At Shadow Ridge High School, life isn’t all about studying and preparing for the future,sometimes, students just need to unwind. For senior Kainoa Nihipali, that break comes from something a little unexpected: games on Netflix.
“I started playing them over winter break when my family found them on Netflix,” Nihipali said.
What started as a family discovery quickly turned into one of his favorite ways to relax. He explained that having the games right there on an app everyone already uses makes it easy to jump in without downloading anything else. Even though Netflix is mostly known for streaming movies and shows, Nihipali said his favorite part is getting competitive with a simple classic.
“I mostly play Tetris because that’s the game I’m best at,” Nihipali stated.
Nihipali laughed a little, adding that it’s one of those games that never really goes out of style, no matter how old it is. Outside of gaming, Nihipali keeps a busy schedule balancing classes and senior activities. Because of that, he doesn’t spend too much time playing during the week.
“Depending on who I’m with it changes, but I usually play once a week,” Nihipali expressed.
Playing casually helps him keep games fun without it taking over the rest of his life. It’s not just about competing, either. What Nihipali really enjoys about Netflix games is that they’re more about connection than competition.
“I like how you can play with friends and family and it’s not like an online game,” Nihipali explained.
For him, it’s a way to spend real time with people instead of just chatting through a screen. Still, he sees room for Netflix to improve.
“I wish there was more than just four family games,” Nihipali remarks.
Having more options, he thinks, could get even more students interested in trying them out. While some might worry that gaming can become a distraction, Nihipali doesn’t see it that way.
“No, I still am on top of all my schoolwork,” Nihipali said confidently.
For him, it’s about balance and knowing when to stop.
“It’s a great way to hang out with friends and have fun,” Nihipali said.
And for a senior enjoying his last year at Shadow Ridge, that sounds like a game worth playing.
