Covers multiple factions of the video game world including previews, questionaires, reminiscing, screen captures and more.
Mario Paint - released in 1992 Not technically a game, but Mario Paint offered hours of enjoyment and entertainment back in the early 90’s (for me, anyway.) Sold with a mousepad and mouse, the “game” offered drawing, painting, stamping and even a music composer (I spent hours alone on that.) Mario Paint even came with an entertaining fly swatting game with multiple levels that worked really well with the mouse. But why haven’t we received a Mario Paint sequel after all these years? It would be perfectly suited for the Nintendo DS.

Mario Paint - released in 1992

Not technically a game, but Mario Paint offered hours of enjoyment and entertainment back in the early 90’s (for me, anyway.) Sold with a mousepad and mouse, the “game” offered drawing, painting, stamping and even a music composer (I spent hours alone on that.) Mario Paint even came with an entertaining fly swatting game with multiple levels that worked really well with the mouse. But why haven’t we received a Mario Paint sequel after all these years? It would be perfectly suited for the Nintendo DS.

Paper Mario - released in 2001 I know, I know, who hasn’t played Paper Mario? Starting now I’m going to post games whether they are popular or obscure. If you haven’t played Paper Mario, then you must have been living under a rock. Though not technically a sequel to Squaresoft’s Super Mario RPG on the Super Nintendo, it does involve Mario in an epic role-playing adventure to thwart Bowser’s evil plans. Turn based battles along with quirky partners make this a memorable video game, spawning two sequels and a fourth to come. If you no longer own a Nintendo 64, Paper Mario is also available for download on the Wii’s Virtual Console.

Paper Mario - released in 2001

I know, I know, who hasn’t played Paper Mario? Starting now I’m going to post games whether they are popular or obscure. If you haven’t played Paper Mario, then you must have been living under a rock. Though not technically a sequel to Squaresoft’s Super Mario RPG on the Super Nintendo, it does involve Mario in an epic role-playing adventure to thwart Bowser’s evil plans. Turn based battles along with quirky partners make this a memorable video game, spawning two sequels and a fourth to come. If you no longer own a Nintendo 64, Paper Mario is also available for download on the Wii’s Virtual Console.

Super Mario Bros. 2 - released in 1988 Known in Japan as a completely different game, Nintendo of America changed Doki Doki Panic into a Mario game, marking it Mario’s second adventure in America. Though many hail Super Mario Bros. 3 as the best Mario game in this era, Super Mario Bros. 2 will still be my favorite. For one, you have the option of playing as four different characters, each with their own special ability. Mario is well-rounded, gifted in running and jumping, Luigi can jump the highest, Toad is the fastest, but cannot jump very high. And of course, Peach can float. Secondly, it marked the first appearance for many Mario enemies, like Shy Guys, Snifits, as well as Birdo. The game offers moderate difficulty, but some claim it doesn’t feel like a Mario game. What do you think?

Super Mario Bros. 2 - released in 1988

Known in Japan as a completely different game, Nintendo of America changed Doki Doki Panic into a Mario game, marking it Mario’s second adventure in America. Though many hail Super Mario Bros. 3 as the best Mario game in this era, Super Mario Bros. 2 will still be my favorite. For one, you have the option of playing as four different characters, each with their own special ability. Mario is well-rounded, gifted in running and jumping, Luigi can jump the highest, Toad is the fastest, but cannot jump very high. And of course, Peach can float. Secondly, it marked the first appearance for many Mario enemies, like Shy Guys, Snifits, as well as Birdo. The game offers moderate difficulty, but some claim it doesn’t feel like a Mario game. What do you think?

Super Mario 64 - released in 1997 Hailed as one of the greatest video games of all time, Super Mario 64 was the famed plumber’s first outing in a 3D environment and the Nintendo 64’s debut title. Bowser is at it again and kidnaps Princess Peach, and also stole the castle stars for good measure. It is up to you to restore power to the castle by collecting all 120 stars which are hidden in the many paintings within the castle. Mario is able to jump through a painting to access that “world”, which was and still is a neat idea. Super Mario 64 paved the way for games like Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, and will continue to use themes and elements from Mario’s 64 outing to continue moving the plumber in the right direction.

