Grown-up Gaming

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Sex, drugs, violence and depth? The real definition of adult gaming experiences.

"I'm too old for this game." "What is this, some sort of kids' game?" How many times have you heard someone say something like this? Perhaps you've even said it yourself a time or two. I recall one instance distinctly. I was having a conversation with some fellow gaming buddies, and Nintendo (the company, not a particular system) came up. When asked to name a few of my favorite games available on the "Big N's" many platforms, I gleefully recalled the many fun bouts I'd had against other friends in Diddy Kong Racing; but then, one guy barked a laugh. I asked him what was funny, and he said, "I can't believe you play that game." When asked why, he said that he was "too old" for those types of games; he preferred Grand Theft Auto or Quake III: Arena.

While Diddy Kong Racing featured three different ways to race, some gamers seemed concerned that not a lot of hairy monkey arse was exposed.


So, wait - this guy was "too old" to enjoy a fun and addicting video game? Why? Just because there were no polygonal boobies or rolling heads? Does a game have to be violent, sexual, and a slew of other pseudo-mature keywords in order to be enjoyable? Hardly. Mario or Duke Nukem? Both, thank you. Digital breasts and wanton gore are not required for me to have fun.

So what is a "mature" game? It doesn't necessarily need to contain excessive bloodshed, foul language, or sex. These are themes that can enhance a game, as long as the context calls for it; but there needs to be something deeper. As gaming has grown up, so have I, and I worry that many publishers and developers have not yet realized that "growing up" does not necessarily equate to titles with more curse words, blood, and sexual innuendo.

I am bothered most by people who ignore high quality games just because there aren't enough decapitations for their taste. In today's gaming world, and for many years prior, the one company that has been synonymous with family entertainment is Nintendo. Fear not: this is not the rant of one of those (rather terrifying) Nintendo fan boys. This is merely a rant by someone who loves to play gaming experiences that provide real depth and entertainment. And when you get right down to it, that's exactly what Nintendo does best.

Zelda: great graphics, great storytelling, great gameplay. A true grown-up gaming experience, and hey! No nudity!


My mother sat down with me to play Super Mario Bros when I was a kid, but I don't remember her watching Manhunt and shouting, "Gimme the controller, it's my turn now!" That's not to say that Nintendo's first- and second-party titles abstain from a bit of violence. Zelda and Metroid feature fighting, yes. Heck, even Mario stomps on his enemies' heads to defeat them. But no gore is involved. Why not? Because it's unnecessary.

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