So many memories, so little time.

After an exhaustive debate with myself as to what to write today’s article on, I kept thinking back to my usual comfortable space reserved for my gaming go-to when it comes to fun: Mario. I wouldn’t be the same kid had the plumber in the red hat never entered my life with his own special brand of crazy. So here’s my retrospective, minus any offshoots. This is just the main Mario series, so no karts, sports, or parties. And I’ll have to break this into two parts, with me focusing exclusively on the 2D platformers today. So let’s-a go!

Donkey Kong:

A classic in every sense of the word.

It all began with the 1982 arcade game named after his original archenemy, Donkey Kong, where Mario’s only name was Jumpman. His outfit looked the same though, and his notable jumping abilities were ever prevalent. I played this one a few times as a kid but only for the spectacle of it. I wasn’t anywhere near good, not until I grew up anyway. Still, of the three main characters of the game, Mario went on to be the most famous. Donkey Kong moved on to another series, Donkey Kong Country, though not as the main character. Donkey Kong from the arcade is actually Cranky Kong. The last character, Pauline, faded into obscurity once Peach showed up. You can get a hold of the NES version for around $10 on Amazon.

Super Mario Bros:

Have you saved the Princess in the first one? If you haven't, it doesn't count in all later titles.

I realize that I’m skipping two noteworthy entries in Mario’s legacy in Donkey Kong Jr and Mario Bros, but I don’t have much to say about those. I was all about Super Mario Bros on the NES. Everything changed with the simple concept of “WTF” that pervaded all of Super Mario Bros. The premise became ridiculous with Mario, a plumber, attempting to save a princess of a mushroom people from a fire-breathing dinosaur and his army of turtles and acorn people. It took me until high school to actually save the princess, but I was still fairly good as a 3-year-old anyway. I could make impossible jumps and run through levels incredibly fast, and even stranger, I preferred to play as Luigi whenever possible. Currently, my fastest playthrough stands around 8:30. Nothing too impressive, but not too shabby, either. If you want to try beating that score, either download SMB from the Virtual Console or grab a copy from Amazon for cheap, though if you want it new it’ll run you around $300.

Super Mario Bros 2:

You've all heard enough about Doki Doki Panic, so I'll just skip that explanation.

There are two versions of this game. There is the original Japanese version, which we wouldn’t get until Super Mario All-Stars as The Lost Levels, and the US version, which most off us just believe is the black sheep in the Mario franchise for being so strange in comparison to the first. I played the US version, naturally, and was terrible. I don’t think I ever got past the second world no matter how hard I tried, but I still loved the game for some reason. An interesting note to consider here, this is the first game where Mario’s current look is created, by which I mean red shirt, blue overalls. In the first game he’s wearing a blue shirt and red overalls, but here is where his look permanently changes. I’ve beaten it now thanks to Super Mario All-Stars, as well as The Lost Levels, but as a kid, no way, not happening. Once again, the Virtual Console is a simple choice, but an actual copy on Amazon isn’t too steep either, though the new copies will climb to $400.

Super Mario Bros 3:

I don't care, you're not convincing me anything other than this is the greatest game on the NES ever.

You’re already read my article on SMB3 and why I love it so dearly. It made me a friend, gave me needed skills as a gamer, and provided me with endless enjoyment. It’s simply my favorite of the 2D Mario platformers. Check the VC or Amazon for a used copy under $10.

Super Mario Land:

It's like if Mario had a bad hangover and woke up in a completely different world with no clue how he got there.

I made a point to get Super Mario Land for my Game Boy as soon as possible since I needed a Mario game on my handheld. And it was incredibly difficult to say the least. It was also really strange, even for a Mario game, since you had a Super Ball instead of fireballs, the Big Bad was an alien rather than Bowser, the Koopas had exploding shells, and the princess was Daisy, not Toadstool. Still, I persevered and loved every second of the grueling challenge. And then I played it through again on the tougher difficulty and had no problem. Strange how that happens. This is another easy find on Amazon for under $10.

Super Mario Land 2:

I will admit, the final battle was rather epic, though the final level was just a nightmare.

