Violence in Videogames

"Anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a monster that swallows it up." - Mohandas Gandhi

I'd like to tackle a subject that people have been asking my opinion on for awhile now.  Violence in Videogames.  The debate over the content of videogames has raged on since the days of Pac-Man.  Where ghost critics wondered why all the violence against their brethren.  Invaders from space sent in angry telegrams and snail mail, and morse code, however they used to communicate in the 80s, complaining of the mis-use of their likeness and their intent, stating, "all we wanted to do was invade the earth and kill all humans."  Nowadays the big topics are Grand Theft Auto and Mass Effect.  But I think society has let one culprit, or two, if you are playing with a friend, off the hook.  The Mario Brothers.

Hate mongers.

Mario and Luigi Mario (seriously is Mario their last name? what kind of parents name their kid Mario Mario?) have been harassing the inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom, namely the gentle Koopa Troopa.  I challenge you, go back and play those Super Mario games, namely Super Mario World.  Look at those Koopa Troopas, watch them, what are they doing?  They're walking.  Not only are they walking, they're walking with a smile on their face!  The Koopa Troopa is probably just trying to get home to his wife and kid at home.  Or the flying Koopas that just got their wings and are excited to fly up and down in the middle  of chasm.  These little turtles don't deserve to be stepped on and evacuated from their shells.  Or worse yet to be eaten by a dinosaur with a saddle and consumed to take advantage of their power depending on shell color.  Why all the hatred for our green, red, blue, and yellow shelled friends?  I've heard unconfirmed reports that race organizers kill innocent Koopa Troopas, hollow out the shell and use them on race courses to be used as weapons.


The goombas I understand.  I mean look at those ugly freaks, they don't even have a body and you know they're evil because their teeth come from the bottom of their mouth.  Pirahna plants?  Sure they need to be set aflame, they jump out of pipes unexpectedly to bite your ass.  But the Koopa Troopa, this innocent fella just wants to get home and enjoy a nice TV dinner and watch The Biggest Loser.  Next time you play Super Mario Bros. just leave these stalwart nomads be.  How could you hate the Koopa Troopa?  Just look at him.

What'd I ever do?

Spare the Koopa Troopas,
Joel S.