The problem with a whole lot of the people here on Gamespot is that, being mostly men 15-24, they seem to be hung up on violence and sex. Not that I don't like a good shooter or a skimpy heroine (Like the character my username comes from), but these are not what make a good game. However, these seem to be the end-all be-all for many of the gamers here at Gamespot and throughout North America (I make no claim to know what European and Japanese gamers believe). And this is the apparent reason for the large anti-Nintendo sentiment here on Gamespot. As everyone knows, the Nintendo name has always been synonymous with a more family-friendly brand of gaming. Zelda, Mario, Pikmin, Animal Crossing, F-Zero, these are all wonderful series of games that have endured on the back of solid design, creativity and plain old fun. What Nintnedo has never been able and/or willing to do is make a game that capitalizes on the cheap, offensive violence and sexual exploitation that has made Take-Two Games (Rockstar Games' parent company) second only to EA in the videogame software industry. Nintendo doesn't take the easy route of putting busty, half-naked women, guns, swear words and buckets of blood into their games. Instead, they of their offerings will present players with an easily accessable good time that will stir at emotional triggers, generate real, lasting excitement, and linger in the hearts of gamers long after the nameless space marine has put down his plasma gun. However, with that commitment to lasting fun over cheap thrills, Nintendo has become villified by "mainstream" gamers. More than once, I've seen people here accusing the Gamecube (and the DS, and the GBA) of being "for children." Am I to believe that somehow being a "grown-up" gamer means having to embrace garbage like Rockstar's upcoming Bully, or Konami's Crime Life? Sorry, but I come from a time when gameplay and story mattered more than having the girl with the biggest breasts and the guy with the foulest mouth. Not that I don't like violent games. I love Halo and Resident Evil and all that. However, I see a disturbing trend of gaming becoming more and more lurid, more willing to let gameplay take a backseat to violence and sexual exploitation, and only Nintendo and a few other software companies like Natsume seem to be willing to do anything about it. It baffles me that Nintendo's efforts have earned them derision rather than praise here on Gamespot. Of course, I don't expect to change anyone's mind. Everyone else can have their Grand Theft Autos and their Condemneds. I'll travel with Mario and Link down the road less traveled any day.