A little later in my years I picked up SML2 and whipped it into shape without much trouble. I found it a lot easier than SML but still something was off for me. It wasn’t Wario as a villain (his first appearance of course), or giving Mario bunny ears as a power-up. No, it was the way the size of Mario made the game more difficult than it needed to be. Mario’s game sprite became larger and therefore more difficult to control since the screen felt a lot smaller. Suddenly I couldn’t see what was right below me if I fell, and that added a whole new challenge to the game I didn’t particularly enjoy. Plus, there were ants with cannons on their heads, so how fair was that? To see what I’m talking about, pick up a used copy, though I don’t know why you’d want a new one for $200.

Super Mario World:

Admit it, this describes you, doesn't it?

A worthy contender for the Best Mario crown, SMW was a game I wanted immediately after buying my SNES from my cousin. But if you remember that story correctly, he had sold all his good games, SMW included. I ended up buying a copy from a friend in my 3rd grade class, though the game’s internal battery was already running out, so even to this very day there’s a high chance my game will get erased if I play a game of SMW, pull the cartridge out, then put it in to play again. Still, when I play it I have no problem getting the elusive 96 * after trouncing the Special World like it was nothing. That is a serious challenge every gamer should have to complete before getting their gamer card, and both me and my wife own that achievement, so the challenge has been set. You’ll need to download it from the VC or purchase a used copy from Amazon for under $10. And yes, Amazon is just that good that I’m recommending it so much.

New Super Mario Bros:

Just look at the destructive power of the Giant Mushroom.

It took over 10 years before Mario fans got the true next 2D Mario platformer, this time on the DS. I was so thankful that there were no touch screen gimmicks implemented, just classic Mario platforming. Boy what a game this was. I was thoroughly satisfied with every playthrough, feeling as though this was the culmination of all Nintendo’s knowledge from creating Mario games for so long. I enjoyed the fun of the Mini Mushroom, the crazy power of the Giant Mushroom, and the worthlessness of the Blue Shell. Seriously, the Blue Shell caused me to die more times than it proved useful. I wonder if we’ll ever get a power-up as great as the Tanooki Suit again? Oh well, at least it’s only around $30 these days.

That concludes my time with Mario 2D platformers. Where’s New Super Mario Bros Wii? I’ve covered that quite enough, as you know. And what about Yoshi’s Island? Well, despite my wife’s complaints, I don’t consider that a Mario game due to it featuring Yoshi more than Mario and also because I’m a snob. Come back next week and I’ll cover the 3D platformers in all their glory as I psych myself up for Super Mario Galaxy 2. In the meantime, what are some of your Mario memories? I’d like to hear them, so leave a comment and let’s get this Mario Party started.

Want more Mario? Check these articles out:

-Mario: A Retrospective Part 2

-Top 20 Greatest Mario Enemies Ever

-Let’s Think Deep: The Virtual Utopia

Well, it’s that time of the year again. Families are getting together and spending time with one another, showing how much they care for each other. And of course, there is Christmas shopping. Yes, it’s that time of year when stores are packed, traffic goes on for miles, and you just can’t figure out what to get for everybody on your list. Whether it’s finding the best Christmas gifts for boyfriend, or finding the coolest toy for your nephew, finding the right gift can be a challenging task.

To the rescue: Here is a list of 10 of the most popular toys for the 2009 holiday season. Christmas is less than two weeks away, so if there are still some empty spaces under the tree that you’d like to fill, the following suggestions are for you.

Zhu Zhu Pets

If you stand in line at any toy store nowadays, you’ll probably notice that a lot of customers have Zhu Zhu Pets in their hands. In all honesty, it would be hard to believe that these toys somehow slipped under your radar because they’re everywhere. The electronic hamsters behave as their real-life counterparts would, giving children the satisfaction of having a pet without really having a pet. Habitats also allow for players to create unique environments for their electronic pets and are sure to provide loads of fun for everyone involved.

Dora the Explorer Links Doll

Dora the Explorer is another one of the more popular children’s shows and for that, the Links Doll will make any fan smile on Christmas morning. Girls can connect the doll to the computer with the included USB cable and access Dora’s online world. There, players can help Dora and her friends solve mysteries. The doll is customizable and depending on the player’s actions, the doll will change jewelry, eye color, and even speech patterns.

