New Super Mario Bros.

It's been some 15 years since we've had a real 2D Mario sidescroller (Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island doesn't count), and the absence has made the heart grow fonder. People have yearned for another of Shigeru Miyamoto's masterpieces for years now, and Nintendo has finally delivered. The New Super Mario Bros. is a masterpiece on so many levels that's it's hard to count.

For one, the game just has that Mario look all about it. The game heavily resembles the first Super Mario Bros. game (which was the intent), but also has a look all it's own. The 3D graphics used to bring the world to life are stunning as far as DS titles go. Mario is slickly animated, the baddies are clean and sharp, and everything has this level of polish that makes the game a treat to watch. The colors are also bright and cheerful without being overwhelming -  a major plus.

Control is another point where the game shines. Mario has never been easier to man-handle then he is here. He leaps and bounds precisely to your command. He's also retained a few of his 3D game moves, like the wall jump and a butt-stomp attack. All of this is controlled by a retro-styled 2-button control configuration. One for running and shooting fireballs and the other for jumping. In that way, it's perfect for anyone to get in to. I know many casual gamers who've shied away from Mario's more recent adventures because of the more complicated control, so this is perfect for them.

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