Nintendo DS

The GameStation is back with a sequel to its clever Mario Brothers/Grand Theft Auto mash up. This time, there is a new Don, a Don-Key Kong, stepping on Bowser's turf. Who does he call for help? The Brothers Mario of course.

At first I couldn't see Donkey Kong and Mario as enemies going up against Bowser. That was until I realized that, historically speaking, Donkey Kong and Mario have been enemies from Nintendo's beginning. I guess years of watching them pal around in Super Mario Kart, Mario Tennis and Super Smash Bros. skewed my view.

A Hard Night's Work

HIGH WELCOME!

LOW Repeatedly failing part of chapter 16 because an object I needed was just slightly out of view.

WTF Why does everyone in this game like chicken so much?

Some kids get parties where they get to dress up as their favorite super hero or game character and their Mom and Dad throws around some related paraphernalia (mostly store-bought shlock).

This four-year-old's parents went above the call to create something so authentic and detailed that its a shame the four-year-old won't remember it when he or she is older.

It seems anyone with a camera and fellow film students with free time has made a Super Mario Bros. movie. This latest one goes at the Mario story from perhaps a more realistic angle. The story of Mario seems the result of a series of hallucinogenic experiences by the lead character. Are those really power-up blocks he sees? Is Bowser really a lizard? Maybe Mario just has a substance abuse problem.

Chrono Trigger's Spiritual Successor?

HIGH Figuring out how to change a timeline in order to save one of your allies from permanent death.

LOW Skipping through the same story scenes for the fifth time.

WTF The main character was originally supposed to be a sword...thank God they changed that.

Being the immense Phoenix Wright fan that I am, I had high hopes that Shu Takumi's new work would be of a similar quality, and I was not disappointed. While the concept of playing a ghost that can possess inanimate objects has been done before (anyone remember Geist on the GameCube?) it's never been done as well or as stylishly as it is here.

It seems like most of the people who wrote reviews of 999 thought very highly of it. I'm not sure why that was; I found the game to be a fairly tedious exercise in the repetition of insufficiently interesting puzzles. 999 creates this problem for itself because of its structure. The enforced replays that are central to 999's design and fiction ask for more from the puzzles and dialogue than they are able to contribute as art or entertainment.

Rémi Gaillard's dedication to authenticity continues to impress. Too bad by standers and The Law don't share his passion.

A big jar of hearts for the creators of this fan-made trailer for tackling five of the big 1980s teen movies. (The Breakfast Club, Say Anything, Sixteen Candles, and two others.) Post a comment if you know the names of the last two movies.

3DS! PSP! Smartphones! Which represents the true future of mobile gaming? Plus: Our most anticipated titles of 2011, and you'll struggle to hold back tears as Richard becomes a man. (NOTE: We recorded this episode before the big PSP2/NGP announcement—you'll marvel at the semi-accuracy of our predictions!) Featuring Chi Kong Lui, Brad Gallaway, Mike Bracken, Richard Naik, and Tim "The Timely Producer" Spaeth.

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