The Ick Factor

OK - you know how most games are generally marketed towards males? Note the "generally", but .. lots of black, green, khaki, guns, killing, knives, swords, armies, shooting, that kind of thing? When women play these games (if they do at all), I reckon that if we can get past the initial "ick", if it's a good game we'll persevere. It's getting past that "ick" that's sometimes tricky.

Sod knows I've never played any Call of Duty type games, and through sheer prejudice, it has to be said. Too grubby, would make me feel hairy-chested and grunty.

So here we have the tables turned. The wonderful chaps over at 4CR picked up Super Princess Peach, despite the shiny pinkness, despite the blonde and glitter and breathy voices and total girliness of it all. Despite having to use your 'emotions' as weapons and an umbrella as transport. And:

I love Super Princess Peach. There, I said it.

That's Benny, getting over the very same 'ick' factor. What a guy!

The game is a refreshing entry into the Mario series and every time I play it, I love it more and more. I’ll admit, I had my reservations as first. It started with the packaging, which is very fitting for a princess, but not so appealing to a 21-year-old male gamer.

Heh.

That’s another great thing about the game, despite all the window dressing and the change in hero(ine)… this is classic Mario platforming, nothing more, nothing less. Don’t be fooled by claims that the game is too “easy”, it’s just as “hard” as Super Mario World or Yoshi’s Island was… which is to say just right.

Good news, that.

So suck it up, let go of your ego, have no shame and pick this game up… it’s great, classic Nintendo platforming goodness (in heels).

So, apologies to 4CR for chunking up their post like that, but it's pretty fascinating to watch someone have to go through that personal journey to get to some good gaming content. I'm glad to see they're braver than I am, picking up SPP where I wouldn't pick up COD (hell, I'd be scared of picking up SPP too, it's so damn PINK): it's taught me a lesson.

Now, I'm not saying that in order to get more ladies playing games, then Call of Duty and such should be pinkified (haha, imagine!), but I am strongly reminded that the marketing message carries a whole ton of instructions in it which can be as appealing as offputting, depending on who you are and the lifestage you're in. I know older blokes are often embarassed, as women are turned-off, by that class of marketing designed to appeal to young lads, for instance.

Top marks to Benny for getting past the pink packaging, going where few men and few grown-up women would dare to go.

Comments

[573]

What exactly is the big deal? I'm male and I played Super Princess Peach. I never gave it a second thought -- "Oh no, this is pink! This is DEFINITELY threatening to my sexuality!". Pink is a color like all the rest, and really, who DOESN'T like Princess Peach? Who DIDN'T play as her in Super Mario Bros. 2?

Sort of off-topic, but, did anyone read the horrendous EGM reviews of the game? They weren't even reviews, but 3 people making stupid attempts at jokes. I don't even know why they have a review section anymore because they're obviously not interested in actually reviewing games.

[Jimmy]

Now somebody so very needs to make "Call of Duty: The Version Girls Will Play," which is exactly the same, except that all the character models are replaced by pink princesses, and all the vehicles are replaced by ponies.

[Alice]

Er :)

[Cris]

Yeah! And at the end of a mission they can have a sweaty slumber party in their panties!

Oh wait, we're trying to get the girls to play it aren't we?

Pssssh! Lets do it anyways, i know i'd play more COD...

"I'd be scared of picking up SPP too, it's so damn PINK"

Hold it!! What've you done with the real Alice?? There's no way the real A-T would ever be turned off by something being *too* pink!?!?

[Alice]

I totally misrepresented myself. My pink DS makes me ill now. I'm totally over it.

:D

[kamagurka]

And it doesn't strike anyone as sexist that her "superpower" is getting really really emotional and crying and stuff? Also, my DS budget this month was spent on Metroid Prime Hunters. So, so worth it. Speaking of which