario. I heard the now famous music of the first level, squished my first Goomba and became a gamer for life.
My entire family was hooked on this game as well. We all loved to play Super Mario and Duck Hunt together. And not since then has my entire family played a videogame with me. This is what’s so remarkable about classic videogames like Super Mario. It appeals to people from all walks of life, all ages, genders and backgrounds. It is timeless, and ageless.
I still play this game once in a while with my younger cousin, who is six. It’s amazing that he prefers to play Super Mario on the NES and currently has no interest in playing any of the modern games. You could argue that most current-gen games are too complicated for youngsters. But the fact that many young gamers begin with their father’s dusty NES system is proof in the putting that the game is timeless and will always be enjoyed by gamers for many years to come.
Go dust off that NES of yours and play some Super Mario. I know that you have one, buried in your closet or attic… 
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 at 7:04 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.