Researchers from Imperial College London and Kyushu Sangyo University studying the connection between gaming and mental health have discovered that young adults who play Super Mario Bros and the expanded universe of Yoshi games experience less stress-induced burnout than their non-playing contemporaries.
The researchers identified several mechanisms behind the reduction of burnout from playing these games, including feelings of familiarity and a reported sense of childlike wonder that boosts overall happiness. The effort is among the first to find a link between positive mental well-being and feelings of childlike wonder, potentially offering a therapeutic alternative for mental health professionals working with stressed young adults.
“This study suggests that the path to combating burnout in young adults may lie not just in traditional wellness but also in reclaiming joy,” explained study author Andreas B. Eisingerich. “Games like Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi may offer a potent antidote to the cynicism and fatigue characteristic of burnout.”
Exploring Whether Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi Games Prevent Burnout
First introduced in 1985 as a spinoff of the popular Donkey Kong arcade game, the Super Mario Bros. franchise has sold more than 430 million games worldwide. This all-time best-seller status has attracted a diverse following, with the authors noting that the game’s appeal “transcends age, culture, and nationality.”
“Yoshi are all cultural icons, instantly recognizable even to non-gamers,” they explain.
Previous studies have identified potential health benefits of gaming, including cognitive escapism and relaxation. However, the authors note that “critical questions remain about the influence of popular video games, such as Super Mario Bros., and their potential effects on young adults’ burnout risk.”
Although the Super Mario Bros and Yoshi games have broad appeal, the researchers focused on their potential effects on burnout among young adults for several reasons. For example, they note that adulthood is often referred to as “emerging adulthood.” They said scientists consider this phase as a ‘distinct stage’ of physical and emotional development, “characterized by identity exploration, instability, self-focus, and shifts in social roles, typically spanning the late teens and 20s.”
“These onset patterns often coincide with major life transitions involving education, work, and growing autonomy, which have been linked to higher psychological distress and lower well-being among young adults,” they explain. “Hence, focusing on this demographic remains critical for understanding today’s mental health challenges and for identifying where digital interventions might best support well-being.”
In-Depth Interviews and Wider Surveys Agree on Gaming Benefits
To measure any potential connection between burnout and the Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi games and understand why they resonate,” the research team interviewed 41 university students with a mean age of 22.51 years. All in-depth interview subjects were regular players of these games.
Next, the researchers supplemented this data with a survey of 338 players of Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi games. Unlike the in-depth interviews, this survey focused on the games’ potential to foster feelings of childlike wonder, promote overall life happiness, and mitigate burnout.
When analyzing the interview results, the team found several consistent patterns. Most of the 41 subjects described the games as “uplifting” and reminiscent of more carefree childhood experiences. Respondents also said playing these games offered a ‘refreshing break’ from their daily academic pressures. They also cited the games’ ability to provide a respite from “constant digital demands, and the broader ‘always-on’ culture” affecting their generation.
“Insights from in-depth interviews showed that players appreciated the ability of Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi games to instill childlike wonder, enhance happiness in life, and reduce burnout risk,” they explained.
The team said the survey data “confirmed these insights,” including feelings of childlike wonder, higher overall happiness, and reduced burnout. Notably, the team found that the feelings of happiness generated by the experience “fully explained” the link between reduced burnout and a sense of wonder.
“In essence, the joy sparked by these games initiates a chain reaction that helps promote emotional well-being,” they explained. “By moving beyond escapism and nostalgia, it offers a new perspective on how well-designed, globally familiar games can function as accessible, resilience-building digital microenvironments.”
Explaining How Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi Games Create Positive Feelings
After examining the responses, the researchers identified several likely components of gameplay that foster mental health benefits. For example, they suggest that engaging with the “demanding spatial navigation, timing, and problem-solving tasks” required to survive in areas like the Mushroom Kingdom requires focused attention.
The team said this increased working memory load likely acts as a distraction from non-game forces, “effectively diverting finite cognitive resources away from rumination on real-world worries or negative thoughts.”
“Players become deeply immersed in ‘being’ Mario or Yoshi, navigating the space, temporarily suspending self-referential thoughts and worries about real-life identity or performance,” they explain.
When discussing the worlds and adventures experienced during actual gameplay, the team noted that consistently overcoming obstacles to achieve goals “serves as a powerful symbolic representation of perseverance and eventual triumph.”
“Engaging with this narrative, especially through active participation (the player is Mario or Yoshi), can subtly reinforce schemas related to resilience and positive outcomes.”
One example highlighted by the team involved the game’s core objectives, such as helping Prince Florian or rescuing Princess Peach. Unlike the complex stresses of young adulthood, which can increase the risk of burnout, the team said straightforward missions with “unambiguous and morally positive” objectives offer an escape from complex emotional baggage. This simplicity reduces cognitive load during real-world problem-solving, resulting in improved well-being and reduced stress.
“While challenging in their own ways, Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi games generally lack the prolonged high-stress tension of survival horror or competitive multiplayer games,” the study authors explain. “Their rhythm often involves bursts of focused action followed by brief moments of lower tension (eg, traversing cleared sections), allowing for a more sustainable and restorative form of play.”
A Potent Tool for Creating a Mental ‘Reset’
When discussing potent applications of their findings, the study authors said Yoshi and Super Mario Bros. games may offer an easy entry point for university students looking for a break from everyday stresses that can lead to burnout.
“For young adults navigating high stress and limited downtime, everyday play may quietly support resilience in ways previously overlooked,” they explained. ‘This research suggests that familiar, creatively designed games can serve as accessible, low-pressure digital microenvironments, offering emotional reset moments.’
In the study’s conclusion, the authors say these games may represent a potent tool for stress reduction, mood enhancement, and cognitive restoration, “creating a mental ‘reset’ that can foster a more optimistic and resourceful return to daily life.” They also suggest that gameplay could be used by mental health professionals assisting young adults with the stresses affecting their everyday lives.
“These findings contributed to research bridging gaming and mental health and have practical implications for game designers, educators, and health professionals interested in promoting mental wellness through everyday play,” they concluded.
The study “Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi Games’ Affordance of Childlike Wonder and Reduced Burnout Risk in Young Adults: In-Depth Mixed Methods Cross-Sectional Study” was published in JMIR Publications.
Christopher Plain is a Science Fiction and Fantasy novelist and Head Science Writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with him on X, learn about his books at plainfiction.com, or email him directly at christopher@thedebrief.org.