Adults miss out when they shun kids' games

I enjoyed all of the Harry Potter books, and I enjoyed them in their original children’s covers, not the darker, more sombre jackets designed to make adults feel better about reading them. They’re kids’ books, so why pretend they aren't?

I feel the same about video games. Mario Kart, Super Mario Galaxy and the forthcoming Super Smash Bros Brawl all got great reviews, but some adults feel the need to avoid these games as if, because they are suitable for kids, they must be unsuitable for adults.

I played the original NES Nintendo entertainment system when I was a child and have continued to play the company’s systems and games ever since. I enjoy the escapism of running around in a land with bright red and blue mushrooms and giant monkeys bounding about. Being child-friendly doesn't make the games easier, just generally more imaginative and brighter in the visuals.

That’s not to say I don’t still love a good online frag fest. Both types of game can be equally enjoyable, and I think some folk miss out on great games because they ignore the 'suitable for all' games, unaware of the similarities between them and more adult-orientated titles. For instance, both Grand Theft Auto IV and Mario feature jumping on or kicking other characters heads — just in a very, very different context.

Comments

[Alex Q]

I agree.
Often you find that most "adult" games focus too much on being "mature" and end up being very average to play, bar some exceptions like GTA4, whereas the "kiddy" Nintendo games are actually designed as good games foremost.

[jack]

Nintendo make the best games full stop, pure and simple, because they are first and foremost a games company. The rest have just joined in to have a slice of the profits. It's a bit like BMW and Mercedes being in F1 for the corporate image, where Ferrari are in it for the passion.
Played mariokarts on the snes lately? It still kicks ass.

[Chuck]

Cartoons have traditionally been seen as a kids medium. However we've seen that both adults and kids can be entertained by the same material. The Simpsons being a perfect example.

It takes a true adult to admit they enjoy "childish" pursuits. The flip side of this being criticism for not enjoying something "silly".

We all have different tastes and wants. But what we all uniformly need is less labels.

Joy is joy where ever it's found.