Super Mario 64 - released in 1997

Hailed as one of the greatest video games of all time, Super Mario 64 was the famed plumber’s first outing in a 3D environment and the Nintendo 64’s debut title. Bowser is at it again and kidnaps Princess Peach, and also stole the castle stars for good measure. It is up to you to restore power to the castle by collecting all 120 stars which are hidden in the many paintings within the castle. Mario is able to jump through a painting to access that “world”, which was and still is a neat idea. Super Mario 64 paved the way for games like Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, and will continue to use themes and elements from Mario’s 64 outing to continue moving the plumber in the right direction.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars  - released in 1996 Before Paper Mario, the iconic plumber’s first RPG adventure was on the Super Nintendo, and it was developed by Squaresoft. Mario is quite the dynamic man, and proving that he can tackle even turn-based RPG’s solidifies that he is a jack of all trades. In Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario is on a quest to repair Star Road, and he even teams up with his arch-nemesis, Bowser when his castle is taken over by the Smithy gang. Super Mario RPG is a humorous, addicting and timeless RPG, and the moment it was released was destined to be a classic. If you no longer own a Super Nintendo, you may download it via the Wii Virtual Console.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars  - released in 1996

Before Paper Mario, the iconic plumber’s first RPG adventure was on the Super Nintendo, and it was developed by Squaresoft. Mario is quite the dynamic man, and proving that he can tackle even turn-based RPG’s solidifies that he is a jack of all trades. In Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario is on a quest to repair Star Road, and he even teams up with his arch-nemesis, Bowser when his castle is taken over by the Smithy gang. Super Mario RPG is a humorous, addicting and timeless RPG, and the moment it was released was destined to be a classic. If you no longer own a Super Nintendo, you may download it via the Wii Virtual Console.

Mario Party - released in 1999 Looking back at the original Mario Party, we’ve certainly come a long way. Mario has done everything else, he might as well be incorporated into a board game! Mario Party is simple: gather three friends and play a pre-determined amount of turns on a board map to see who can collect the most amount of stars before the game is over. After each turn, you and your friends compete in a free-for-all (and sometimes two versus two or three versus one) mini-game in order to collect coins (which will aid you in purchasing stars.) Mario Party has come to a halt at number 8, and now Nintendo has released a title called Wii Party, which is like Mario’s previous outing, however contains Mii characters instead of Mario characters.

Mario Party - released in 1999

Looking back at the original Mario Party, we’ve certainly come a long way. Mario has done everything else, he might as well be incorporated into a board game! Mario Party is simple: gather three friends and play a pre-determined amount of turns on a board map to see who can collect the most amount of stars before the game is over. After each turn, you and your friends compete in a free-for-all (and sometimes two versus two or three versus one) mini-game in order to collect coins (which will aid you in purchasing stars.) Mario Party has come to a halt at number 8, and now Nintendo has released a title called Wii Party, which is like Mario’s previous outing, however contains Mii characters instead of Mario characters.

Super Mario Bros. 3 - released in 1990 Hailed as one of the best Mario games of all time, and for good reason, too. Mario’s third adventure pitted him in many worlds, and featured a clever item system that aided the plumber along the way. Frog suits and raccoon suits were just the beginning of Mario’s fashion collection, and each item in the game served a valuable purpose. A warp whistle allowed Mario to skip levels, the music box put hammer bros. to sleep and a giant boot allowed Mario to bounce through levels with ease. Sure, the story isn’t much different, Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach again, but seriously, does that ever get old? Truthfully, it’s the game play that matters, and Mario does not disappoint.

