Have you ever wondered if there was a deeper meaning to the games that we play? Maybe something that if we took a look from a different perspective we might see a little more into the world around us and walk away with a deeper understanding of our life. A game that has underlying tones that connects to every day life, and is something that everyone has played.

Let’s just take Super Mario Bros for example, if we were to look at the game and try to search for hidden metaphors there is most likely thousands of them. Take a world in Mushroom Kingdom, say that this represents our transition from life to death. As we progress through the stage, we must collect many things from coins, to mushrooms, and even stars.

The coins could be a representation of our constant need for income and as we bash blocks open for them it is the equivalent of us working at a job. We work hard to get our money, bashing blocks open and sometimes doing it repetitively just to make money. However, sometimes there are ways to get money without having to work for it. Just like people do bad things or “underground dealings” to get cash quickly, this is also represented as well. Since we can all take that path, although hidden from view, by hopping down a pipe to a secret stash easily accessible wealth.

Also (more…)

First, check out the above graph from this article at CNET.

Then check out the following graph found in the NeoGAF forums.

Which one makes the most sense to you?

[Thanks, ejamer!]