Educational stalwart PBS has kicked off a new web series focused entirely on video games, titled Game/Show. Starring Kill Screen's Jamin Warren as host, the first episode has just gone up. It centers around iconic classic characters like Mario, Sonic, and Link, and what differentiates them from modern ones like Sam Fisher and Solid Snake.

The debut episode (via Joystiq) argues that those classic characters have more longevity because of the first mover advantage, since they were introduced during a time with less selection. The host also notes that they have certain traits from Joseph Campbell's monomyth--particularly the hero from humble beginnings going through a transformation to vanquish whatever evil is plaguing the world. Or Mushroom Kingdom, as the case may be.