Replaying familiar video games like Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi may help young adults fight burnout by sparking “childlike wonder”, a new study suggests.
Research published in JMIR Serious Games found that engaging with these colourful, predictable worlds provides a significant emotional reset for university students facing academic and financial pressure.
The study, led by researchers at Imperial College London and Kyushu Sangyo University, discovered that the joy experienced during gameplay initiates a “chain reaction” that boosts overall happiness, which in turn significantly lowers the risk of burnout.
“This study suggests that the path to combating burnout in young adults may lie not just in traditional wellness but also in reclaiming joy,” said author Andreas B. Eisingerich. “Games like Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi may offer a potent antidote to the cynicism and fatigue characteristic of burnout.”
The power of nostalgia
The research team used a mixed-methods approach, combining in-depth interviews with 41 university students and a broader survey of 336 players.
In interviews, students described the games as “uplifting” and a “refreshing break” from the demands of their “always-on” digital lives. Unlike modern, high-stakes competitive games, which can induce stress, the classic Nintendo titles offered a safe, cheerful environment that evoked carefree childhood experiences.
The researchers identified “childlike wonder” as the key psychological mechanism at play. This specific emotion — distinct from simple amusement — allows players to detach from adult responsibilities and enter a state of pure, uncritical engagement.
The happiness chain
Quantitative analysis confirmed the qualitative insights. Those who reported feeling a greater sense of childlike wonder while playing also reported higher levels of overall happiness.
Crucially, the data showed that this happiness “fully explained” — rather than contributed to — the link between gameplay and reduced burnout. In essence, the games served as a catalyst for emotional well-being, breaking the cycle of exhaustion.
The study is among the first to link “childlike wonder” in gaming directly to mental health outcomes in adults. The authors suggest that these familiar games function as accessible “digital micro-environments”; brief, low-pressure spaces where young adults can find genuine restoration without the need for expensive wellness retreats or therapies.
However, the team noted that the benefits depend on the type of game. The titles cited — Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi — are characterised by bright aesthetics, whimsical music and forgiving mechanics, which are essential for triggering the specific nostalgic response required to lower cortisol levels and combat cynicism.
