(Memorable sigh) This game really took me back.  I honestly can’t say when I’ve come across such a nostalgic blend of classic (yet new) controls, music, and level design.  I knew I had to pick up New Super Mario Bros. Wii, what with being such a big fan of the old (or any) Mario Bros. games.  I knew it would be fun, but I got quite a fun experience that you just don’t get from many games anymore.  It was simple, yet challenging, fun, yet frustrating, and classic, yet brand new.

I don’t think I need to explain the story in much detail.  If you’ve been conscious at all within the past 20 years then you probably know how Mario’s day goes: Bowser swoops in, kidnaps the princess, Mario must rescue her.  This game throws in the seven koopalings and Bowser, Jr. for good measure.

As Mario, you must go through eight worlds and defeat Bowser’s illegitimate children (What? Have you ever seen their mother? No you haven’t) and take him down to free Princes Peach.  This game is best described as a beautiful blend between Super Mario Bros. 1, 3, and Super Mario World, with a little bit of Yoshi’s Island and Super Mario 64 sprinkled on top.  Each world has its own unique characteristics such as water world, ice land, fire pits of hell, much like Super Mario Bros. 3.  Each level within these worlds is quite uniquely designed and very original, but they have just enough nostalgia to keep you remembering the old games as you jump and hop for your dear life.  The castles hammer this fact home with each castle looking like blendings of castles from previous games.

One difference you’ll notice between these levels and the old ones is that these new ones are much less forgiving.  Don’t get me wrong, the older games were very challenging, but most levels had a place where you could at least stop and think for a second.  New Super Mario Bros. Wii gives you no such luxury.  These levels are just hard, really hard.  There is no time to stop and think, just go, go, go!  Whether you’re running from lava, dodging rocks, or avoiding COUNTLESS enemies, these stages will definitely put your platforming skills to the test.  Remembering the old controls might help.

The controls are about as responsive as the old game, for better or worse I guess.  It does feel nice to pick up the control and instantly know what to do, but moving your character back and forth feels like driving a boat  through drying cement sometimes.  Thankfully it doesn’t break gameplay.

You’ll recognize all the classic power-ups like mushrooms, fire flowers, and stars, along with some new ones like a penguin suit, an ice flower, and a helicopter hat.  These power-ups make for a very different playthrough with whichever one you choose.  They mix up the gameplay enough to where jumping over obstacles and on enemies never really gets old.

The music is probably what will have your memory doing summersaults more than anything.  Every piece is some kind of throwback to older games (sometimes with a new spin on it); from the castle them from Mario 64, to the underground music from the original game, to several musical numbers that come from different levels from the past.  Along with the music, you get the classic jump and power-up sound effects along with little bits of speech from Mario that we’ve all come to recognize.

Probably one of the coolest parts of this game is being able to play all the level with up to four players at once.  This makes for some hilarious, yet frustrating displays of platforming.  It is fun most of the time, but having a friend make you miss a jump or push you off a ledge can sometimes cause you to break a controller over their face.  No, I have no experience in this matter…moving on…

Tight controls, fun levels and gameplay, and a very nostalgic field make this a must play for Mario fans, or just Wii owners in general.  You’ll have a blast playing alone or with your friends and all the while you’ll be reminiscing about the good ol’ days.