Mario love is fading for me and I don’t want it to happen.

E

Erictendo

Goomba
So I've been a huge Nintendo fan, especially Mario my entire life. I'm currently 13 years old. Since I was 6 or 7 I always thought Mario would be on my daily check-list. Unfortunately that hasn't been true this past year-and-a-half.

The thing is, I WANT to love Nintendo for my entire life. I absolutely adore the rich history of the company, it's games, it's struggles, and it's successfulness. I WANT to feel like I want to go to Super Nintendo World in Orlando when it opens. But at this rate, will 16 year old me want to?

Currently, following MLB and NFL are my main source of entertainment. Nintendo let alone Mario hasn't been on my list. Maybe you're thinking I'm not realizing that there is no point if I like MLB and NFL, but if you understand me I WANT Mario to remain on my daily list.

I know for a fact I still like Mario. I get super nostalgic and teary eyed when I hear the soundtracks and oh boy especially Mario Galaxy. I still watch the Nintendo Directs. I still keep up with new games. I still have all my Amiibo and haven't sold a game. Heck, my TV still has a Nintendo setup.

I'm just asking for advice on how to keep my love for the game for a long time. I plan on being a dad, and I want my future kids to appreciate these games like I did. Hopefully when I finally to experience a Super Mario Galaxy 3, my kid will experience his first video game.

Okay sure, maybe I'm just asking a stupid question and I need to grow up. But it's just hard man. Hopefully someone close to my age sees this and knows what I'm going through. I want to be excited next year when I go to see the Mario movie. I want to be excited to go to Super Nintendo World. Nintendo has always been my life, and I want any piece of wisdom I can to keep it that way.
 
You shouldn't force yourself to like something, you should let your interests go in and out organically. And it's not mutually exclusive to like MLB and NFL. But, why is your interest fading away? Why, say, haven't you spent time in the later Mario games as you did back in the Galaxy years? If you believe Mario is some sort of kids thing and kids should grow out of it, I hope it reassures you that several people in this forum are significantly older than you, fully grown adults, and they still really enjoy Mario games. Take me, I'm 27, a fully mature woman, and we're 14 years apart, but I've been a dedicated Mario fan as long as I remember and I'm not really seeing any signs of that fading out; I'm not really playing as much video games to completion but I've been satisfying Mario-related urges through nonMario games, such as mods replacing characters with Mario and whatnot.

Are there any other venues you think you can enjoy Mario in? Maybe there's some YouTube analysis videos. If you're artistically inclined, maybe take part in fanfic or fan art. Have you played any older Mario games? For instance, you like MLB but did you try any Mario Baseball games? Or simply watch gameplay of it? Is that exciting to watch too?
 
don't force it

your tastes and preferences change over time and that's okay. if you end up liking something else, that's what happens. obligating yourself to like something for the sake of it is a bad idea that will just leave you unfulfilled in the long run. if you like both mlb and mario then you like both mlb and mario. if you like just mlb, then embrace it. you will be happier if you pursue the things you enjoy, rather than forcing yourself to fit a mold you no longer match
 
Striker Mario Boogaloo said:
You shouldn't force yourself to like something, you should let your interests go in and out organically. And it's not mutually exclusive to like MLB and NFL. But, why is your interest fading away? Why, say, haven't you spent time in the later Mario games as you did back in the Galaxy years? If you believe Mario is some sort of kids thing and kids should grow out of it, I hope it reassures you that several people in this forum are significantly older than you, fully grown adults, and they still really enjoy Mario games. Take me, I'm 27, a fully mature woman, and we're 14 years apart, but I've been a dedicated Mario fan as long as I remember and I'm not really seeing any signs of that fading out; I'm not really playing as much video games to completion but I've been satisfying Mario-related urges through nonMario games, such as mods replacing characters with Mario and whatnot.

