Video Game Nightmares

Ryan LOVES video games. This in itself is not an issue. He loves the colors, the movement, the music (which he can mimic perfectly, btw...sigh!) BUT he doesn't 'get' it. He doesn't understand the concept of the character 'dying' or losing lives or whatever it is on a particular game. Super Mario Bros for the Wii is the game we've been having the most trouble with. He LOVES it but it is a huge source of stress for him.

He stims from the music and vibrant colors. He jumps, flaps his arms and moves his body is funny, jerky movements following the character on the game. He gets so into the game, he virtually loses touch with reality for a little while. He gets very upset when the character gets hit by an enemy or 'dies'. By the end of a game, he is sweating, red faced and generally just upset and out of sorts.

He has hit Eric and himself during game play because he is so upset. He has cried because of events that occur in the game.

So should I remove the video game from him? Or do I try to continue desensitizing him to it? Keep explaining that it's not real or reality and that it should just be for fun? It's so hard to explain some of these kinds of things to a child that doesn't 'get' imaginary things or 'pretend' ideas.