Today I discovered a project that looked so fun and exciting that I immediatly felt the urge to blog about it. It’s called 8 Bits of Wisdom: Video Game Lessons for Real Life’s Endbosses. This potent title says it all. Finally, an actual book is being written to reveal the parallels between these classic 8 bit video games and everyday life.

I grew up on many of the games being studied in this project and attest that Sega and Nintendo’s reach stretches further than interactive entertainment. It’s something that millions used to worship, an experience like no other. One that you could actually devour. Yes, seriously…

Thinking back to how many hours I spent getting lost in Nintendo world as a kid, it’s no wonder why I still find myself referencing the games. It can range from everyday life to specific tasks. To keep things simple, I’ll sample Super Mario Brothers 3 as a perfect case and point.

A few months back, I was sitting front row at a Dodger game, enjoying the view. It felt too good to be true. Oddly enough, it was the same feeling I used to have swimming with Mario’s frog suit in Level 3.

Just last weekend, I was working on a new re-write of a film. After a full day of focused brainstorming, I resolved a structural issue that had been affecting the story. The sensation reminded me of the time I finally nailed one of those tandem jump moves at the end of Level 7. Trust me, tackling a character arc can feel a lot like pushing a sweaty ‘A’ button through a labrynth of green pipes. It’s all about navigation.

You see what I mean? Keep in mind, that’s only one game. I’m not ashamed to admit that those NES memories are, and will continue to be engrained in my life. I actually own (and still love) The Wizard so that’s proof. If you know where I’m coming from or just appreciate the raw power of video games, I strongly suggest you take a look at Andy Schindler’s upcoming 8 Bits of Wisdom. It looks to be a warp zone to a whole new level.