It's Long Past Time Nintendo Gave Mario A Gun, You Cowards

Key Points:

• According to NPD Group, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was the best-selling video game in the U.S. in 2002, followed by Grand Theft Auto III, surpassing titles like Madden NFL 2003, Kingdom Hearts, and Super Mario Sunshine.
• Nintendo’s GameCube entry, Super Mario Sunshine, ranked tenth despite being the first 3D Mario game since Super Mario 64 in 1996, indicating a decline in Mario's mainstream dominance.
• The article argues that the gaming industry has shifted towards mature, gritty content exemplified by Grand Theft Auto, appealing more to adult gamers compared to Nintendo's traditionally lighthearted titles.
• The author humorously suggests that Nintendo should adapt by making Mario a more mature character, even imagining a violent, crime-themed Mario game to compete with the success of Grand Theft Auto.
• The piece highlights a broader trend where PlayStation’s focus on mature games has overtaken Nintendo’s family-friendly approach in sales and cultural relevance among adult gamers.