New Nintendo Network Details

It turns out that all the rumors about the Nintendo Network are true! It is not just a new name for Nintendo WFC, but a whole new Network similar to PSN and Xbox Live available on the 3DS and Wii U.

This Network will allow us to-

• Create personalised accounts, also allowing multiple of them per system.
• Buy downloadable content- meaning that you can buy an add-on for a game with extra levels, playable characters etc.
• Purchase games online- so we don't have to go to a shop to get games.
• And MORE!

That is pretty much all that is known about the Nintendo Network so far, so watch this space for more info in the upcoming months!

New Super Mario Bros. on the 3DS!

Nintendo has recently announced at a conference that a 2D Mario platformer will come to the 3DS within the next fiscal year (April 2012- March 2013). This means that this time next year we could quite possibly be enjoying a New Super Mario Bros. game on the 3DS!

I really can't wait to see what this title looks like!

My Failed Yoshi Papercraft!

If you look back at my top 5 Mario characters, it sort of becomes apparent that Yoshi is my favourite Mario character. So, I decided to express how much of a "world's-biggest-fan"I am for him by making a papercraft statue for him. 

What could go wrong, right? Well, everything! 

Maybe you guys could try making a Papercraft Yoshi, even send a picture of it in to me at plime97@gmail.com for bragging rights. You can get a link to this papercraft Yoshi and many more Papercraft Mario characters at http://nintendopapercraft.blogspot.com/search/label/Mario

New Mario Party 9 Trailer!

As we are nearing the release of the latest instalment of the Mario Party series, new information is popping up everywhere about the title. Here's the most recent trailer-

With a larger variety of minigames and game modes, it already looks better than Mario Party 8, so let's hope it stays that way. For the Wii's sake!

New Mario Party 9 Information!

Nintendo has recently revealed the box art for Mario Party 9, which currently is looking far better than expected.

As well as 80 new minigames, there are multiple changes being made in Mario Party 9. These include mini-bosses and bosses on each of the game boards and that all players will travel together in a car across the boards. Hopefully this means less annoying board game style gameplay and more minigaming!

Mario Party 9 is set to be released on the 2nd of March (My Birthday) in Europe and the 11th of March in the USA. I think I know what I'm getting for my Birthday...

Nintendo Network?

It seems the final box art for Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy is online and, well, just look at the top right corner. There is a logo saying NINTENDO NETWORK? Is Nintendo going to release an online network with messaging and everything similar to XBox Live and PSN? Or is it just another internet rumor? Only time will tell...

... but I would love an online enabled Mario game!

Nintendo's Best Ads

I was searching through all of my Nintendo-ey news today and I stumbled upon an article about Nintendo ads through the ages, and, well let's just say that Nintendo ads aren't normal. Here's an example-

And let's just say that Japenese Zelda ads got even stranger...

Mind you, that was all 90s stuff, Nintendo ads aren't nearly as weird and strangely addictive to watch anymore. To view the full article, go to http://au.wii.ign.com/articles/121/1215214p1.html

Super Mario Bros. Crossover

This may be an old game, but if you haven't already you should check out Super Mario Bros. Crossover! It is a great online game that has players navigating Super Mario Bros. levels with different NES characters such as Link and Samus. You can play it here!

Also, if you like the game you will be happy to know that a Super Mario Bros. Crossover 2 is coming out soon! Here's a trailer for it-

The Best Mario Games For The Wii

As the Nintendo Wii is nearing the end of it's 6 year lifespan it is time to reflect on the games that made it the success what it is today. Luckily for this blog, many of those games are based around Nintendo's mascot Mario. So, which games are the best of the best when it comes to Mario? Behold my list of the BEST Wii Mario games of each genre!


Best Platformer
There is lots of competition in this category as Super Paper Mario, the Mario Galaxy games and New Super Mario Bros Wii are all great games. However, the first Super Mario Galaxy game really stands out for it's great soundtrack, gameplay and outrageously clever level design. It even beats it's sequel!

Super Mario Galaxy really showcases Mario at his best!

Best Racing Game
Well, there's not really any competition here unless Donkey Kong: Jet Race counts as a Mario game. Still,  Mario Kart Wii is heaps better!


Best Party Game
The Wii really hasn't contained many Mario-themed Mario games. In fact, with Mario Party 9 set to be released later this year, Fortune Street and Mario Party 8 are it. Despite Fortune Street generally getting better press scores, gamer's generally find the mini game mayhem a lot more fun than Fortune Street's four hour long games.


