I know; it's shocking.
But it's especially shocking when you realize I was around 8 years old when the NES was released. I was in the key demographic! Why didn't I have one? Simple. When my mom told me I could get an NES or an Atari 7800, I made the epically wrong decision to go with the Atari.
It was a choice that almost ruined my early years. If not for the kindness of my NES-owning friends, I would have had a Marioless childhood.
Now...Mario games have come and gone over the past 20+ years, but when New Super Mario Bros. was released in 2006, I couldn't pass it up -- I had to correct my long-standing mistake. It took me a while, but I finally got my hands on a DS...and the rest is history.
To put it simply, New Super Mario Bros. is sidescrolling perfection. The game retains the charm and excitement of its 1985 sibling, while managing to feel fresh and new.
The concept is simple -- Mario jumps, ducks, and chucks fireballs in his quest to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the vile Bowser. The levels are challenging, but like any well-designed game, never frustrating. The graphics are vibrant and crisp -- delightfully good for a handheld.
My kids loved the game. From the time we started playing it, our house was gripped with mock urgency to rescue Princess Peach (my girls are big fans of her majesty). My five year old enjoyed playing the earlier levels. But as the game progressed and things got more intense, she would frequently pass the DS to me. By the time we reached level 6, I was the primary player, with both kids eagerly watching. But don't get me wrong -- they enjoyed the entire experience. They couldn't take their eyes off the action flickering on the duel screens in front of them.
The bottom line: Some things are worth the wait.
New Super Mario Bros. is good. How good? If you or your child has a DS, go buy it now. If you don't have a DS, start checking craigslist for used ones today. You'll be happy you did.
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