...He's been reincarnated in various forms and formats but this time the Mario that we all know and love has been resurrected in true classic, plaforming action in the latest DS game, New Super Mario Bros.

New Super Mario bros. returns to Mario's roots. We haven't seen a Mario game like this in over 15 years, and even longer if you consider that the n64 version was rendered in 3D. This version is a 2D side-scroller but it does incorporate some excellent 3D graphics. Mario is rendered in 3D as are many of the enemies and environments, although you can't explore them like you could in the n64 version.

Right from the first few seconds of play you can tell that you're in for a good time. The game just reeks of quality. It looks great, sounds like nostalgia, responds brilliantly and is great fun - and that's just the first minute of game play. You can tell that Nintendo has done their homework on this game. It retains the look and feel of the side-scrolling Super Mario bros. series but manages to update and upgrade it with new moves, enemies, booby traps, puzzles, bonuses and secrets so that you will always be mindful that you are playing a new game and not some reheated rehash. There are plenty of nods to its heritage, including goombas, Koopas, question mark blocks and flagpole jumping at the end of levels but these are classic elements that I believe must be included to give us a sense of familiarity. Maybe this wouldn't have worked five or ten years ago, but enough time has passed so that we don't perceive these elements as hackneyed.

With today's games we tend to take the storylines too seriously, when in reality the story can't fix a terrible game. The Super Mario Bros. storyline is about as basic as they come, and we don't really expect it to be any different. Come to think of it, it doesn't need to be any different. It's all laid out for us. Are mission is to rescue to princess from the clutches of bowser, in this case, bowser Jr. He's kidnapped her and taken her ...more

Italy Placed in "Group of Deaths" at Euro 2008 Seedings

...ns qualified only by a goal difference.

For the Euro 1996, Germany, Czech Republic and Russia were part of the group selection the Italians had to play, they were knocked out due to a head-to-head match against the Czechs.

And more recently, the scenario for the Euro 2008 points to a group in which the Azzurri could play Spain, Holland and France or perhaps even a set of un fancied teams including Poland, Romania, Sweden and Austria.

Regarding the well-known "Oranje" this team was knocked out of the last World Cup in the second round, and...more

Pac-Man Game

...Pac-Man is one of the most recognizable video games in history, even at today's levels. Pac-Man is a Japanese creation, created by Namco, and in 1982 it was released in the united states. Pac-Man was huge success and become a major icon of popular gaming culture. Pac-man managed to inspire a cereal, an animated television series and a top 40 pop single.

The look of Pac-Man was inspired by a pizza with a slice missing. Namco designer Tohru Iwatani had pizza for lunch and the rest is history.

Pac-Man became one of the best-selling coin-operated games in history. Over 350,000 Pac-Man machines were made and sold around the world.

The original...more

Sonic Versus Mario

...Even though Mario is ten years older, a very good case can be made for Sonic, when it comes to the title of "Most Popular Video Game Character" of ALL TIME!! Let look at the "Tale of the Tape":

Sonic from Sega, is a blue anthropomorphic (changes shape) hedgehog with the ability to run faster than the speed of sound; his talent for speed forms a large part of the game play of the series. He is 15 years old. Sonic has been described as being "like the wind." He is noted for being heroic, adventurous, and free-spirited. He enjoys relaxation, but is never one to rest in the face of injustice. He is extremely benevolent, and would willingly put himself at risk for others, taking on any challenge that confronts him without hesitat...more

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