Are there any other venues you think you can enjoy Mario in? Maybe there's some YouTube analysis videos. If you're artistically inclined, maybe take part in fanfic or fan art. Have you played any older Mario games? For instance, you like MLB but did you try any Mario Baseball games? Or simply watch gameplay of it? Is that exciting to watch too?
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You know what?
You just sealed the deal. To answer your question I'm highly sure it all boils down to my parents wanting me to move on from it. 10 year old me bought into their pressure to get away from what I loved. I feel like what they want to do is save me from getting made fun of at school. But if I am in a sporty friend group I'm not sure that's a problem if I like both. … wow I feel like an idiot right now. Having to dislike what your parents do oh boy… idk I appreciate you asking that question because this entire time I thought it was just me getting older. I honestly feel so down right now knowing that loving Mario is just right in front of me with this realization. My parents are understanding and all for the most part so I feel like this move will be fine.

Yeaaa imma go play some MKW now bye and thanks! :)
 
I can testify this that my interests in Mario titles have been slowly degrading over time, and I speak this as a 27 year old. Basically, your interests shift over time, and your changing interests isn't something you should really worry about, as it's a slow and natural feeling. But for me, the source of my degrading interest in the Mario series is basically Nintendo's recent output of half baked Mario spin off titles and continuously failing to meet my expectations especially continuously denying my favorite characters to be playable in titles, so I've mostly turned to other venues to satisfy this, such as mods and other titles where I can express myself freely, plus playing other games in other series that aren't related to this franchise. I know it's not Nintendo's duty to specifically cater to my preferences since I'm just an anonymous weirdo with bizarre quirks and specific interests, but hey, I'll take my enjoyment of games elsewhere if they cannot provide it for me, and you should too if you no longer derive enjoyment out of their games. It's for your own good, and if not playing Mario games makes you feel better off, embrace it.
 
ive been kind of out of mario too for the past 10 months? its just because angry birds has been occupying all of my brain for the past while. im assuming im gonna end up getting back into mario eventually but for now im just embracing angry birds syndrome
in any case i still constantly exist on mario communities and engage with the content to a decent amount just not nearly as much as before
i DO need to play my switch more often though ive Barely done so this 2022
 
Erictendo said:
You know what?
You just sealed the deal. To answer your question I'm highly sure it all boils down to my parents wanting me to move on from it. 10 year old me bought into their pressure to get away from what I loved. I feel like what they want to do is save me from getting made fun of at school. But if I am in a sporty friend group I'm not sure that's a problem if I like both. … wow I feel like an idiot right now. Having to dislike what your parents do oh boy… idk I appreciate you asking that question because this entire time I thought it was just me getting older. I honestly feel so down right now knowing that loving Mario is just right in front of me with this realization. My parents are understanding and all for the most part so I feel like this move will be fine.

Yeaaa imma go play some MKW now bye and thanks! :)
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yeah when i was 8 or 9 my parents told me i wouldnt like pokemon when im older
but now im much more into it than i was back then
sometimes parents are wrong, even though (most good ones) are genuinely trying to help you, remember to take whatever they say with a grain of salt because they're human beings too
 
It's also important to remember that even if you genuinely do end up losing interest in Mario, that's completely fine. It's just part of growing up and getting older. You might lose interest in something that you'd been into for years or you might keep your interest for the rest of your life. Hell you could even lose interest in something for a few years and eventually come back to it and rekindle your interest in that thing. That happened with me and Thomas & Friends, it was basically my main interest and obsession when I was really young (talking like 3-4 years old), I eventually lost interest in it when I was around 7-8 and then literally years later at 23-24 years old, I ended up returning to that series and regaining my interest in it after like 16-17 years.

But really just don't try and force yourself to like something because you think you should be liking it or you should be still enjoying it, just let your interests grow and change naturally.

Edit: I can also understand the POV of why your parents want you to move on from Mario. I'm not agreeing with it, but there is this general perception that preteens and teenagers should put away so-called 'childish' things (which Mario does have a reputation of being for kids) that comes from both preteens/teens themselves and their parents/guardians because they think they need to 'grow up'.

Personally, I say 'screw that'. I realized that I'm allowed to enjoy things that I like, even if people may think they're 'childish', when I was around 15 years old and started buying Transformers toys again and watching cartoons beyond anime. Who cares, you're your own person and if you find enjoyment in things that are 'for kids', then enjoy them and don't care what other people say about your maturity or if you really should be into such a thing at your age.

