Super Mario

I think it really says something about the maturity and freestanding quality of the medium that there can be a game that derives so much entertainment purely from self-reflexivity. That videogames provide such fertile ground for multi-dimensional satire (no pun intended) is as sure a sign as any of the creative health of the art form.

Inspired by a visual trick from The Thousand Year Door, the developers of Super Paper Mario asked a simple question: what would classic Mario levels look like expanded one dimension into the background? So yes, the entire game is based on a gimmick, but in its defence, the gimmick is an extremely good one. Oh, and there's some RPG and platforming stuff tossed in there as well to keep things from getting dull.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Cartoon Violence, Cartoon Mischief

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild comic mischief

I can talk about why the game is fun, but I can't lie and say the game is brilliant. Mario isn't what he used to be. There are glimmers and flickers of greatness in this game—moments where I felt the magic might almost be back.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Comic Mischief

Come on, Miyamoto, where's Mario? The world clearly wants more, but it's been ages since gamers were treated to a true sequel that takes it to the next level. The wretched Super Mario Sunshine doesn't count since all parties involved have basically admitted it was a one-off, and all these random sports and party games do is remind people that one of the world's most recognized icons has yet to make the appearance that we're all waiting for.

Game Description: Mario and Luigi: Partners In Time an insane sequel to the classic adventure starring the heroic brothers! In this sequel to Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga, the brothers travel back in time to retrieve Princess Peach, only to come face to face with baby versions of themselves, the princess and Bowser. They'll team up with their younger selves for a quest of lunatic proportions!