Gamer: Super Mario Bros

One positive outcome from the pandemic response relates to the small free time pickups I can now accumulate throughout the day. Like most people, I like to take brain breaks to let myself regroup before I tackle a new task. I’m not a fan of opening up the internet browser too often because if my curiosity grabs hold of something I will be tempted to deep dive into it (that’s why I use Pocket to save articles I come across so I can read them during a block of time Sunday afternoon). This is where my 3DS comes into play.

I love the Virtual Console that is installed on Nintendo devices. I first started utilizing it on my Nintendo Wii where I loaded up a lot of my favorite retro games before the Wii Shop deprecated. Although the Wii did allow you to pause a game and play others, it didn’t give you the option of creating restore points like the 3DS offers. This ability to make placeholders instantly in a game helps tremendously in overcoming obstacles without losing upgrades or lives. I have been putting it to use wherever I can, most recently in finally beating NES’ Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros is one of my favorite games from my childhood. It’s also number one on my list of regretfully unbeaten games. How that arose, despite my desire to beat it, relates more to a function of sharing an NES with three younger siblings than a lack of drive. It really wasn’t until I received a PlayStation as a teenager that I possessed a device wholly my own, but interestingly enough I feel more nostalgia towards Nintendo than I do Sony.

I decided to utilize the 3DS to pound out Super Mario Bros. a level at a time using restore points to assist me during the trickier parts. Defeating this game took some help, but I’m actually a little relieved to finally accomplish it. Uncompleted tasks always bother me, and you’d be surprised what mundane events can weigh on me. It takes a lot of energy to put these things behind me, but sometimes it’s the healthier approach. I can mark this one off the list.

I’ll admit playing this game in short spurts throughout the day helped tremendously during my spate of very long work weeks since the stay at home orders. Letting me focus shift and juicing me with little feelings of accomplishment as I progressed through the game actually bolstered me. I tend to have very long periods of focused, dedicated work time when I’m dealing with a sticky problem and sometimes focusing on something a little less consequential can facilitate an “idea pop” that can help me along. Perhaps when we return to the office I’ll utilize the portability of the 3DS and keep it at my desk for a few quick gaming escapes.

My next plan is to beat Super Mario Bros 3, Castlevania, and a few games from the original Game Boy. More on that later…