When I was about 7 years old, my parents asked me what I wanted for Christmas. Now, I was really fond of that there "Mario" game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The only time I had a chance to play it, however, was when I was at the local day care center. So, I asked for a "Video game with the guy that jumps around a lot, and gets the coins." I didn't know he was called Mario at that time.

I ended up with a Sega Genesis + Sonic the Hedgehog 2 bundle.

Now, Initially I was very disappointed. I was doomed to become the kid that hadn't played Star Fox, or Super Mario World, or Final Fantasy bleh, or any of those other fantastic SNES games. To make matters worse, I absolutely hated Sonic the Hedgehog, arguably the best reason to own a Genesis (The idea of pretending to be an animal never sat right with me, even as a child.)

My parents felt bad about the mix up, of course, so they took me to the local K-mart and let me choose one or two games. Maybe I'd enjoy one of the other games for the system. I chose Streets of Rage 2, and Toe Jam and Earl. I will never make such an excellent decision again.

Now, you are all familiar with Toe Jam and Earl I assume. It's awesome, yes, I get that. But, it really didn't have that much of an impact on me when compared to Streets of Rage 2. Allow me to explain...



Before I plugged that cart into my Genesis, I was still unsure of what video games even were. Up till then, I thought of them as "Interactive Movies" of sorts. That theory was completely abandoned, however, when I turned on my console.

"Streets of Rage 2." Kay. "PRESS START BUTTON" ...Kay. "1P, 2P, DUEL, OPTIONS" .... I guess I'm a One Pee? That sounds about right. "SELECT PLAYER" !!!

I was blown away! I get to choose WHO the main character is. I get to choose who I guide through this interactive movie! The stats underneath each character portrait confused me, however, so I decided to stick with my gut and choose the white guy. Because the white guy always wins.

My thumbs were still far from the nimble digits they are now, so I spent the first hour of gameplay jumping around aimlessly and getting killed by the first enemy you encounter in the game. Eventually, I discovered the attack button, which made getting past that first baddie a much easier experience.

I exponentially became better at the game after those first few hiccups, discovering a new trick or secret every couple seconds. And right about the time I reached the first boss, it dawned on me. Video Games are a lot like Toys. I can play with them however I like, I'm not confined by someone else's imagination. If want to karate chop a garbage can, I can do that. If I want to bust up the mid-boss with a metal pipe, I can do that too.

Unlike Toys, however, there are rules. If I get hit by a baddie, I take damage. I can work around that rule by eating some turkey or an apple to heal my guy, but that rule will still always be in effect.

I came to the conclusion that these "Video Games" are created to both Entertain, and Challenge. To keep me busy during those boring summer vacations, as well as test my wit and reflex. When a Video Game is developed with that in mind, when it focus' on simply Entertaining and Challenging the player, it's nothing short of incredible.

...

When a Video Game is, however, created to be both Entertaining and INFORMATIVE, like a movie. If it is weighed down with a bunch of philosophical messages, while simultaneously trying to provide fun and challenging gameplay, then it is the repugnant mess that is GTA IV THANK YOU AND GOOD DAY