The Wii Mini has been announced!

I may be a day late with this news, but it seems that Nintendo is about to release a new version of the Wii called the Wii Mini. While i'm still waiting for the Wii U (which releases in Australia in two days!) and couldn't care less about a new version of the Wii, Canadians who have missed out on the motion controls craze may be very happy to know that in just over a week they will be able to buy a Wii console for just $100!!!

This console does not include any support for Gamecube titles (no Gamecube controller ports) and lacks any form of internet connection, but can play any Wii retail title out right now! Nintendo says that this console can play the selection of Nintendo Select titles which are currently available for less than $20, which really shows its value! Unfortunately, as of now this has only been announced for Canada. Still, if you're interested in getting your Mario fix without forking out the money for a Wii U, this is amazing value!

Your Favourite Mario Enemy!

A while ago I posted a poll on this page that let you guys vote on your favourite basic Mario enemies. Unfortunately, it was a tie between Koopa Troopas and Shy Guys. However, I AM the moderator of this blog and so therefore I overpower all voters and say that Koopa Troopas are better than Shy Guys. So, without further ado, I now present your (and my) favourite basic Mario enemy ever, the KOOPA TROOPA!

Also, Koopa fans rejoice as Koopa Troopas are playable in pretty much any Mario sports game on the Wii, 3DS or DS as well as Mario Kart games where they are my favourite character (after Yoshi, of course!).

The Mini Mario Party 9 Review

Yeah, you heard it right. I actually invested in a brand new Mario Party game. Before you shout out "Mario fanatic" let me tell you something- this isn't just any Mario Party game, rather the BEST Mario Party game since the Nintendo 64 titles.

How is it better than those other Gamecube and Wii titles? Definitely not by sticking to the old formula. The usual developer Hudson Soft has recently become part of Konami, meaning that Nintendo has had to find a different developer for the project. So, they chose Wii Play Motion developer Nd Cube. Nd Cube decided to not include the complex board game part of the game. Instead they replaced it with a new linear board system where all the players ride in the same car, with each player taking a turn at driving the car in alternation. This system works great, and means Mario Party games could take as little as half an hour. The mini games have also being improved, with most of them actually being enjoyable.

 Graphics have also been improved, with Mario Party finally being converted into a widescreen game. There may only be 12 characters this time around, but they look great! Sound seems to be the only thing which hasn't been improved, with tunes that really just aren't memorable, yet they still sound slightly Mario-ish. Theres also one thing you need to enjoy this game- friends! This game is pretty much unenjoyable when you play by yourself. Let me tell you, it is much more enjoyable taking stars off your best friend!

So, to summarise it- This is the best Mario Party game to be released within the past ten years and has changed the game's usual formula to be faster and to have a focus on the mini games. If you enjoy having fun and have people to play it with, you'll love this game. So I'm giving it a-

8/10

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...

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 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!

Happy New Year!

That's right, it's now officially 2012, and today I am going on holidays for a week, over to a place with no internet connection. I know, it's terrible, isn't it?

On the Mario side of my life, for Christmas I received a copy of Super Mario 3D Land, which is downright amazing. I would say that if you do not currently have Super Mario 3D Land, get it!

But Super Mario 3D Land is only the beginning, I reckon this year will be the "Year of the Mario" as it marks the return of Mario Party, the release of the Wii U and the rise of the 3DS with Mario Tennis, Paper Mario 3DS and Luigi's Mansion 2 due to be released.

I've even designed a corny poster for it-

Super Mario 3D Land AND Skyward Sword

Today is a lucky day for Australian fans of Nintendo (like me) as it marks the release of Super Mario 3D Land as well as The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword on Australian shores. I know what you're thinking, and yes, Australia is late. While people in the UK and USA have already finished these games, they only just came out in Australia. That is why I placed my order on Skyward Sword from the UK. (But it still hasn't arrived yet!!!).

Anyway, my point is now is a great time to be a Nintendo fan as the latest and best Zelda game arrives almost simultaneously to the 3DS's first killer game from Nintendo that isn't a port!

So, I hope you guys have fun with these games, and I hope my shipment comes soon!

Is Skyward Sword the Best Zelda Game Ever?

In short, yes!

I have been waiting over a week for IGN to publish their review on LoZ: Skyward Sword because I had seen Game Informer and Edge Magazine give it a clear 10/10 but the folks at IGN are tough reviewers and they point out errors even in "flawless games". However, not only did Skyward Sword recieve a 10/10 by them, but it was also crowned the BEST ZELDA GAME EVER!

So, Skyward Sword is better than Ocarina of Time, the game highly regarded as one of the best games ever. This is a huge feat for the Zelda franchise, arguably the highest reviewed video game franchise ever.

So, hop on www.ign.com for IGN's full review.

Random Nintendo News

Well, I don't have anything special to write about today, but here's a list of random Nintendo news-

• WWE All-Stars is now coming to the 3DS.
• Potion crafting in Zelda: Skyward Sword, new pictures also available at IGN- http://au.media.wii.ign.com/media/872/872155/imgs_1.html.
• Just Dance 3 out on Wii, and with varied reviews.
• Go Vacation the new king of Wii party/sports mixture games, with massive amounts of minigames and areas to explore.