Player 2

I’ve recently began playing some of my old video games again. That being said, I’ve also spent some time reflecting on my history with video games. When I was a kid, like 9 or 10, I wasn’t very much into gaming the way I was when I was in junior high and high school, and my only exposure to games was at my friends and cousins homes. And as anybody who plays video games can tell you, the person who owns the game gets to be player one, and the guest gets to be Luigi.

At the time this unwavering rule of gaming seemed a bit unfair to me (and in all fairness it still does), but it did however alter my way of thinking in a pretty significant way. It took me several years to realize that being “Player 2” has shaped my consciousness in ways I never knew before.

One thing about being player 2 was I always had to wait and take my turn second, if I got a turn at all. This was very disheartening as a child because like most children, I wanted immediate gratification. As an adult, I’ve had the opportunity to look at this waiting my turn in a different light. I got a chance to see the dangers of the Mushroom Kingdom before I had to throw myself into them. This gave me the opportunity, and in adulthood the ability, to assess my current situation and develop a plan to make it through the tough times ahead. It also gave me an opportunity to look at the game for what it was. See things that a person in the moment might miss because they’re too busy dodging anthropomorphized bullets. The ability to perceive the world for what it is and take advantage of the things that make life easier is something a lot of people miss out on because they want to be first.

Another thing about being player 2 is I always had someone else in command. When playing cooperatively with friends and relations, I was never the one who was deciding where we went. I got the opportunity to learn how to take orders and perform without having to have the burden of failure looming over my head constantly. The advantage this gave me was when I have had the opportunity to lead, I’ve been able to look back on what I would have done differently in situations I’ve been in previously, as well as look at what those ahead of me have done well and combine their effort with mine into something truly unique and at times legendary. Learning doesn’t always have to come from the best, learning is something that should be strove for at all times. And even the most idiot decision making can be a great learning tool if you are willing to look at it from all angles.

The last thing I’ve noticed about always being player 2 when I was young was I was generally less well equipped than player 1. Player one got the rocket launcher and the submachine gun and the stock pile of grenades. I got a handgun and a pocketful of “key items” that were anything but useful in the course of the game. This did however teach me great adaptability. I was like the MacGuyver of video games. Give me an avocado and a handful of safety pins and I’ll bring down Bowser’s entire operation. I’ve found myself in real life on more than one occasion with less than adequate armament and a greater than average foe and still found a way to get myself where I needed to be. Plus, I also found out later, when I did finally get my hands on that rocket launcher, that it was actually less effective than the weaponry I had been using. Just because it was smaller and less “stand out” didn’t in any way make it less useful. It just made it less “cool”. And “cool” hasn’t gotten anybody very far in the long run.

Normally when I sit down to write something like this, I have the moral of the story all wrapped up in a neat little bow before I sit down. This time, I don’t necessarily know that I have a neat little bow to put on this present. I guess the moral is, being player 2 isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if you’re willing to be a bit patient, and use the time you spend waiting to focus your energies. I’m not sure what I want people to take away from this, but I do hope it makes your life a little easier.

Also, many apologies to Luigi. Being player 2 isn’t that bad, and we shouldn’t treat you differently because of it.