Best Sports Game
This was the hardest category to judge by far due to the large amounts of Mario sports games out there. Mario has played Basketball, Hockey, Baseball, Soccer and even completed in the Olympic Games on the Wii. A few of the better games would include Mario Super Sluggers, Mario and Sonic at the 2012 Olympic games and Mario Sports Mix. Still, the best Mario sports game out there would have to be the outrageously fun Mario Strikers Charged. It is, put simply, the best Mario sports experience out there!

Soccer is a pretty dangerous game, even Toad is wearing a helmet!

So, are there any cool Mario games that you haven't got yet, or some you forgot you ever had? Tell us in the comments below about your favourite Mario game on the Wii!

Mario On The Wii U

The Wii U is inarguably the main thing to come out of Nintendo this year. Currently there have been many games revealed for it including a Rabbids game, Pikmin 3, a version of Batman: Arkham City and a Darksiders game announced among others. But where are the Mario games? Below is a list of Mario's outings on the Wii U-

New Super Mario Bros. Mii
This was one of many Wii U demos available at E3 2011, and was surely one of the most eye-catching! New Super Mario Bros. Mii is pretty much the same as any other 2D platformer, except the graphics are stunning and you can play as your own Mii! This one is already sold!

Untitled Super Smash Bros.
Talking about "sold", while this game may not even have a name yet I am bursting with excitement for this. So is the internet, with rumours about the characters and stages in this game sprouting up everywhere! Plus, this game will ALSO be available for the 3DS!

Super Mario ~~~~
Insert your own name here as nothing is known about it apart from that the same team behind the Super Mario Galaxy games is making it. Will it be Super Mario Galaxy 3, Super Mario Sunshine 2 or Super Mario Planet? Only time will tell...

Mario 10 Years Ago!

As we enter 2012 it is time to reflect on how Mario's life was 10 years ago, before we ever heard of dual screened gaming consoles and before Mario ever went to space!

2002 was one of Mario's greatest years. Sure, only four games were released that feature him, but he got to go on vacation in Super Mario Sunshine, the only Mario game to feature proper voice acting and my favourite Mario game ever!

The Gamecube's best selling game, Super Smash Bros Melee, had only just been released in the USA and was released in Australia and Europe in 2002. The game featured Mario, Yoshi, Princess Peach, Bowser and Donkey Kong among other characters from Nintendo's many franchises.

Meanwhile, on the Game Boy Advance, Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island was released as a remake of Super Mario World 2. The game was known for it's cute art style and surprisingly hard gameplay. 

Finally, to top it all off, Mario Party 4 was released on the Gamecube. It is, in my opinion, the best Mario Party game ever released!

If you have never played some of those games, I'd recommend you do. Remember, the Wii can play any Gamecube games (unless you've got one of those new ones) and the DS Lite can play any Gameboy games. OR, if your a 3DS Ambassador (like me) you can download Yoshi's Island for FREE!

Mario on the PS3 and Xbox 360!

How many of you readers have ever felt like playing a Mario game, only to realise that you own no Nintendo consoles? Not many, but if you are looking for a Mario-like game on the PS3 or Xbox 360, you have come to the right place. Here are my top 3 Mario-like platformers for the PS3 and Xbox 360-

1. Rayman Origins
This wacky four player platformer really is some of Rayman's best. Gone are the annoying Rabbids that we have come to know so well- Rayman Origins is a traditional platformer with a splash of creativity. Plus, it's only $19.95 at US Toys'r'Us stores!


2. Fancy Pants Adventures
Fancy Pants is one of the most smooth and agile characters ever to appear in a platfomer. He is super fun to play as and his game is great quality with it's simplistic artstyle and engaging gameplay. The best part is that it's only $16 on the PlayStation Store. If you like Mario, this game is utterly essential.


3. Sonic Generations
Sonic may be Mario's ultimate rival, but that doesn't mean you can't play his games. In Sonic Generations, Werehogs, Swords and Secret Rings are gone, leaving us with only the parts of Sonic games we love. Although it is only one payer and quite different to Mario, if you like Mario games you'll love this gem!


If you own a Nintendo console- Sonic Generations is available for the 3DS and Rayman Origins for the Wii.


Did this help you on your quest for a Mario filled life? Do you have any more suggestions? Sound off in the comment section below!

Miyamoto is Making a New Franchise!

Shigeru Miyamoto, president of Nintendo and the creator of the Mario, Zelda and Star Fox series among others, is currently designing a brand new game series! This is very exciting news for people like me who LOVE HIS GAMES!!!

Little has been said about this new IP apart from the fact that it will be a cartoony game rather than realistic. But odds are it is designed with the new Wii U controller in mind.

I doubt this game will be the next Mario or Zelda series but one thing is for sure, I am going to get it!

Miyamoto = Legend