Super Mario Bros. 3 - released in 1990

Hailed as one of the best Mario games of all time, and for good reason, too. Mario’s third adventure pitted him in many worlds, and featured a clever item system that aided the plumber along the way. Frog suits and raccoon suits were just the beginning of Mario’s fashion collection, and each item in the game served a valuable purpose. A warp whistle allowed Mario to skip levels, the music box put hammer bros. to sleep and a giant boot allowed Mario to bounce through levels with ease. Sure, the story isn’t much different, Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach again, but seriously, does that ever get old? Truthfully, it’s the game play that matters, and Mario does not disappoint.

Super Smash Bros. - released in 1999 Probably one of the most successful franchises that has ever existed, Super Smash Bros. was, in a way, Nintendo’s version of the Marvel Vs. Capcom series in that it’s a clash of characters from different worlds (however the style of fighting is quite different.) Players were able to pit Mario against Link, or Donkey Kong against Pikachu. Super Smash Bros. came out of the left field, gamers were stoked (and for good reason!) Super Smash Bros. is also available on the Wii Virtual Console, and it was met with two sequels which improved on the formula, Super Smash Bros. Melee on the GameCube and Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii.

Super Smash Bros. - released in 1999

Probably one of the most successful franchises that has ever existed, Super Smash Bros. was, in a way, Nintendo’s version of the Marvel Vs. Capcom series in that it’s a clash of characters from different worlds (however the style of fighting is quite different.) Players were able to pit Mario against Link, or Donkey Kong against Pikachu. Super Smash Bros. came out of the left field, gamers were stoked (and for good reason!) Super Smash Bros. is also available on the Wii Virtual Console, and it was met with two sequels which improved on the formula, Super Smash Bros. Melee on the GameCube and Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii.

Super Mario Kart  - released in 1992 Back in the day when players could drive without the fear of blue shells, there was Super Mario Kart, Mario’s first kart-racing outing. Players were given the options of racing as their favorite Nintendo characters, including the obscure Donkey Kong Jr. and Koopa Troopa. Many of the tracks have made their way into sequels as a throwback, and the tradition has yet to be seen in the upcoming Mario Kart 3DS. Many aspects of the series have been left unchanged, but rather updated graphically and physically (though the feather item has been missing ever since.) The series has come a long way, and will continue to dominate in years to come.

Super Mario Kart  - released in 1992

Back in the day when players could drive without the fear of blue shells, there was Super Mario Kart, Mario’s first kart-racing outing. Players were given the options of racing as their favorite Nintendo characters, including the obscure Donkey Kong Jr. and Koopa Troopa. Many of the tracks have made their way into sequels as a throwback, and the tradition has yet to be seen in the upcoming Mario Kart 3DS. Many aspects of the series have been left unchanged, but rather updated graphically and physically (though the feather item has been missing ever since.) The series has come a long way, and will continue to dominate in years to come.

Super Mario Sunshine - released in 2002 A direct sequel to Super Mario 64, many fans could argue whether or not it was a true sequel, though I must vouch that it does live up to Mario’s standards for a stellar platformer game. Set in the beautiful Isle Delfino, Mario desperately seeks a getaway vacation with Princess Peach, but there is no rest for the wicked. Bowser is at it again, however sends his son out to frame Mario for a crime he did not commit, and sprays graffiti all over the island. Mario is blamed for the vandalism, and must clean up the island as punishment. As the only Mario adventure game on the GameCube, it excels in the graphics, soundtrack and game play department, proving to be an exceptional addition to Mario’s adventures.

Super Mario Sunshine - released in 2002

A direct sequel to Super Mario 64, many fans could argue whether or not it was a true sequel, though I must vouch that it does live up to Mario’s standards for a stellar platformer game. Set in the beautiful Isle Delfino, Mario desperately seeks a getaway vacation with Princess Peach, but there is no rest for the wicked. Bowser is at it again, however sends his son out to frame Mario for a crime he did not commit, and sprays graffiti all over the island. Mario is blamed for the vandalism, and must clean up the island as punishment. As the only Mario adventure game on the GameCube, it excels in the graphics, soundtrack and game play department, proving to be an exceptional addition to Mario’s adventures.