Are girls just as good as guys at gaming?

Video gaming has always been considered a social activity for young boys. At least that is how it was once viewed back when I grew up playing The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros on my Nintendo Entertainment console.
As the next-generation consoles advanced further in graphics and physics, so did the general gaming audience. Believe it or not, there are plenty of female gamers out there, in fact, 40% of all gamers are women according to this study. And they are good. Much to my chagrin, I can personally attest to this.

Now I must admit that is difficult for me to admit to this, for it is a direct blow to my macho manly mastodon-like manhood. My girlfriend can beat me in video games. I'd like to kid around and say I let her win, but I don't. I am quite competitive and do not like to lose. I guess that is something I have to get accustomed to as my girlfriend crushes my high scores on her first try.

It is something that I find tough to swallow, simply because I have been gaming since childhood! I'm like Mike Tyson in Punch-Out: my style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable. I'm not supposed to lose! Now I feel like the underdog, just like Little Mac.

Is it disheartening or demoralizing to lose to a girl? Yes, yes it is, but I've learned to accept that it isn't so bad to lose to your better half. I think it is great that my girlfriend is a gamer and that she's good at it. Most guys would be happy if their significant others shared that same interest. It is something most of us would consider a "catch." Plus it is fun knowing she has a little inner geek within her.

Now I must excuse myself as I attempt to trounce my girlfriend's high score. It's game over for her!