July 8: Video Games Day
Bowser wasn’t one for video games, at first.
Junior was the first to get into them, obtaining a variety of consoles that have taken a good portion of his room- which is impressive, considering the rest of it was filled with his bed, art supplies, and hundreds of canvases.
He thought that Junior would be the only child to have an interest in them.
Until he found Ludwig playing “Guitar Villian” with Junior cheering him on.
After that, the other Koopalings started trickling into the hobby as well, with each delving into genres that contributed variety to Junior’s collection.
Larry was predictably drawn towards the adventure/Beat-‘em-Up genres that exuded flashy action sequences and mechanics. However, he was also a bit picky about which he plays, as Bowser found out the hard way.
Morton, on the other hand, surprisingly liked mystery-oriented games like “Professor Clayton”, or “Sphinx Bright: Ace Attorney”. He is also surprisingly good at them, but only if he lets himself stew over the information he’s given (and remembers where he left off).
Wendy was someone who enjoyed anything from the "Barbee" series, although Bowser couldn’t see the connection between that and the gorey Horror games she likes. He’s not sure if he ever wants to know.
Iggy was the one who enjoyed Sci-fi games like “Malter Effect”- usually getting drawn in by the promise of complex technological ‘world building’, but then somehow ending up obsessed with the fictional characters.
Roy had a preference for laid-back games like "Laircraft", liking to build fortresses, treehouses, and other architectural projects that could be made in a cubical world.
Lemmy was the one who liked playing simulators, some of which seem to be ‘out there’ in terms of what the simulation is- like being in control of a Piranha Plant or living through historical tragedies.
Ludwig liked any and every type of musical or rhythm-based game. The sudden veer toward “Just Stomp” was a surprise, of course, but logically followed the same principles he enjoyed with “Rhythm Heck”.
Junior still had his preference for racers and sport-related games, but the gradual inclusion of the collective Koopaling collection has made him try other games- having more success with Larry’s and Roy’s recommendations.
Heck, even Bowser got roped into participating in their gaming sessions. If not as an onlooker, then as a teammate or opponent. It… was more fun than he anticipated.
So, when he married Luigi (with his kids’ insistence and Mario’s blessing), he felt like he only had to wait a week before finding Luigi in the same boat.
And then he found out his husband was a bit of a gamer too. Just…
Not exactly the same level as the kids.
For whatever Grambi-damned reason, Luigi was ridiculously lucky in anything involving chance.
Secret Combos? Completely discovered by accident.
Finding randomized clues? Somehow uses the correct sequence of finding them even when he visibly looks lost.
Horror game survival? Always chooses the right path or figures out the quickest way to defeat the creature/bad guy.
Speech checks? Always passed on the first try.
"Laircraft" Loot? Roy immediately started farming cave chests with Luigi ‘taking a turn’.
Unlocking hidden achievements? Always, always getting at least one every session.
Following the rhythm of a new song? Somehow never stumbles despite his clumsiness.
Getting power up’s in a racer game? Always the right one for the situation, especially ones that get Luigi into 1st place.
The fact that his luck is ridiculous enough to transcend genres is a point of wonder (and bets) among his kids, and Bowser ended up dreading the day they run out of games to lob at him.
And then they turned to card games- specifically poker.
It was a type of videogame that Bowser couldn’t get- why gamble play a virtual game of cards if you could do it easily in real life?
And, knowing that Luigi used to work in a casino (so many questions, so little answers), Bowser figured he’d have that game in the bag.
And then he saw him lose, for the first time ever.
The Koopalings, who have gathered to spectate another success, were stunned silent as they realized that Luigi LOST.
Bowser was stunned silent, but for a different reason:
Luigi looked resigned- like this happened before.
“I guess there are rules in this world that never change…”
“What.”
"Ah," Luigi just blinks at them all, not understanding the sheer significance of what they witnessed. "I'm not good with card games."
“What.”
"Um. I'm not good with them?"
“Mama, surely you're joking.... you're not joking ohmystars-"
"Why would I joke about that?"
"Why would you be horrible with card games?"
"Not horrible! Just... unlucky."
...
Even far outside the castle, citizens of the Koopa Kingdom have heard a loud, collective snort that conveyed varying levels of disbelief.
But they continue their day, blaise and knowing that Luigi is the cause of it.
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