Nintendo Consoles

Super Mario Games - Then & Now

Each one of us must have heard the name of a game “The Super Mario Bros”. They are one of the most recognizable pairs of video game characters ever created by Nintendo.

When I bought my Nintendo Entertainment System Super Mario Bros game was included in its package. The Nintendo had realized the success of the game at first release. I was in video game heaven with better graphics, sounds, presentation and depth of the game. It was a whole new gaming experience.

Several Nintendo systems, like the ‘Game cube’ and the ‘N64′ are available and still comes with “Super Mario Bros Games” with newer versions of Super Mario game that are more enjoyable to play with. Nintendo, a Japanese based company is most benefited by ‘Super Mario Bros’ than any other advertising campaign they may have ever used. Definitely, there are so many new versions of  Super Mario Bros games available in the market today.

Recently, I played Mario Kart series of Super Mario Bros games and became my favorite. These Super Mario games are fun because they are designed to be played against other players at the same time. Earlier, you could play the original Super Mario Brothers games with more than one player, but not simultaneously making it a problem for two or more to play at the same time. The other player had to wait for your friend’s player to die so you could have your turn. But in new version, “Mario Kart” gaming has a new experience as now you can play with several at the same time.

Executive Summary From Philip Culver

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Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl Sinnoh Electronic Pokedex Review
By Yvonne Stapleton

This particular Pokedex by Jakks Pacific (#59831) features all 151 from Pokemon Diamond to Pokemon Pearl Sinnoh Region, with fun electronic voice-overs and music featured throughout gameplay, with a twin screen and black and white display.

Mini Games Menu:

1.      Maze Game - Your objective is to find 10 Pokemon and escape the Sea Temple Maze.

2.      Who’s That Pokemon? - In this game you have to guess what each Pokemon is by their number shown. You have a multiple choice of 3 answers, with a shadow image of each shown on top screen.

3.      Which Doesn’t Belong? - 3 different characters are shown one by one on top screen with numbers below. You need to work out which one isn’t the same type.

4.      Pokemon Search, “Find the Pokemon” - You need to watch the Pokemon as they move around the screen and find where they are hiding.

5.      Who Would Win? - You are presented with 2 Pokemon on top screen one by one, with multiple choice answers below. You have to guess which one would have the advantage in a duel.

6.      Pokemon Memory - You have 12 chances in this game (text displayed on top screen) to match Pokemon characters shown on bottom screen as Poke Balls. Each time you try to get a match their pictures are shown on top screen.

7.      Poke Ball Shuffle - Watch carefully as Pikachu hops into one of 5 Poke Balls and the balls shuffled on top screen. Use the arrow buttons to choose where Pikachu is hiding.

Pokemon Gallery:

Consisting of all 151 from Pokemon Diamond to Pokemon Pearl Sinnoh Region. Select Pokedex from Main Menu, then “Pokemon Gallery” on menu to enter. Displayed one by one, with top screen displaying character image, name and number on bottom screen, listen to a voice-over description of name and type.

Find a Pokemon:

Plenty of selection here. You can locate your Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl by number, letter, height, weight, type, number list, letter list, or collection. You can also add to your collection after viewing.

Options Menu:

Sound - Select volume control from 0 (no sound), up to 4 (loudest). The sound is fantastic, very clear, with female voice-overs throughout, and Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl themed music.

Contrast - There are 4 settings for contrast which can be changed separately on both lower and upper screens.

The other bonus is the Pokedex automatically goes into standby mode if left unattended to save on battery power.

Summary:

Score: 8/10

Overall the Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl Sinnoh Pokedex is a fun and informative electronic toy, with plenty of challenges, that I would recommend for kids. Simple gameplay, easy learning curve and controls, vibrant sound, gallery and other features would provide a long lasting investment.

The screen graphics are displayed in black and white, of which I’ve deducted 2 points off final score, as I feel a colour screen would make this toy perfect.

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Mario Party 8 Review

The world’s most popular party videogame is getting a lot crazier in Mario Party 8 for Wii! Whether you’re shaking up cola cans or lassoing barrels, you and your friends will be drawn into the action like never before using the Wii Remote.

All new ways to play:

• Play with motion control: Row your way through a river race, Punch a statue to pieces, Steer race cars, mopeds, and go-karts, Handle a balancing pole while walking a tightrope.
• Play using the Pointer: Shoot at Boos in a haunted house, Drag and drop toppings in a cake-decorating competition, Select the correct answers in game-show challenges.
• Play using the Wii Remote’s buttons: Jump and pummel your way through a football brawl, Hop and run across a field of spinning platforms.

All new features:

Mario Party 8 for Wii also includes dozens of new mini-games, six new party boards, and many new game modes. In a series first, players can transform their characters into many forms, such as player-smashing boulders and coin-sucking vampires. Mario Party 8 also includes “extra-large” mini-games like Star Carnival Bowling and Table Menace. One to four players can play Mario Party 8 for Wii, each with a Wii Remote.

Pros:

+  When the Wii Controls are good, the games are actually quite fun
+  Simplistic gameplay; anyone could pick this up and play it with no problems
+  There are over 60 mini-games to play

Cons:

-  There are far too many mini-games where the wii controls feel tacked on, and these games are pretty boring to play
-  There are far too many mini-games that don’t make use of the motion sensor controls at all
-  There are not a lot of very inventive mini-games
-  In short, the game doesn’t do much to stand out above previous Mario Party installments. You’d think with the Wii Remote, Mario Party 8 would be something new to experience, but instead it ends up not being that much of a step higher than Mario Party 7

Overall Appraisal

Graphics                 : B+
Sound                     : B
Control                    : B+
Fun & Enjoyment  : B+ for solo players;   A- for Multiplayer Action
Overall                     : B+

source : www.amazon.com

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