Video Games: The Movie: The Review

Written By: Tyler

Rating: 6.5/10
Verdict: It's an entry-level, unfocused look at video games, but tries to convince us that it's more. Gamers will most likely already be too familiar with what is being said to feel like they're learning anything new because it doesn't add much to the conversation. For those who may not be as knowledgeable on video games, this could be an informative watch despite the lack of depth.


Here on On The Gamely, I cover video games. Once in a while though, I will review something from a different medium so long as it relates to games. I've done a review or two on books that were about games, and now I'm premiering the first ever movie review on this blog. How fitting it is then, that it's a movie about the art form as a whole and not a particular game or aspect of gaming. Unfortunately, it wasn't a great experience.

When Video Games: The Movie starts, we are given a bunch of video game footage. A lot of these games are old, some very old, but it is used to set the tone, to show us where we began. After that, we are given an information dump -- a bunch of statistics on things such as what percentage of each sex plays games, for example. It's dry and it's not really how I would have started a movie that is meant to be a love letter to games.

In fact, the main problem I have with it is that it's basically Video Games 101. Part of the problem is with the director/writer himself, part of it is due to the fact that gaming, at this point, is too huge an industry to generalize in a movie that spans an hour and forty minutes. If it was explicitly stated that the movie is a beginners guide to gaming, then I would have less of a problem, but it gets lost in an identity crisis. Is it an entry level look at games? Or is it meant for the people who probably already know most of what they're talking about -- the gamers? This is a problem throughout.

If you are an outsider looking it, it's probably relatively informative. It touches briefly on what goes into making a game, gives a look of the evolution of games, and there are talking heads discussing how much they love games. It mentions gaming as an art form and the controversies that have plagued the industry for a long time. What gamer can forget all the studies we've had that "prove" that games make kids violent? It's a decent, yet extremely general, look at video games. I never felt like I was learning anything, but I'm sure non-gamers would.

In defense of the movie (yes, against myself), it's extremely difficult to take a subject like this and tackle it effectively. Because video games are a very forward, fast moving medium, it'd be incredibly frustrating to try to make a movie that documents all of that. The movie needed more focus. I would have preferred a movie that dissected certain aspects well rather than one that only briefly mentions topics that need more time than they were given.

The lack of focus extends towards how it's organized. The movie jumps around way too much, trying to juxtapose things that shouldn't be connected. It has a real issue with tone because of that, and it doesn't help that they'll mention something only to go back to it ten minutes later after they've discussed something else. It's not that it's hard to follow, it just messes with the flow of the entire film. The transitions are often messy, and there's very little consistency, which really dampens the overall experience. This is a passion project, and at times this shines through, but it's clumsily put together and has a hard time getting that passion over on its audience.

It's not a terrible documentary, but I wish it was put together better and was more sure of itself. There are moments that just make it feel insecure. This is a problem that bleeds into what I said above -- it doesn't know who it's for. Why should it have to justify gaming if it's meant for the people who already love games? Just go that extra mile and give us the love letter that it teases. If it's not meant for the serious gamer who already has knowledge on the subject, then ride with that.

As it stands, it's just too confused to be a great movie. Despite it's organizational issues and its sometimes dry nature, it manages to land firmly in the "pretty good" category. It is a broad, far-reaching attempt to shine light on something that may be a baby compared to other art forms, but it fails to add any real substance to the conversation. But hey, at least the DLC will fix it... right?

Top Ten Tuesday -- Top 10 Catchphrases In Video Games

Written By: Tyler

I like lists. In fact, I like lists a lot. If I had my way I'd probably sit around and make lists that nobody else cares about all day. But alas, people tell me that I have to go have a life or go to work. I was on The Broke and The Bookish where they do/did Top Ten Tuesdays and I really like the idea of doing that weekly... however I probably won't be able to commit to it every week because I'm not that creative and this blog is free (I know, mind blown) and I have to put priority on other matters like paying those little gimmicks called bills -- to quote Stone Cold Steve Austin. Oh well, I will from this point on try to do a Top Ten Tuesday as often as possible even if it's only once a month.

Since Bravely Default is so long and is taking up so much time I haven't written a review in a while and coincidentally I've had less content on here lately because of it. Fear not, a review for Bravely Default is coming, along with Thief and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, among whatever indie games happen to fall into my lap.

One thing I feel the need to mention, and will probably mention each time I make a list, is that this is my list. I'm not sitting here trying to be "objective." I'm not sitting here debating to myself what the most important catch phrase is. I keep it simple stupid because my mind can't handle much else -- I include the catch phrases that I like.


