By Purple Yoshi July 10, 2003 Is Mario childish? This question has been brought up a lot in recent years. People say that Mario for the cube is bringing a new, and childish feel to the once excellent and captivating games. They say that Mario should have more appeal for older gamers. I however, say that Mario is just as overall appealing as ever. The series hasn't become childish, it has just changed. They rate it "E" for everyone for a reason. "Everyone" suggests that anyone can play AND enjoy these games. I have read on more than one website that people want to see a more realistic style of animation. They want Mario to use a gun rather than FLUDD. They want to see Mario fight zombies rather than paint and shadow mario. Basicly, what these people want is an entirely different videogame series. Mario isn't meant to carry around a gun shooting people. That's not part of his character. Some fans also don't want to see Mario rescuing Peach from danger again and again. That is the classic Mario game story line. If these fans had their way, the Mario series would be so different that is wouldn't even be recignisable. If these fans liked the "good old days" of Mario, then why do they want the new Mario to be the exact opposite of the original Super Mario Brothers? I've heard many complaints about the "plunging story lines" in the Mario series. Even to this day people are still insulting Super Mario Sunshine. My question is, what's wrong with it? Fans have been greatly looking forward to a new and eventful story line, and now that they've got it, they criticize it. It is inevitable that some people would dislike and complain about the new Mario games, though the part of it that bothers me is that they are complaining needlessly. No one forced them to play the game, just as no one is forcing them to stay with Nintendo. Basically, according to some people, what makes a game non-childish is a "T" or above rating with some merciless, deep voiced guy with a gun that goes around shooting everyone. It would be a depressing day indeed if that ever happened to the Mario series. People confuse childish with light-hearted. That's exactly what the Mario games are, light-hearted. So while some teens call Mario childish, and demand a more mature look, those who feel as though Super Mario Sunshine was a game for everyone will think of the "E" rating and laugh to themselves.