Video Game Console, Any Video Game Console

The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii are all great systems with dozens of games for everybody to enjoy. The only problem is deciding which one to get. There are advantages and disadvantages to all three, but if you’re looking for a family experience that will be easy for everyone to pick up and play, the Wii would be the way to go. Don’t rule out the other two though, as they can provide equal or potentially greater entertainment; the controls can just be harder to master for some people. No matter what way you look at it, any one of these three consoles is great for an individual or a family.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

If a Nintendo Wii already graces your household or it was chosen from the three aforementioned contenders, then this game is a must-have to accompany it. The hardest thing a game can do is interest both old and new gamers, but New Super Mario Bros. Wii succeeds. Everything that was great about classic Mario games is here, making older gamers feel right at home. At the same time, it is accessible to those new to the Mario series and still provides a decent challenge. Best of all, there is a 4-player cooperative mode that allows everyone to join in the festivities.

Ucreate Games and Artimation

At the risk of children not liking a specific game, Ucreate Games and Artimation allows them to create their own. Using the included tablet and software, children can build their own unique gaming experience and make them come to life on their computer screens. With an easy-to-use interface, children are free to let their imaginations run wild and have fun exactly the way that they want to. All that is required is a computer and a little bit of creativity.

Mindflex

Anyone who has ever dreamed of having mind-control powers will instantly be drawn to Mindflex. Using several sensors, it is able to measure the user’s brainwaves in order to levitate a foam ball several inches in the air. Players then must control their concentration to raise and lower the ball, eventually guiding it through an obstacle course. There is a limitless supply of courses, as they are designed by the player, using the various pieces provided. While it’s not quite telekinesis and it will be difficult for many to master, it is truly a step toward the future of entertainment.

A Music Video Game

Whether it is Rock Band or Guitar Hero, it’s hard to go wrong with a music-based video game these days. With players finally given the opportunity to unleash their inner-rock star, it’s easy to see the appeal. Again, these games are perfect for individuals or families, as the majority of them allow up to four people to play simultaneously to create a virtual band. With hundreds upon hundreds of songs to choose from, it’s easy to find something that everyone will enjoy. And with even more games and song packs in constant development, there is definitely no shortage of entertainment.

Board Game Revival

While they may seem primitive compared to the other suggestions, it will be a long time before board games lose their appeal. They are great for both family game nights and social events. And if a game is fun enough, it can last years. There are literally hundreds of games to choose from in various stores, with Scene-It being one of the most popular. Fans of series like Twilight or Harry Potter will love the various editions of the game that focus on their favorite saga. The beauty of games such as Scene-It is that there is always something out there for everyone.

Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid

Bakugan is a strategy game based on the animated series “Bakugan: Battle Warriors.” The game involves battles among action figures based on the series, and the 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid is perfect for any fan. The large Maxus Dragonoid is made up of seven pieces: one Bukagan warrior and six traps to assist in the conquest of other Bakugan warriors. With a game that is both fun and requires a good amount of strategy, no Bakugan warrior in training should be without this action figure.

Transformers 2 Action Figure

The Transformers were successful in the late ’80s, but who would have guessed that their popularity would explode again in the past couple years? With Michael Bay’s two recent movies, the franchise has reached a new generation and the coinciding action figures will make a great gift for any Transformers fan. With popular characters such as Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Bumblebee to choose from, there is no way to go wrong. Complete with jaw-dropping transformations, light-up eyes, and electronic speech, it truly is like having your very own Transformer.

You see this? This is called a Grand Slam.

Oh joy! Not since my time as a wee child have I been so purely excited about a video game. Something about Mario always brings out the best in me. Given enough of Mario’s influence I might even go ahead and become a being of unadulterated elation, floating through the physical world as a glowing light that stops off every so often and anchors itself to New Super Mario Bros Wii.

So uh, I really like New Super Mario Bros Wii.

Now that the holidays are sneaking up on us, Nintendo has decided that we haven’t given them enough money. I say to them, “You fools, I’m not handing you any more money.” Their only response is, “Oh, okay, we’ll just take our new Mario game and be on our way.” So I have to rush over and stop them before they get away without my money. “Have double,” I say. And they say, “Nay, we only need $49.99. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

Same Game, Different Day

I mentioned New Super Mario Bros Wii a while ago with a preview article. Now that it’s out I can safely talk about every facet of the fantastic game. Xbox 360 and PS3 owners have their Modern Warfare 2, but Wii owners have this one and no reason to be jealous as a result. Everything about the new Mario Bros game harkens back to the good old days of platforming where there was no need for a story and no need for overly complex gameplay. There was just you, the controller, and tricky jumps to get frustrated at and cause you to throw the controller.

