Stranger Things Star Reflects on Missing Out on Childhood Games

If you grew up under the watchful eye of parents who viewed video games with suspicion, Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo understands your struggle. While his peers were busy climbing the leaderboards in Call of Duty, his gaming diet was strictly limited to family-friendly fare like Wii Sports. His mother, favoring gentle entertainment, kept a tight leash on any titles that leaned toward the visceral or violent.

That forced separation from mainstream gaming culture left a lasting impression. While Matarazzo can now look back with a sense of humor—recalling the allure of Guitar Hero and the odd charm of Wii Fit—those memories come with a distinct undertone of childhood frustration.

“I was genuinely bummed every time my mom brought up those restrictions,” he revealed to Polygon. For him, the content of the games mattered less than the communal experience. “It wasn’t about the game itself; it was about the social exclusion. I remember telling my mom, ‘This is actively hindering my ability to connect with my friends.’”

This month, Matarazzo joins us on Shelf Quest, our exploration of the digital worlds that shape our identities. For Matarazzo, gaming was a forbidden fruit—an experience that existed just beyond his grasp, waiting to be claimed. Eventually, as his career skyrocketed, the barriers finally came down.

Following his breakout success in theater and his iconic role in Stranger Things, the strict boundaries surrounding his hobby dissolved. Navigating the demands of a professional acting career in more mature environments, his mother eased the restrictions. The boy who once had to clandestinely play Black Ops at his cousin’s house under the cover of night was finally granted the autonomy to explore gaming on his own terms.

This delayed entry into the hobby resulted in a unique perspective. He didn’t grind through every annual franchise release; instead, he embraced gaming with a voracious appetite once the gate opened. Today, he speaks of Breath of the Wild with the kind of reverence typically reserved for cinematic classics.

There is a refreshing self-awareness in his reflections today. He doesn’t harbor resentment toward his mother’s instincts; he understands the intent. Yet, he is keenly aware of how easily parental caution can inadvertently limit a child’s worldview.

Currently balancing a busy slate—including the Hulu comedy Pizza Movie and a voice role in Andy Serkis’ upcoming Animal Farm—Matarazzo could easily have approached this interview as a standard promotional stop. Instead, he arrives as his authentic self: a thoughtful, slightly obsessive, and highly engaged player who hasn’t forgotten the sensation of peering in from the outside.

Join us for his full story on the latest episode of Shelf Quest.

Source: Polygon