Head Over Heels - Rife With Complex Symbolism?

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to a Gamestudies.org research paper claiming to chart 'interactivity and signification' in classic '80s videogame Head Over Heels. This academic paper notes the presence of a Prince Charles sprite in the classic puzzle/platformer, explaining: "There are puzzles where Head or Heels move a chess piece suspiciously similar to the crown prince of England. On the first semantic level of the game this act is metonymically self-reflexive, referring to the act of playing the game... on the second semantic level, the puzzle metaphorically refers to the way in which Charles has been manipulated to marry Diana." It concludes, marvellously, in finding "...an allegorical reading of the game in terms of love and marriage which for a contemporary English audience may have carried references to the failed marriage between Charles and Diana."

Comments

No Duh

[illuminata]

Symbolism is apparent everywhere, I'll give some more examples.

Mario and Peach are symbolic of the struggle between love, jealousy, and trying to get some alone time without having envious little rat bastards following you constantly.

Sonic the Hedgehog is symbolic of the fact that you indeed can breeze through life with the use of speed, and that speed isn't such a bad thing after all.

The Final Fantasy series is symbolic of coming to terms with your sexuality, which is especially true as you progress through X-2.

The Grand Theft Auto series is symbolic of love, care, compassion, and why all are necessary to complete your goals.

The Resident Evil series is symbolic of the constant fight between the communists and those who wish to be free.

Keep looking, symbolism is everywhere!