Remember when...

Some of you reading this weren't even alive when this game first came into our lives. This game is the game that put console gaming on the map. As one of the single most recognizable video game characters of all time, Mario goes old school to show us how the revolution started. You are Mario and a second player is Luigi. Brother plumbers. You are sucked into a world of mushrooms, hammer-weilding turtles and fire- breating dragons. You are in this world to do one of the biggest cliches of all time; save the princess. Eight levels are divided up into four stages each, with a castle to side-scroll through on the fourth of each stage. What is funny about this game is after almost 20 years (released in October of 1985) this game still remains relevant in a world of fully 3D enviorments, expansive worlds and and games where you can make out the paint rubbing off on a crowbar. This game requires timing, patience and the final confrontation between Mario and King Koopa is still one of the most frustrating battles of all time as he hurls hammers as well as spews fireballs that sometimes only appear at the last possible moment. As great as this game still is, some people, especially younger ones might not "get" Mario. Compared to today's games, the game isn't as visually stunning and the AI consists mostly of your adversaries walking back and forth, and most of the times right over a ledge. But still, this game is still a good get for any gamer old enough to remember Menudo and Run DMC. Hooked up to the GBA Player is even better. There is something perversly nostalgic about playing the NES Mario with a Gamecube controller. But if you don't want/need the player, this game is still a good get.