Shit, I'm turning 26 years old in June and my main interests are:
- Series about talking locomotives aimed at preschoolers/young children
- Magical girl anime aimed at elementary school girls
- Japanese superhero shows aimed at elementary school boys
- Time travel sci-fi show aimed at families
- Changey robot toyline aimed at kids and collectors

Those are my interests and who cares what other people think about them? All of these things have large fanbases of teens and adults who are into them too.
 
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I had a similar experience with parents pressuring me to move away from Mario. Except with them it wasn't JUST Mario, it was anything they saw as "childish." But they focused on Mario because it was my obsession. I just learned to hide it from them because they would make my life a living hell if I didn't. Once I moved out I was right back to full-time Mario fanatic lol. And the things my dad & stepmom tried to make me interested in, I couldn't care less now. Guns, hunting, football, etc. Remember to be genuine to yourself, even if you feel pressure to be someone else because of closed-minded parents.
 
Princess Viola said:
It's also important to remember that even if you genuinely do end up losing interest in Mario, that's completely fine. It's just part of growing up and getting older. You might lose interest in something that you'd been into for years or you might keep your interest for the rest of your life. Hell you could even lose interest in something for a few years and eventually come back to it and rekindle your interest in that thing. That happened with me and Thomas & Friends, it was basically my main interest and obsession when I was really young (talking like 3-4 years old), I eventually lost interest in it when I was around 7-8 and then literally years later at 23-24 years old, I ended up returning to that series and regaining my interest in it after like 16-17 years.

But really just don't try and force yourself to like something because you think you should be liking it or you should be still enjoying it, just let your interests grow and change naturally.

Edit: I can also understand the POV of why your parents want you to move on from Mario. I'm not agreeing with it, but there is this general perception that preteens and teenagers should put away so-called 'childish' things (which Mario does have a reputation of being for kids) that comes from both preteens/teens themselves and their parents/guardians because they think they need to 'grow up'.

Personally, I say 'screw that'. I realized that I'm allowed to enjoy things that I like, even if people may think they're 'childish', when I was around 15 years old and started buying Transformers toys again and watching cartoons beyond anime. Who cares, you're your own person and if you find enjoyment in things that are 'for kids', then enjoy them and don't care what other people say about your maturity or if you really should be into such a thing at your age.

Shit, I'm turning 26 years old in June and my main interests are:
- Series about talking locomotives aimed at preschoolers/young children
- Magical girl anime aimed at elementary school girls
- Japanese superhero shows aimed at elementary school boys
- Time travel sci-fi show aimed at families
- Changey robot toyline aimed at kids and collectors

Those are my interests and who cares what other people think about them? All of these things have large fanbases of teens and adults who are into them too.
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I don't feel like I'm necessarily forcing myself knowing I have the ability to get enjoyment out of it. The parental objections are what killed my motivation. I feel like this is something that wouldn't really affect me to the extent that my parents make it out to be.
 
I mean think about it, why is Mario objectionable and not the other things kids so happen to enjoy. Would they take issue if you were into Star Wars, Marvel, etc because those have stupidly big adult audiences and those things are marketed to hell at kids too. Kids love sports so shouldn't it be an issue if adults like sports? Eh?
 
I don't necessarily understand the parent's logic in forcing you in a box or making you obtain an interest elsewhere because of an arbitrary age restriction. I must ask, what exactly is the harm in liking a piece of entertainment?
 
Boy am I glad my parents never did that.
 
Ray Trace said:
I don't necessarily understand the parent's logic in forcing you in a box or making you obtain an interest elsewhere because of an arbitrary age restriction. I must ask, what exactly is the harm in liking a piece of entertainment?
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From what they always explain, nobody my age plays Nintendo. Yeahhh I know, it's weird. My friend group will occasionally get into a good game of Mario Kart or Mario Party and are hardcore Smash fans. Even if I was made fun of, it would be from people that aren't relevant to me.
 
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