Violence and Video Games

Ever since the dawn of video games, violence has coincided with them. First it was the ghosts in Pac-Man attempting to kill our yellow hero, and then came Mario stomping on the shroom-like goombas. Now, these acts of violence seem extremely petty to us because, in all truth, they are. However, modern-day games are becoming exceedingly more violent, and this is definitely having an effect on our youthful population.

Now, whenever one thinks of violent video games, the name Grand Theft Auto almost always jumps to mind, but there were games much earlier than it that caused outrage in the American public. Perhaps the first game to spark this fury was the arcade classic Mortal Kombat. The ability to finish your opponent in an extremely brutal manner along with massive amounts of blood effects resulted in the game almost getting banned. This was the first example of violent video games causing an outcry, but the aforementioned Grand Theft Auto raised even more serious concerns. Almost immediately after the games release, outcries were heard around the nation. Kids became less obedient, started acting more aggressively towards their peers and superiors, and displayed less interest in school.

Whenever Grand Theft Auto first came out, it sold like hotcakes off the shelves. Every kid across America wanted it for its sandbox, no restraint gameplay. For those of you who do not know what GTA (Grand Theft Auto) entails, basically you play as a gangster in a large city whose main goals are to kill civilians, steal cars, run from cops, and all kinds of other extremely violent and illegal activities.

This doesn't just stop at video games, however. Studies have shown that four year old children who just viewed aggressive images are three times more likely to act aggressively than children who just viewed peaceful images.

This is still a hotly debated topic among many critics. Whether these violent and aggressive games and television are actually affecting our youth is not for certain. However, one must wonder how they couldn't? With technology growing more powerful every single day, the violence in games is growing as well (just check out the new Mortal Kombat, the first wasn't nearly as gory as this one. Its already been banned in Australia). Children are playing these mature rated games that exhibit extreme violence, gore, and unethical actions. Who knows, in ten years games might become realistic enough that the mind of a child is unable to distinguish them from reality, if not in the present day?

Despite whether or not these games are affecting the American public, they will continue to be produced, children will continue to play them, and if the gaming community calls for it, they will become more violent and realistic. From ghosts killing little yellow circles, to digital gangsters beating up prostitutes with baseball bats, gaming has always included violence, and that trend is not likely to stop. So now that you've heard my spill, go throw in Grand Theft Auto 4, and steal a Ferrari or two.

Gaming at it's Best!

What is the best gaming console out there? Some would say it's the Wii or the Xbox Kinect, because they are up and beyond our expectations of interactive gaming. Most everyone, now-a-days, love anything that is the latest and greatest. I must say I love my fair share of Wii games, and I have yet to try to Xbox Kinect though I'm sure I would find it equally fascinating. I also like anything that is up to date or beyond. However, I will always and forever believe that the best gaming console is... the Super Nintendo. Yes, that is correct. The Super NES is by far the best consoleout there.

The first reason I have for absolutely loving the console is I've had and played with it for as long as I can possibly remember, and it has made some pretty awesome memories. I would usually come home from school everyday and immediately start playing. Just kickin' it back, playing some Super Nintendo, and relaxin' from the hardships of elementary school. Then my sister would walk in and we would start duking it out on some Street Fighters. This most likely our first bonding experience, as well as with the rest of my family. The cousins would gather around the T.V. at family cook-outs, and gatherings to see which team was the best at fighting on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Still to this day, we talk of fun times spent on the Super NES. It's even how I make small talk with people I just meet.

The above brings me to my next point. This console will with stand the storms of time. My family got our Super NES, when I was extremely young because of my older sister. The console was first sold in the beginning of the 1990's. We bought ours probably around 1991 when I was born, and I still play it every once and a while when I'm not completely overwhelmed with school. It has survived through a move from one city to the another one 6 hours away, a couple of years in an extremely hot attic, and the abuse from my little cousins. Through it all, it still works like it's brand new. The best part is if a game doesn't work you blow on the chip that shows to connect to the console and it magically starts to work again. If you'

ve never tried it, trust me. It works.

Finally, my next and most important point. The games for the Super Nintendo are the best EVER! They are so simple that anyone can play them, yet they are so exciting a person forgets they are so simple in the first place. They are great for everyone. Below are the list of top games.

1. It's a me, Mario! Super Mario World is an all-time favorite andhow can you forget that amazing song in the beginning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naD6mNeHIsE. Plus, we all remember going from castle to castle defeating Bowser andhis other enemies to win Princess Peach.
   
   
2. FINISH HIM!! Please, tell me everyone still remembers Mortal Kombat. We would literally play this game for hours on end. It was thebest way to start the weekend. It was so great they even made a movie based off ofit. Though, the movie was horrible. The game is amazing. The target of the game was to simply kill the other person, which probably wasn't the best for a young one.
   
   
3. Cowabunga! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were awesome. I dressedup as Leonardo for Halloween numerous times as a child, along with my cousin, and sister. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had several games, but the favorite was Turtles in Time. The Statue of Liberty is stolen by Shredder and the boys have toget it back. They fight through levels until finally they must defeat Shredder.
   
   
4. Street Fighter. It was basically the same as MK, but really MK was better. Still, Street Fighter makes the list, because, when we wanted a little something different from Mortal Kombat, we would pop this baby in.
   
   
5. Last, but certainly not least is Donkey Kong Country. In this game, Donkey Kong and his nephew Diddy Kong must pass through, and defeat levels to gain his hoard of bananas back from King K. Rool and Kremlings. The best part of the game is itwas in 2-D instead of the usual 1-D. It made gaming a lot cooler.

There are so many more games I can add to the list, but we would be here for an eternity.

These only cover a small portion of my favorites.

I suggest to anyone out there has a Super Nintendo console to play it immediately and fall back

in love with this amazing gaming system. For the moments played on this, all the times you

played with your Wii or other systems with be forgotten. It's such a great 90's icon.

Now, go play, and COWABUNGA!!!