Here are the Top 10 Catchphrases In Video Games

It's important to note there is a difference between catch phrases and quotes. There are some badass quotes in games but if they've only said it once then it doesn't qualify. I don't like to flood my list with the same games so if there are numerous catchphrases in one game the entire game will be represented by my absolute favourite.


10: Scorpion from Mortal Kombat - "Get Over Here!"

When you hear Scorpion yell this at you, it's too late, you've already been hit (damn!). If you didn't catch that Limp Bizkit reference than shame on you.

Scorpion is a badass and he throws his spear at you. When it hits you, he yells this at you and even though you really don't wanna go over there, you have no choice because the spear is in your neck or chest. After that point there's probably an uppercut coming.


9: Random Voice in Ogre Battle - "Fight It Out"

This probably isn't a popular pick but I try to throw Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen into everything I do. At work, at home, at fancy dinners, whatever, I talk about Ogre Battle.

Right before you're about to get in a fight, you hear a voice say "Fight it out." And then this song hits:
Then you know shit got real


8: Moogles in Final Fantasy - Kupo!

I love Moogles. Fans of Final Fantasy love Moogles. I feel like they are a good representation of Final Fantasy. Admittedly, while characters have said a lot of great lines in the series, there aren't that many great catchphrases, so leave it to the cute little white things to save the day.


7: Random Enemies from River City Ransom - Barf!

A great supporting role in a movie compliments the lead and makes the experience better. The enemies in River City Ransom compliment you because when you are done kicking the shit out of them, they die... but first they barf. It's extremely satisfying.



6: Your Wife From Genghis Khan 2 - "...Is that lipstick on your collar?"

You can choose to spend time with your family in order to create children to lead your army after you pass. I think Genghis Khan 2 is an overlooked or at least under appreciated Strategy game from a company that was firing on all cylinders at the time, and despite it being memorable for all kinds of reasons, it's this quote that sticks out to me.

Why? Because the game forces you to cheat! I've entered marital problems that I didn't even know existed! I was off trying to build an empire but apparently I was getting down a lot with random girls (or guys?), and my wife knows it. She's a clever little thing, but she still sleeps with me so in my book that's a win-win for men all around the world.


5: Toad from Super Mario Bros. - "Thank you Mario! But our Princess is in another castle!"

It's such an overdone choice but there's a reason for that. For years, children all over would play Mario and we'd be bashed over the head with disappointment after disappointment when we were told this. The thing that really pisses me off is that he seems so joyful about it... I mean as much as an 8-bit character can be. Look at those exclamation marks.


4: Ryu and Ken from Street Fighter - "Shoryuken!"

This beats "Hadouken!" for me just because of the amount of passion that Ryu and Ken put into it. I feel like that has to count for something, so even though I like using the Hadouken more, Ryu and Ken deserve more praise for their enunciation of Shoryuken.


3: Sergeant Cortez from Timesplitters - "It's time to split."

This is one of the most self-aware, cheesiest lines in all of gaming, and I love Cortez for it. It gets to the point that he has used it so much that he ends up getting cut-off because people are just tired of him. That's the mark of a classic catchphrase, and I can only hope I can get to that point in my life.


2: The Game Over Screen in the Metal Gear Solid Series - "Snake? Snake? SNAAAAAAAKE!"

This beat out Solid Snake going "Damn!" and "Metal Geeeeear?" but it was a hard choice. This is more memorable because whenever you die people get upset. That's an alien feeling to me in real life (because I die all the time and nobody cares), so when you hear people like Otacon yell your name... it makes you feel good.


1: Atlas/Fontaine in Bioshock - "Would you kindly?"

I had to put this number one because it's a legit awesome line. Some of these choices are just because I spent years having them drilled into my head. This is actually clever writing. What I love about Bioshock is that it's very post-modern. It dissects video games.

It does this by taking something that gamers never think about and putting a new spin on it. As gamers we just do what we're told. We progress when we can. In Bioshock you progress because you're hypnotized. All of a sudden, it all makes sense... he wasn't just being nice to you, he was bossing you around! It's genius and it's my favourite catchphrase.



If you have an idea of a list that you'd like to see me do, regardless of how silly it could be, let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @ArtBathednCrime. I will try my best to eventually do it as long as it's possible and entertaining.

Got Someone Who Loves You? All Alone? No Matter... Here Are 14 Games (Well 15 Technically) To Play On Valentine's Day

Written By: Tyler


It's that time of the year... that time where people celebrate their relationships, loners feel even more alone and every website on the planet makes a Valentine's Day special. I am no different, so I've created a list of 14 games (though technically 15 but two are in the same series) that you should play on this precious corporate cash grab day. There are probably games more deserving but I threw this together pretty quickly and I feel it's a good start.