The classic power-ups are back with two new additions in the Propeller Mushroom (fun for high-jumps), and the Penguin Suit (slide on your belly, freeze enemies, and look adorable). I’m most happy to see the return of Yoshi in a Mario game since his last appearance was in Super Mario Sunshine and while I enjoyed Sunshine, it wasn’t Yoshi’s best moment.

Still The Best

Tilting your controller will change the angle the light shines at. Hooray for simple motion controls!

Level design is once again at its best with this one. There is a very good mix of simple levels and aggravatingly difficult levels but everything is paced in such a way that you won’t feel too pressured to just turn the game off after a tough level. Beyond just this, I want to talk about a new feature that may just change the landscape of video games. Let’s talk about the Super Guide.

Assume you’re having a particularly difficult time with a level and somehow die eight times in row. At this point the next time you start a level you’ll have the option of hitting a green block to let Luigi come in and play the level for you. Yes, that’s right, the game plays itself when it gets too tough for you. The computer-controlled Luigi doesn’t go out of his way to grab power-ups or coins or any bonuses for you but he does complete the level. You can even take over at any point if you think you’ve got the hang of things. The idea of having a game alleviate the difficulty so that you don’t just give up and move on to something different is beautiful in concept since it entirely gives you the choice. You don’t have to use the Super Guide, but the option is there.

Co-op Mario

Look how cute they are!

Multiplayer in Mario has always been limited to one player at a time. In New Super Mario Bros Wii up to four people can play at once. At once! And you don’t have to play nice, either. You can help each other out by grabbing another player and managing the jumping while they shoot fireballs or something. Or you can just toss them into lava and start laughing. You’ll have fun with this game no matter how many people you’re playing with.

I can’t give enough reasons to pick this one up. New Super Mario Bros Wii is perfection as a Mario game and a platformer. This is yet another excuse to purchase a Wii. If you already own a Wii, this is the game you should be buying next. I’ll run down a list of reasons to own it: Yoshi, Penguins, Koopalings, Super Guide, Four-Player Simultaneous Play, Fun, Entertaining, Amazing, Merry Christmas. That’s it, review over. Go get it.

Mario Kart DS:

The first game I bought for my DS.

It took a powerful title to get me off my tail to pick up a game built specifically for the system, but Mario Kart DS caused brain pieces to spray from my ears and my eyes to splurt all over the screen. In other words, my mind was blown. Maybe…maybe less visual to just say it blew my mind. No matter.

Mario Kart has always been a great series, but the DS version added wireless multiplayer against anyone in the world. I made the mistake of playing only at night, so the typical opponents were Japanese gamers that chewed me up and spit me out due to their masterful snaking techniques (dang you snaking!), but just being able to play multiplayer Mario Kart was amazing.

Still, as a single player game there was tons to do and plenty of excellent tracks to play on. I’d go so far as to say this is the best Mario Kart game of the series. Every character gets a few special carts of their own and they really do look cool and play differently. I had already justified my DS ownership, but I had hardly begun.

Animal Crossing DS:

You'll be surprised with how much there is to do.

It might be a strange concept to grasp, but Animal Crossing is a game that is impossible to finish in a day. It’s also impossible to finish in a month. There is a very strong chance that you won’t be finished with the game after a year or two. Reason being is that the premise of the game revolves around your character moving to a small town and having to repay your debt to the raccoon that lent you your home. Sound weird? There’s some more.

To repay said raccoon, you must do tasks for the other villagers who are of course all animals. As you play, you will have a rhino ask you to retrieve a couch from a sheep, a cat will ask you for a new catchphrase, and a mouse will send you a letter or two, just to get you to send one back. You’ll also fish, hunt for bugs, dig fossils, and decorate your house as you go. It sounds insane, and it is, but as a whole the game turns out to be rather pleasing and extremely addicting. All of this takes place in current time, so if it’s 8 o’ clock in the real world, it’ll be 8 o’ clock in the game, too. Same goes for major holidays. Once a year and that’s it.

The best thing about the game is that the time you put into the game really shows. You’ll have characters that remember you and wonder where you’ve been, you’ll make designs for shirts that the animals are wearing, and you’ll decorate the town as you see fit, more or less. It is a great game for those of us addicted to something like, oh, Farmville? Yeah, you’d go nuts for Animal Crossing.

Elite Beat Agents:

Dancing solves everything.

