Video games are influential on kids from their youth because they shape and train the way their brains think.

As a kid, “Super Mario Bros.” taught us that flowers were the way for a person to spit out fireballs.

Of course it never worked, but then came different games.

In “Mike Tyson’s Punch Out,” you learned that a little guy, such as protagonist Little Mac, could knock anybody out.

“Street Fighter” brought forth thoughts of doing a shoryuken, or a dragon punch, a leaping uppercut, thanks to Ken Masters and Ryu.

But as the years went along the games evolved, we suddenly seemed to be left at a disadvantage.

That’s because games like “Madden” and “NBA 2K” put gamers in situations where they could practice on their mental game.

Sure, athletes can go on the court and practice shooting a basketball or throwing a football, but gaining game-time experience is impossible to do if not in a game.

Until now, of course.

Now, you can create your own fantasy teams on the television, or can even relocate a team to Los Angeles and fill a void of a professional football team, thanks to “Madden NFL 25.”

If a person wants to steal a car or boat and shoot a victim, they’re going to jail for years. But in “Grand Theft Auto” you’re on your way to a big “score.” This can bring the wrong idea to children under 18 years of age.

Heists are just another way of living in Los Santos, a virtualized reproduction of Los Angeles that is nearly-identical to its real-life counterpart.

Really, it’s the fault of parents that video games have gotten to where they’re at.

At this point, the parent’s generation grew up raised by video games. which served as a form of a babysitter.

They were raised with the Nintendo and Sega Genesis consoles. It worked well enough that they’ll raise their kids with the upcoming Playstation 4 and Xbox One consoles.

And the games will continue to look more realistic every day, enough to fool one to think that this could be taking place in real life.

What stops them from thinking so when they step outside the house? Wait, it’s already happening.