Er, I mean, you shouldn't be playing video games anyway... go take your girlfriend or boyfriend out and enjoy life.


Baby Maker Extreme 2

If you're a straight couple then this is how it's going to go. You are a man (look, just go with it ladies), and you are going to charm your woman. You will go out, get something to eat, maybe go dancing. Maybe you'll go have a picnic... I don't know, it's your Valentine's Day. Then you're going to have sex. It's a foregone conclusion so just roll with it. But the real problem comes afterwards -- the pregnancy. Oh no! We don't have money, we're in debt, we're thirteen, we don't know how to handle this situation. 

Don't worry, because Baby Maker Extreme 2 has at least one of those problems under control. This game will teach you exactly how the birth is going to be, and it's insanely accurate. You're welcome lovers.


Super Mario Bros.

Let's be honest, the core Mario games work because the whole point was usually to save the princess. Isn't that true love? I think it has to be. Or it's just some weird roleplay that I don't want to think about. Gross, Mario.


Braid

Braid is a big indie game because it got really popular. That's fair because I think it deserves it. But that in itself doesn't make it a great game to play on Valentine's Day, so what does? The fact that throughout the whole thing are you trying to save a girl a la Mario. Or it's a metaphor for a bomb. Either way it's like a relationship and this puzzle-platformer should definitely be played on that day.


Catherine

Just explain why you're playing a game with things like this.

The whole game is focused on relationships. I mean, it's not that romantic as it deals with cheating and whatnot, but it's still a clever, slightly weird game to play with your significant other... right?


Ico

What shows companionship more than holding a person's hand in order to guide them through the levels? If you're a male and you show your girl this, she could think you're such a sweetheart if you play it right. "No sweetie, I didn't have to hold this person's hand, I'm just really kind and sensitive." She doesn't have to know you can't progress unless you do. However, if she knows that you have to do that, then +1 to your relationship. You got yourself a keeper.


The Darkness 1 and 2

Ahhh, love.

If you can get past the fact that these games are incredibly dark, you actually have one of the more heart-warming tales of love in gaming. This isn't even a joke. The Darkness 2 especially conveys how much the main character loves his girlfriend.


Mario Kart

Most of my picks have been single player, so I have to throw out this. Mario Kart is acceptable for any situation that you could possibly dream up, but especially Valentine's Day because it's simple to get into, has familiar characters and is just a lot of fun to play with someone.


I Wanna Be The Guy

Get used to seeing that. It's also a great reason to quit playing games and actually go out.

Notorious for being incredibly um, challenging, I Wanna Be The Guy is a perfect opportunity to tell your significant other how good he/she/It has it. Think about it -- the game is so hard that after your lover has played the game you can look at him/her and say, "You may get pissed off at me for the stupid things that I do but you never get this pissed off." Plus, the title works if you're asking someone out. Nothing creepier or odder than asking someone out by simply saying "I wanna be the guy."


Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen

What you don't realize is that this is actually an orgy in the making. <3 Free love.

Do people fall in love in this game? It's been so long I can't really remember the story. It doesn't matter though, because I didn't pick this game because I thought that it was a fitting Valentine's Day game. I picked Ogre Battle because a) it's Ogre Battle and b) any day is a good day to play Ogre Battle. So there you have it.


Final Fantasy 7

Don't mind me, I'm just about to drown Aeris. Love you girl.

Some call it the greatest RPG ever, some call it the most overrated RPG ever. Some just plain hate it. But it's hard to deny that it's a great game to play on Valentine's Day because there's a whole lot of love in it... and some of it may or may not involve a big black guy.

Cloud falls in love with Aeris. But depending on who you ask, Cloud loved Tifa all along. I don't know why we couldn't have just had all of them together. There is also that time where Cloud might have taken Barrett on a date in the Gold Saucer. I'm not judging... I'm just saying that it works on all levels.


Double Dragon

Their brotherhood is unbreakable...

I'm a Double Dragon 2 guy, but what says love better than two brothers fighting for your affection? Yes, you fight your flesh and blood for a woman at the end of this. Beautiful, sweet love, tearing brothers apart.


Passage

Love is a, er, um, hallway?

I want to be serious for a second. This pixel romance is extremely touching and true to life. All you do is walk to the right for a few minutes but an entire life passes and it's incredibly effective. It shows true love without saying a word.


