The game ‘Super Mario Bros.’ was first released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan on September 13, 1985. It was later exported to North America and then across the world. Growing up in Melbourne, Australia in the 1990’s, Nintendo was all the rage amongst my peers. My brother and I were no exception to this as we were also taken by the craze and, as young boys, spent countless hours playing the ‘Super Mario Bros.’ game, as well as my personal favourite, ‘Duck Hunt’. Although many youths of today would laugh at the graphics of ‘Super Mario Bros.’ and ‘Duck Hunt’, compared to ‘Pong’, it was quite an upgrade. (If you’re not sure what ‘Pong’ was, you need to Google it!)

For those in the younger generation bracket, it can be hard to think of life without visual entertainment and video games. However, there was a time when humanity existed without them! Just ask dad or mum about those times or, even better, grandpa or grandma, or an older relative. They had to play the “old fashioned way”: going outside to run around, play a sport, be inventive by making up a game, or ride a bike. We are certainly living in different times today. But are they better times?

Although the advances of modern technology are not all bad (remember, this world and its civilisation is built on the tree of the knowledge of good AND evil – see Genesis 2:15-17), it is certainly not all good.

Let’s get straight to the point: are you addicted to gaming? If you wouldn’t say you’re addicted, could you admit that you perhaps spend too much time playing video games? If you answered no to both these questions (and it’s very possible many of you could!), you’re actually in the minority amongst today’s younger generation.

Here are some statistics related to gaming in Australia according to the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association:

• 91 per cent of Australian households own a video game device
• The average age of a video game player in Australia is 34 years old
• Nearly half of those playing video game players are female
• In 2018 Australians spent more than $AU4 billion on games and associated hardware. This means Australians spend more on games than they spend on films, streaming services, pay TV, music, books or likely any other creative or entertainment activity (IGEA, “Australian Games Industry Statistics, at https://igea.net/faq/australian-games-industry-statistics/, accessed 27 June, 2025).

Collectively, Australian youth are addicted to gaming. The same can be said for young people in most other western nations around the world. If you are in this category, are you prepared to examine whether this is a path you want to continue? To be clear, this article is not telling you to never touch a video game again. However, the content of this article is designed to challenge you to think Biblically about this subject and encourage you to make changes if you need to.

Here are some points to consider:

• What types of games are you playing? It does matter to God what games you play. Any game that is associated with violence, demons, and sex is never appropriate for a young Christian. Games like ‘Fortnite’ and ‘Grand Theft Auto’ originate from the god of this world and should never be played. Of course, harmless sports or car racing games (and good old Super Mario) are typically acceptable. Again, not everything this world offers is inherently bad. However, if you’re uncertain about whether a game is appropriate, ask your parents. Also ask the question, “If Jesus Christ were sitting right next to me, would He want to play this particular game with me?” If the answer is a resounding “no,” why would you play it now? In a real sense, He IS next to you with the Holy Spirit currently working with you (John 14:17).
• Are you really developing your masculinity or femininity by being a “gamer”? Although gaming has historically been more of a male-dominated interest, many females are now getting hooked into it too. Whether you are male or female, is being a gamer really helping you develop life skills appropriate to your gender? Do you think that someone you might like to get to know better in the Church, would see a gaming habit as a desirable trait? The apostle Paul wrote, there is a time for childish things – when we are children – but when we mature, we need to put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11). Do we still want to be known as a grown adult who likes playing games, even if they are sophisticated video games? Perhaps it’s time to put away or at least reduce the amount of time you spend gaming!
• Could your time be spent better elsewhere? God’s Church needs young people to serve others within the Body. Yes, we need YOU! Although you can choose to have hours of fun all by yourself playing a video game, is that really utilising your time well in an age where God exhorts His people to walk circumspectly in these evil times (Ephesians 5:15-16)? Can you perhaps use your time more effectively? For example, how about organising one or two others to visit an older member of your local congregation? Men, is there a young lady in the congregation that could be encouraged by asking her out on a date or, more broadly, organise a group date for the singles in your congregation? Ladies, perhaps you could do some cooking for the family at home, or maybe you have noticed someone in the congregation who could do with a meal cooked for them, like a family with a new baby, or someone who is sick? In a world full of online interactions that are often shallow and incomplete, why not do it the old-fashioned way and spend time face-to-face with people, serving them and putting them ahead of yourself?

Young people, avoid the trap of being obsessed with gaming and, if needed, take steps to move away from this addiction and use that extra time to serve those around you, including family members, Church brethren, and friends. Spiritually speaking, Satan wants to distract you from more meaningful pursuits so that he can triumphantly claim it is, “Game Over!” Don’t let him have that victory.