Games that changed the industry #3 Super Mario Bros

Most gamers have a character that defines gaming for them. Think Master Chief, Crash Bandicoot, Sonic, Pikachu and so on. Of all such characters though one stands above all other almost undisputedly and he is of course the worlds favourite plumber: Mario.

Mario first appeared in the arcade game Donkey Kong in 1981, but that’s not the game that is synonymous with his character. That would be Super Mario Bros.

Since it’s release in 1985 on the NES, Super Mario Bros. sold over 40 million units making it the best selling game ever until the release of Wii Sports in 2006.

The game was more complicated than previous Mario entries with more features and levels. The player would control Mario in his attempt to reach Princess Peach from the evil Bowser saving Toads on the way. The player had to pass obstacles and enemies while collecting coins by jumping up and hitting boxes in the air.

Since its release in almost thirty years ago it has spawned several re-releases on new Nintendo consoles with various other games being released in the franchise. Despite this, no follow up since Super Mario Bros. has come close to being as successful or as recognisable.

Most early games on this list are really considered to be forerunners to something bigger and better in the future, the way through to modern games if you like. Here though we have an exception, Super Mario Bros. not only defined one of the most successful franchises ever, but also cemented the Platform genre as one that will exist forever.

Mario’s first major outing then is still as playable today as it was 29 years ago. And on that note I’d say have a Google search, find a flash version of the old original- or better yet drag out someone’s old NES and play it like it was meant to be played. Go on, you know you want to.

Super Smash Bros. 3DS Review

It is widely thought that Nintendo have had success based on well developed series’ based on fun and exciting characters that are known by gamers regardless of whether or not they ever bought a Nintendo console. Characters such as Mario, Link or Donkey Kong each have their own successful franchises that have made them as popular as they are but surely the pinnacle of Nintendo’s achievement is in bringing all of these iconic characters, plus some extras, together in the Smash Bros series. The most recent generation to be released sees the first handheld version on the 3DS.

With the move to a handheld system and the success of the previous game in the series, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Nintendo could be forgiven if the latest installment was lacking some degree of finesse. This however doesn’t seem to be the case, though the 3DS installment doesn’t have a story mode like the previous game, there are plenty of different ways to play the game, some of which, such as Smash Run, will be exclusive to the handheld version. Challenges always have the potential to offer problems to players, while never feeling overly frustrating.

Of course for many though, the biggest draw to this game, as any Nintendo game, will be the vibrancy of the playable characters. With almost 50 different characters from various Nintendo and third party games there is plenty of variation and as a result replay value is a given. Though there isn’t any character development or any real sense of what you’re trying to achieve, most people wont mind too much with the different fighting styles and game modes to explore.

The best way though to play the series has always been with friends and the newest addition to the series is no different. With options to play co-operatively, individually, with friends or with anyone there are no shortages of online options to keep you occupied. Despite this, the best way to play this game will be locally with friends around, the social element of the series has made it as popular as it is and will continue to do so for this game’s life cycle as well.