Clayton Austin Once upon a time, playing a video game was seen as the ultimate way to not be in a relationship.
There was a misconception that gamers were anti-social, would sit alone in their rooms for hours and wouldn’t go and meet girls. Of course, it was a lazy stereotype, but it worked nicely in comedy movies and sitcoms such as the Big Bang Theory.
However, the very opposite is true in the modern world. Video gaming is a huge industry, with Variety suggesting there are almost 227 million gamers in the United States. The male/female split is narrow; 55% of gamers identify as male, and 45% as female. That makes it an equal opportunities arena, especially for affairs of the heart. Unlike the common perception, playing a video game can be social and is a great pastime to enjoy with your partner.
Whatever sex you and your partner happen to be, many great games can bring people together. If you’re hoping to try one, here are three that almost certainly work.
Space Invaders
The power of old-school arcades was demonstrated in Stranger Things, where two characters sought to beat each other’s high scores and eventually ended up together. Whilst they played Dig Dug, classic retro gamers might be better off sticking to something like Space Invaders. It is one of the classic video games from the eighties, with influence today.
Space Invader games can be found on iOS in Space Invaders Infinity Gene, and that’s just the start. The online slot provider Coral has several Space Invader-themed games, such as Space Invaders Roulette, a variation on the theme. You might even pull out an old Atari and go full retro with the original game. Whatever you choose, Space Invaders is a classic that brings people together.
Mario Kart
Since the early nineties, Mario Kart has defined multiplayer gaming. It was one of the first games that utilized four controllers on the Super Nintendo and became one of Nintendo’s strongest sellers, overtaking the classic platform genre. The more recent games also encourage internet play, but there’s nothing quite like competing with someone in the same room as you.
Be aware whilst you will have a lot of fun, there’s the potential for flashpoints. Nobody likes to see a red shell coming their way, even less so if it’s been fired by your nearest and dearest as they cackle away next to you on the couch. Mario Kart is certainly one you’ll play for hours together, make sure your partner confirms that they love you before you deliver a heat-seeking shell up the rear.
Rock Band
Rock Band is a rhythm game which involves coordination and teamwork. If you go full Rock Band, you’ll end up with guitars, drums and all sorts of peripherals for you and your partner to enjoy. It’s a great feeling as if you’re in a band with your partner, especially if you share a similar musical taste.
We’ve seen Rock Band as a force for bringing people together in sitcoms as well; in the Big Bang Theory, Leonard’s mother and Sheldon were suspected of having an affair when they were caught jamming on Rock Band. That underlines its power to bring people together, and you and your partner will get lots of entertainment trying to keep up with some retro rock hits. If you don’t have all the gear, rhythm games of a similar type are easily found on iOS and Android.
