A few decades ago the masses believed video games were a waste of time for lackadaisical youths to pacify themselves while ignoring their responsibilities as both kids and young adults. As more and more people started understanding the benefits of gaming so too did the perception of what a video game is and, most importantly, the benefits gaming can bestow on a person’s life changed.
Hi, my name is James Bullock and I am a gamer who has spent the better part of his existence testing the laws of physics, exploring the vastness of a world ruined, and been a champion inside various arenas courtesy of digitized worlds both driven by reality and created through pure unbelievable ingenuity unlike anything seen by human eyes. And as a gamer I’ve discovered something else video games provide: life lessons. Today I examine a game that showcases what is the true path to success, “PaRappa the Rapper”.
The Rhythm of Success
To learn a new skill is commendable. Working hard to overcome limitations and, hopefully, mastering said skill will bring great satisfaction and maybe even the heart of that intended special someone. So is the case of PaRappa – a paper-thin dog trying his best to rap in an effort to gain the affection of Sunny Funny. Overwhelmed by the aggressive nature of Funny’s other admirer, PaRappa realizes that rapping won’t cut the mustard if he wants to contend with the narcissistic Joe Chin. PaRappa, overcome with emotion & determination in hopes of figuring out how to impress Sunny, decides to learn kung-fu. Though rapping and kung-fu are two totally different things, PaRappa finds that they go hand-in-hand thanks to both being rhythm based (seriously, didn’t Wu-Tang clan educate the kids about that as well).
With the help of Chop Chop Master Onion, PaRappa perfects his kung-fu skills before heading off to earn his driver’s license. Like kung-fu and rapping, successful driving (under the watchful eye of Instructor Mooselini) sees PaRappa find his rhythm behind the wheel. Though PaRappa crashes his dad’s car soon after, the rapping canine isn’t deterred as learns how to work at a flea market. Getting into the groove of working a nine-to-five job thanks to the assistance of Prince Fleaswallow, PaRappa makes up for the damages done to his dad’s vehicle before teaching himself how to cook a birthday cake for the hopeful lady in his life by watching the antics of Cheap Cheap the cooking chicken.
It seems things are going well for the young dog when Mother Nature comes calling; demanding PaRappa take a bathroom break. During this moment of hopeful bladder release PaRappa is forced to put his skills to the test in an effort to reach the front of the bathroom line; overcoming all of his former teachers in an epic rap battle. PaRappa’s sharpened skilled showcase a rhythm beyond measure both in terms of musically and emotionally. This impressive display gives way to PaRappa to not only perform at Club Fun, but also profess his feelings for Sunny; a love reciprocated as PaRappa is celebrated alongside his friends & teachers alike.
Like so many skills & activities, success in life works hand-in-hand with rhythm. When you see something is working, don’t break the rhythm. Instead, get deeper into the rhythm’s groove and don’t let up. And if, for some odd reason, you lose the rhythm, just remember regaining the groove is as simple as punch, kick, block, kick, punch, punch, kick – it’s all in the mind!
Have you learned any major life lessons from playing “PaRappa The Rapper” or any video game for that matter? Leave them in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading.