You will not understand Elite Beat Agents if you try. I do not understand Elite Beat Agents, yet I fully recommend the game to every owner of a DS. The Elite Beat Agents are a group of government-style officials that get dispatched every time a problem occurs. They are the very best at what they do and they always solve every problem, be it related to babysitting or alien invasion, all with the power of dance.

Yes, dancing. They do the dancing. And it solves EVERYTHING.

The game revolves around tapping the touch screen in rhythm and it can get extremely difficult. However, it also becomes extremely addicting, and when you’re doing things right it just feels great. Elite Beat Agents is a game that didn’t get the proper response when it first came out, but you can change that by purchasing it for yourself and everyone you know. If everyone pitches in, I may just get my Elite Beat sequel.

Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum:

Don't miss out just because they seem geeky.

It doesn’t matter which version you get, it is just highly recommended that you get at least one Pokemon game for your DS. At this stage in history there is virtually no need to elaborate on what Pokemon is, but I will go ahead and say that it will provide over a hundred hours of gameplay should you choose to enjoy it.

The current generation of Pokemon games demonstrates a great time to be into Pokemon as there is just so much to do and so many choices for a Pokemon team. Each gamer will find at least one Pokemon that they favor over all others either for reasons relating to battle stats, functionality, or just personal preference, (though Jolteon is the best, yo). Pokemon will survive the Apocalypse, so you might as well pay your dues while you can.

New Super Mario Bros:

Oh Mario, how I love thee.

You cannot own a DS without owning New Super Mario Bros. I simply will not allow it. It’s okay if you brush off my other suggestions like I’m a raving lunatic (because you may be onto something), but I will turn around and point back to claim that in fact you are the lunatic should you abandon New Super Mario Bros as a game you need not own.

Mario games are always good. I’ve been over this so many times that it’s getting redundant to hear (I’d know, I hear it all the time from myself). But I can’t stress it enough when there are still people in the world that don’t play Mario games. All problems are cured with enough Mario, I firmly believe this. Every world leader just needs to get a DS and play New Super Mario Bros and all problems will be solved within a year’s time.

If you haven’t played the DS Mario game, you still already know the plot. Princess kidnapped, Mario goes to saves her, turtles and mushrooms abound. A few new power-ups appear, but the real star is the level design, which returns to enlighten everyone how platforming games are supposed to be made. You’ll enjoy this game, even if you hate everything else in the world.

Basically, there is at least one game on this list that you do not own but will fully thank me once you play. All of these games can be found just about anywhere video games are sold, and all for affordable prices.

Just like that dream I once had.

With Nintendo trucking along on its two new consoles (the Wii and the DSi), there are rarely any times that a new Triple A title needs to come along (according to them anyway). The Wii already got its Zelda, its Mario, and its Smash Bros, so what are the chances we’ll get another huge title in any of those franchises?

Surprisingly very high as this year’s E3 had Nintendo announcing both a new Zelda title (it was hushed but it was there), and two separate Mario games. One was New Super Mario Bros Wii, which got some people excited, but the other pushed Mario fans to the point of jazz hands: Super Mario Galaxy 2.

So What do We Know?

As of now we don’t know entirely that much about the game. We know it has an expected release date of 2010. We also know that they aren’t changing the basic format from the previous game. If you enjoyed Super Mario Galaxy, you’re going to enjoy the sequel just as much.

Oh yeah, THIS is what was missing from the first game.

In fact (and this may be sad to some), there isn’t even a new story to deal with. Shigeru Miyamoto has stated for the record that he doesn’t want the new title to focus on story almost at all. Despite the first Galaxy having a great story, there isn’t going to be one for the new iteration. Oh well, more time for platforming.

And the platforming is what stays the same, though there is more to do than in the first game. Screenshots have shown us that Yoshi is in the game and can be ridden, a staple from Mario games that doesn’t show up as much as it honestly should. New power-ups have been hinted at and new galaxies to find new stars in, though you will be returning to some previous locales from the first game to find new stars as well.

In basic terms, you won’t just get a rehash, but you won’t be getting a title that breaks new ground. Nintendo is just building upon the solid foundation from the first game.

Okay, that's just nuts.

Since the game is still in development there isn’t a whole lot we know just yet, though we know for sure it is on its way and that’s better than not knowing anything. As said before, the game is slated for 2010, but like most games there’s a super high chance that’ll be pushed back for one reason or another.

All I can say is that you should definitely reserve a copy when you get the chance.