New Super Mario Bros (Wii)
Quite how Nintendo have managed to create a masterpiece of a game that is so much like it was in 1985 and yet so radically different is simply beyond me.
This game sent me bouncing back to the late 80's with a spectacular 2D gaming experience that maintains the very heart of the originals all those years ago.
So much has been incorporated from the early games like the same power-ups and environments and all of those familiar characters we all love.
The music is even the same and subsequently has been stuck in my head all week.
More importantly the fluid, inventive, fun and quite simply perfect gameplay has never been better.
If you were a fan of the old games then this really is going to be heaven.
The frustrations of the original are here such as forgetting to jump that turtle shell and having to go back to the last save point!
I have played this game for an hour or two so far and sat there like an overgrown child nodding to myself and chuckling as the memories came flooding back.
Level design is fantastic. At times the game is so difficult you feel like sticking your foot through the TV. There is a rather handy new super-guide though which basically allows you to let the computer complete a level for you after you have had 8 attempts.
The best thing about this new game is that there is now a 4-player co-op game that allows players to drop in and out of the action.
The manic nature of the co-op mode is perfect family fun and madness, players can of course 'co-operate' but with four of you on the screen at the same time it can be a little troublesome at times and can work in the favour of the more mischievous gamer!
Nintendo have cleverly introduced a bubble for your characters. This bubble will trap you if your character dies and other players need to release you. You can also opt to bubble yourself and stay out of harms way if a particular challenge is a bit too awkward.
The makers have clearly created the whole gaming experience with an aim of creating a high-octane, visually charming and utterly addictive modernization of the original.
Two of the best new additions to the game are in the form of the penguin suit and helicopter suit.
Each one is brilliant in its own right, the helicopter suit as you would expect let's you fly and makes it easier to reach even the highest of coins.
The penguins suit lets you throw snowballs and slide on your belly at great speeds.
The kids thought this was great fun, they loved riding on Yoshi too - especially when he kept lashing his tongue out and eating everything.
The Wii-mote is put to great use. You shake it to fly, angle it to balance on see-saws and so on.
The magic is that the Wii-mote isn't over-used, it is incorporated into certain elements of the game but in a subtle and well-used way.
Anyone who has ever loved a Mario game will fall in love once again; this is a perfect 2D adventure.
Top-notch throughout and offering so much in the way of gameplay it's hard to see how anyone could even comprehend making a challenge for its' crown as the king of the 2D family game.
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Authors
Steve Wollaston - Sunday Mercury games reviewer Steve has been writing about video games for donkey's years. In fact he is probably far too old for it now which is why you will see a lot of reviews been done by kids... He has been nominated three times for Regional Games Journalist Of The Year at the Games Media Awards, but never wins. His major love is sports games and rates Sensible World of Soccer circa 90's as the greatest game ever made - closely followed by Championship Manager 2. Skyrim has currently taken over his life.
