The cheat codes and the improved evil mushroom
Sometimes things get better with age. Fine wine and Gouda cheese are a couple of examples. In fact, there are more than a few things that improve over time. The internet is a non-food example. As are videos and video games. There are some things that, over time, improved so much they became mere shades of how they began. Evil mushrooms notwithstanding.
Similarly, video games improved, and became increasingly difficult. Anyone that enjoyed playing a video game could understand the frustration of getting stuck on a level. This was particularly true in the very early days of gaming when Nintendo was the most coveted of home consoles for gaming. Furthermore, they had the one game everyone wanted to play.
Mario world. And then it became Super Mario world. Then the one that put gaming at the center of entertainment for the day – Super Mario World 3. Not only were these games in demand but also everyone wanted to play them. And why not? Finally there was a budget friendly alternative to the expensive gaming Arcades of the day.
The Cheat Codes
Gaming finally came home. And getting stuck on a level was the new slang. Furthermore, that was one of the problems that helped to inspire the cheat codes. Playing a video game is more than just an exercise. It can be an immersive experience. Similarly it can be easy to invest time in things like the story line. And the adventure of the game, as well as the pace of the game. There is a certain compulsion to continue the game play.

For Mario world it was to rescue the Princess from the evil Bowser. Additionally it would take the completion of many levels to do so. That was part of the appeal. The challenge of making it to the end of the game. Everyone wanted to see Mario rescue the Princess. Everyone except Bowser. And he made it as difficult as possible.
Then came the cheat codes. Not every game had them. In some of the early games it took pressing special button configurations to activate a cheat code. Other cheat codes might be entered at the main menu with a keyboard. And for the determined cheat code enthusiast there were things like Game Sharks.
The Improved Evil Mushroom
Just like fine wine, video games improved over time. In some ways they became more intuitive, therefore they were more difficult. In fact, getting stuck on a level was more common than ever. However there were strategy guides and cheat codes. Furthermore, by then, game designers were creating games with built in secrets. There were even perks in the games if the player was savvy enough to find out what they were.
One excellent example of this is the flute in Super Mario World 3. For those playing the game when it was first introduced, the magic flute was only a rumor at first. Something people made up. Until it was actually found. Then it became the single most important thing in the whole game. In fact it expanded the game so much it was like getting a second game for free.
This also meant an improved evil mushroom. Additionally, the improvements were so advanced it became necessary to have a magic flute. The games themselves became more difficult because of the abundance of the cheat codes. It was very advanced and entertaining for the way things were in those days. It was also one of the few ways around that improved evil mushroom.
More Cheat Codes
That was the beginning of an interesting aspect of gaming. It is also where the concept of Easter eggs in video games originated. In fact, the cheat codes became the Easter eggs in some cases. For example the skulls on Halo. Find the appropriate one and things improve. Find the wrong one and things get funky. Just like an Easter egg.
It is also similar to this story. There is more than meets the eye. That means there needs to be one more continuation. Stay tuned, and thanks for reading.
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