# Videogame Reality Art Lee Vidal Puts Classic 8-Bit Characters Into Real-Life Scenes By Josh Triantafilou | Published 2012-05-18 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lee-vidal References: [buzzfeed](http://www.buzzfeed.com/donnad/retro-reality-brings-8-bit-icons-into-our-world) & [flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/leevidal/sets/72157626183171274/) In this recent series, photographer and artist Lee Vidal plops classic [8-bit characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/riki-8bit-game-collection) like Donkey Kong, Super Mario and Yoshi into real-world scenes for a decidedly surreal effect. It has become so common to see [retro, pixelated characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/8bitdo-retro-keycaps) on anything and everything from t-shirts and handbags to laptops and smartphones, that it’s hard to remember when they were primarily known as videogame characters. In homage to the classic games, Vidal has portrayed scenes as they would be found in the 8-bit adventures of old. For instance, in one picture, he depicts Mario scaling a skyscraper, dodging barrels thrown by Donkey Kong who stands menacingly atop the building's summit. In another photograph, Vidal depicts [pixelated motorcyclists racing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/16bit-display) across a scorching desert. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.8/10 - Popularity: 59% | Activity: 76% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Retro Gaming Art:** Opportunity to create and sell artwork that combines classic 8-bit characters with real-world scenes. - **Pixelated Fashion:** Potential for fashion industry to incorporate retro, pixelated characters into clothing and accessories. - **Nostalgic Gaming Merchandise:** Demand for products featuring classic video game characters in real-life scenarios. ### Where This Applies - **Photography:** Disruptive opportunity for photographers to create unique images by merging pixelated characters with real-world scenes. - **Art and Design:** Chance for artists and designers to explore the combination of retro gaming and real-life environments in their work. - **Gaming and Entertainment:** Innovation opportunity for video game developers and merchandisers to capitalize on nostalgia and incorporate classic characters into modern games and merchandise. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Holographic Video Game Characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protohologram.md) - [Video Game-Inspired Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pac-man-side-table.md) - [Video Game-Inspired LEGO Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunscreen-mist.md) - [Brick Toy Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-boy-set.md) - [Artistic Game-Inspired Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-de-guzman-1.md) - [Nostalgic Game Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/riki-8bit-game-collection.md) - [Retro Pixelated Cafe Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bearista-game.md) - [8-Bit Building Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-super-mario-world-mario-yoshi.md) - [Recreated Video Game Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playstation-to-plate.md)