To The Moon

Just to say on the "serious side" for a little bit, To The Moon doesn't start as a love story. But as they dig into his memories you see that the focus is entirely on a relationship. So with that said, you don't have to go to the moon to find love, you can find it in To The Moon. Oh god that was cheesy.


Manhunt

From loving you.

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than by playing a game known for being disgusting and offensive? Ruthless violence -- sounds like my previous relationships. Manhunt has a certain gritty charm, and as bad as it may sound... killing someone by putting a bag over their head is insanely satisfying. Do you think I'm psycho yet?

News Round-Up, January 19 - 25 -- OMG, TITANFALL

Written By: Tyler Selig

Every Saturday I will be doing a News Round-Up, where I talk about some of the game related news that made the rounds over the past week. Though I link to every article and I make comments about everything, some of it is tongue-in-cheek and I'm not entirely serious, but maybe just a little serious. They also won't be a comprehensive list of news, just some of the more memorable stuff to me, or just the stuff I either have an opinion on, care about or can make fun of.

These will probably end up being more gif/image heavy than any other article I write because the only way for a person to accurately express their emotions is through gifs.

Booth Babes Are Useless
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/test-finds-booth-babes-ineffective/1100-6417222/

In a shocking turn of events this week, there was an article about booth babes that said perhaps, just perhaps, sex doesn't sell like the industry wants you to believe. It also questions the morality of having scantily clad women helping sell your products to begin with. I for one am deeply offended and I will not stand for this:

Maybe now my blog will get a reader.

 And neither will this guy:

A world where babes aren't included in everything just isn't okay.

 
TITANFALL!!    

Titanfall, the incredible looking new competitive shooter from some of the developers of Call of Duty, is in alpha and some glorious people uploaded footage that they weren't supposed to. No it wasn't me. But I will spread it. Keep in mind that by the time I post this -- I add to this article every day that news hits that I want to include -- the footage may be taken down.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x19x97d_titanfall-direct-feed-alpha-gameplay-video_videogames?start=3

Gosh.

I have a few things to say about this:

• It looks like Titanfall really is going to be a Call of Duty killer like one of the people said. It actually won't because Call of Duty can't even be killed by Dark Souls, but I appreciate the thought.
• They are much better at this game then I will ever be.
• I'm not a fan of how light Call of Duty feels but it makes sense in Titanfall, since you jump and double-jump around, climb into Titans and eject from said Titans. With that said, part of me wishes the health was more like Halo, where you could take a few shots. Oh well.
• PUT THIS GAME RIGHT IN MY BUTT (did I say that in a blog?)

So I was sitting here all hyped for Titanfall and then I was reminded of who was publishing it.

Eater of Worlds.

Well I look forward to playing it a year after it's released. Titanfall -- Game of 2015!


Microsoft Just Wants You To Like It
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-paying-youtubers-for-positive-xbox-one-coverage/1100-6417235/

In news that isn't really shocking at all, Microsoft apparently paid consumers to upload videos that promoted their product. I don't really have anything to say about this because you, the Internet, will take from this what you will. All I will say is XB1M13.


OG Nintendo Has No Plans For Mario On Smartphones And Isn't Going Away From Making Consoles
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/01/20/nintendo-has-no-plans-for-mario-on-smartphones

 There are very few things that are worthy of me breaking out a Training Day gif, but this is one of them because quite frankly I'm tired of the talk about Nintendo needing to leave the hardware biz or release games for phones.  Listen, the Wii U is under performing and it's clear that Nintendo has to do something but the Wii U is original and unlike the other systems. In fact, that's the story of Nintendo... come out, do something cool, and a lot of the time watch as your competitors take your ideas and admittedly sometimes make them better. Nintendo is innovation within console gaming in a lot of ways.

EA Also Caught With Their Hands in Their Pants

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/01/21/ea-also-reportedly-paying-youtube-channels-for-coverage

So not only did Microsoft get called out for paying for positive coverage of their systems, but EA felt like they didn't have enough bad publicity so they jumped onto that ship too. I almost feel bad for EA at this point, with how much myself and others have shit all over them, it feels like we're bullying them but you know what?

Listen, whether you believe this is normal partnership business or it's some bullsheeeet isn't important... what's important is that we can laugh at both Microsoft and EA in one week. There must be a god somewhere.


PS4 Apparently Has Problems With Corrupting Save Files
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/01/21/ps4-error-corrupting-save-files

An error has appeared to some unlucky PS4 owners where their save files get corrupted and in some cases they're unable to open apps, but in that article there is also a proposed solution by Sony. One thing is for sure... this is awful news because I hate it when my non-existent save files for my non-existent games get corrupted.

