NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII
Grade: A
Developed by: Nintendo
Published by: Nintendo
Rating: E
Available now for the Wii

New Super Mario Bros. Wii may be a 2009 release, but it plays like a game that could've come out 20 years ago - and that's not a knock against it. It's a throwback to simpler times that doesn't sacrifice quality for nostalgia, and it once again reminds you why Nintendo is still the best when it comes to making games the whole family can enjoy.

The game adheres to the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' adage by changing nearly nothing from Nintendo's 2D heyday. There are a few new power-ups and some motion controls that require you to shake the Wii remote, but the basic mechanics play almost the same as they did back on the NES. It's a testament to the quality of the original games; it never feels dated or overly simplistic, and it's just as fun and addictive as it was back then.

It's also just as challenging. Anyone worried that it will be an easier and more casual experience can breathe a sigh of relief as there are some incredibly hard levels that will have you looking at a few Game Over screens.

To help you get through some of the tougher moments, Nintendo has added a simultaneous co-operative multiplayer function, making this the first Mario game that has ever allowed you to have up to three other players play at the same time. The multiplayer aspect hinders as much as it helps, making the already-difficult levels even more chaotic as everyone jumps on each other and races to steal the good power-ups. This may sound like a bad thing but it's not; all of the best classic multiplayer games have created friction between so-called teammates. You're not playing a good multiplayer game if a fight doesn't break out over who deserves the power-up to shoot fireballs.

The lack of any option to play online seems like the only real missed opportunity for the game. Nintendo has had online multiplayer for Wii games such as Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. in the past, so it's a little strange not to see it included here, even if the game itself is trying to feel intentionally old-fashioned.

As games continue to get more elaborate and complex with each passing year, it's nice to have a game like this come along to remind us that well-designed simplicity can be just as good as the bloated spectacles we've become accustomed to. New Super Mario Bros. Wii may have an incredibly dull and cumbersome title, but the game itself is anything but.

Bits & Bytes

. Microsoft has entered the digital-download market on the PC with Games on Demand, an online store that will allow instant purchase and download of their Games for Windows lineup. Games available as of right now include Resident Evil 5, Fallout 3, Street Fighter IV and Red Faction: Guerilla.

. Batman: Arkham Asylum was just released in September, but its reception has been so wildly positive that it was only a matter of time before a sequel was announced. A teaser trailer for the tentatively titled Arkham Asylum 2 has been released and, while it doesn't give much information, it does hint at the action now spilling out into the streets of Gotham City and the return of The Joker, as well as possible appearances by villains such as Two Face and The Penguin.

Upcoming Releases
Dec. 26 - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers (Wii).

Mel Stefaniuk is a writer who can tell the difference between Mario and Sonic.