Hollywood is hitting a golden age of shared universes on the big screen. Disney's Marvel Studios kicked started the movement in 2008 and bolstered a catalog of twelve movies with ten more planned in the next four years. Warner Bros.' owned DC Comics are also getting a slice of the shared universe pie with Batman V. Superman. Even TV shows like Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow are also all sharing the same universe. 

Unfortunately, in the video game industry there is a lack of compelling shared universes. Nintendo is a slight exception; they do have the Super Smash Bro. Series and Donkey Kong is somewhat in the Mario universe, historically. But there's nothing as compelling as movies intertwining within each setting up for the next. 

Mario and Donkey Kong is the original gaming shared universe in video games.

Besides, there have already been some enjoyable universes in video games, even outside of Nintendo. The Legacy of Kain is a great example of how well a shared universe can work in video games. Soul Reaver and Blood Omen were incredible games introducing characters that intertwined in each others stories.

The best thing about a shared universe is how much the narrative of a story enhances.

Kain and Raziel from Legacy of Kain

A game series that could benefit greatly by a shared universe is the Arkham series. There are a plethora of DC characters that could be added to the game or have their own spin-off games: Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Arrow, and many more DC properties.

Can you imagine an Arkham Justice? Rocksteady could expand upon their franchise and create a shared game universe for DC to add to their movie and television catalog. 

A shared universe doesn't have to be applied to an existing series.

New IPs can be launch amazing stories and characters for gamers to invest in. So what do you guys think? Could the video game industry benefit from more shared universes? Sound off on the comments below. 

Coming the Nintendo 3DS is Mario & Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move!

The goal of the game is to place blocks on a board in order to make a path for Mario- Minis (little windup Mario robots) so they can travel to the goal at the end of the stage before the clock runs out!

Other types of mini-game stages will be unlockable and include firing the Minis from a cannon or even directly controlling them as they scramble for coins in a timed level.

You have 180 different levels to enjoy, plus a robust stage creation mode to create your own Minis puzzles (which can then be shared via Streetpass).

It’s a cute little puzzle game with all the fun and charm Nintendo is known for. It is going to be very different than the previous title, Mario and Donkey Kong: Miniland Mayhem, but I am definitely excited for this game!

Mario & Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move will be available May 13^{th in} the US, on the Nintendo eShop for $9.99.

Want to know how Mario and DK met? Click here!

The battle between Mario and Donkey Kong has been known for decades, even centuries. Wait, maybe not that long...

With the release of Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move for 3DS approaching, I decided to explore the relationship further.

The history of these two iconic Nintendo characters is long and full of interesting takes on the relationship. But there are some parts of this relationship that you may not know about. Was this hatred stemmed from a companionship? Was this hatred formed from jealousy? Or was Donkey Kong a huge gorilla with an anger management problem?

Well, it all started with an Italian plumber who took an ape as a pet, as weird as that may sound. Yes, you heard right. Donkey Kong was actually Mario’s pet ape before he escaped and kidnapped Mario’s main squeeze, Pauline (not Peach, she comes later).

In Donkey Kong, the game that first debuted the rivalry, we discover that Donkey Kong has escaped and angrily takes Pauline captive. Jumpman, aka Mario, has to save Pauline, jumping over barrels and avoiding fire. Many people - mostly me - think this stemmed from neglect on Mario’s part. Donkey Kong, trapped in a cage, only wanted Mario’s attention. Many others think that DK only kidnapped her because she was pretty...

Since the 1981 release of Donkey Kong, Mario and his pet gorilla have battled it out, turning their once loving relationship into hatred. It’s in the 1982 Donkey Kong Jr. that Donkey Kong takes the role of damsel in distress when Mario holds the gorilla hostage while Donkey Kong’s son has to rescue him.

Will the rivalry never end?

Although their relationship seems peaceful in games like Mario Kart and even friendly in Mario Party, we see that their relationship is still just as flawed in Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong, wanting to support his good friend Mario, goes to the store to buy some Mini Mario toys. Seeing that none are available, he then goes on a sort of rampage and breaks into the Mario Toy Factory and takes some Mini Marios hostage.

Even after the hassle seen above, there is a sequel where Donkey Kong kidnaps Pauline... again. This game is then followed by more sequels, but I’m sure you get the point: Donkey Kong doesn’t seem to be trying to patch up this relationship.

This battle seems to be never ending. The history of Mario and Donkey Kong’s relationship is a long one, and won’t be ending anytime soon. With the release of Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, the long rivalry continues, with no hope of reconciliation in site.