A Post-Modern Powerup

When you think of power-ups you think of oompf. If you are playing Zelda and you get the hookshot, you are able to attack, stun and pull yourself over wide precipices. If you get the leaf in Mario 3 you can make a little Italian fly and if you drink a potion in Final Fantasy a tiny bit of your life is restored.

The power-up is what makes games a little extra fun. We enjoy seeing power-ups sprinkled throughout the game as rewards for our hard work, they are instant and noticable changes to the nature of your gaming experience. In life there are no such power ups, save maybe drugs (which aren't really upping your life in any real way to begin with).

But when I think of a great power-up, I dont think of a leaf or a bottled fairy or a pac-man power pellet. When I think of a great power-up I think of the Mario Kart Star. The star in Mario Kart is unique in that it doesn't really give you anything. Yes you're speed increases, but only slightly. But it doesn't make you jump, it isn't a massive boost, and it doesn't serve as a projectile weapon.

The Mario Kart Star just ... makes everything alright. It let's you just "be." And when you think of the star as a concept for life, a momentary glowing barier that keeps out opponants and lets you just roll though the world smoothly...now that is a power-up.

We live our lives trying to just be and it's not an easy thing to do. With the Star power-up you become a more confident, less distracted. It doesn't make anything come out of you and it isn't primarily a tool for attacking, it is a state of existence power-up, maybe the only one of its kind.

When you have the star it makes you just want to be a better competator. It isn't a flamboyant power-up, it isn't extroverted, attack based or violent. It is a reminder to do better, to focus in and to just enjoy the ride.