Candy Crush Saga Developer Doesn't Want You To Use The Word Saga
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/01/22/candy-crush-saga-dev-king-trademarks-the-word-candy

There was a perfect example of Corporate pettiness this week, and it came from King, developers of the Facebook disaster game Candy Crush. They recently went after Stoic Studios for their usage of the word "saga" in The Banner Saga. They stated that "saga" has played an important part in their brand, and I agree because a stupid little Facebook game is definitely more deserving of the Old Nordic word than the game that's about Vikings.

Killzone: Shadow Fall To Add Clans -- Great, I Still Don't Have Friends
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/01/22/killzone-shadow-fall-expansion-dlc-and-clans-coming-soon

It was announced before that we're getting DLC, but Guerrilla Games announced that now we are going to have clans. I already made the "no friends" joke up above in the headline so, like, guys, I got nothin'. Hope you're all happy.

YOU READY TO KILL GIANT ANTS? BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT I WAS BORN FOR!
http://www.destructoid.com/earth-defense-force-2025-lands-february-18-269328.phtml

I thought that a release date for the US was announced before but maybe I just knew it was coming in February. Regardless, this article on Destructoid says that there is also a bunch of DLC coming as well. Earth Defense Force in less than a month, with more missions to completely slaughter giant ants, spiders and robots?

Okay EA, I'm Getting A Little Tired Of Mentioning You
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-nintendo-is-not-dead-to-us/1100-6417302/

Here's some positive news, sort-of, coming out of the EA camp. A while back an employee said the Wii U was crap, and now EA is saying that Nintendo is not dead to them. They proved this by having absolutely no Wii U games in development. Thanks guys, not that it'd matter anyway because they won't work. Sorry I'm milking this joke.


Kingdom Come: Deliverance Reaches Kickstarter Goal
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/01/24/kingdom-come-deliverance-hits-kickstarter-goal

At first I thought the game looked solid, and some may not like this but I thought it looked like a less-magical Skyrim. That's not really a criticism even though I've famously -- meaning to the three people that talk to me on a regular basis -- stated that the love is there for Elder Scrolls, but not the over-the-top fandom that it receives from other people.

So as I watched the trailer on that link above, I was excited but then things like LARGE SCALE BATTLES, CASTLE SIEGES, AUTHENTIC INNOVATIVE FIRST-PERSON COMBAT, MILLIONS OF MEDIEVAL WHORES TO LAY WASTE TO (oh wait this isn't HBO) started bludgeoning me in the face and I went like this:

Kingdom Come isn't expected until 2016, mind you, so brb, getting in my time machine.


MORE TITANFALL!!!
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/01/24/titanfall-no-microtransactions-season-pass-unconfirmed

It was also revealed this week that not only is Titanfall looking legitimately awesome, but there are no microtransactions which means I'm still going to suck but I won't be paying to... still suck.


That appears to be it for this week. So until next time, go talk about the Wii U and how it's failing because that's what everybody else is doing anyway.

Aw Look At the Cute Cat Suit - A Super Mario 3D World Review

Written By: Tyler Selig

Rating: 9.5/10

Verdict: Super Mario 3D World doesn’t re-invent Mario, but embraces everything that brought Mario to the dance. That -- and some really clever and fun level design – makes this one of the best Mario games ever.

          

               I have a long history with Mario, much like I’m sure a lot of “old school” gamers do. I remember the NES packaged with the first solo Mario game. I remember Donkey Kong. I remember playing Mario pretty religiously through my youth, to the point where I would dream of playing Mario 3. I would sneak over to my older brother’s room, where the NES was, and play it at five in the morning. For some reason he still likes me.

                But the thing is, as much as I love Mario and I honestly feel no childhood is complete without Mario, I don’t follow Mario as much as I should. There are amazing installments that I just haven’t played, such as Galaxy. I hadn’t even played Super Mario 3D Land, which this is a sequel to. I generally just for a while without playing any of the games and then one day I think, “I should play the latest Mario.” So that means I miss some. But there was no way I was going to miss this one. It’s also because of this that I may not catch every reference to older games so forgive me if I act like something is new when it isn’t.

                And I’m so glad I didn’t choose to ignore it, because it’s easily within the top three of all Mario games for me. Maybe it’s blasphemy that Super Mario 64 isn’t in my top three, but Super Mario 3D World joins the likes of Super Mario World and Mario 3, with honourable mention to Mario 2 and yes, Super Mario 64.

                Nintendo didn’t give us a completely new experience, but instead decided to jam everything Mario into one title. There are references to the other games all over the place, and while that may not sound as appealing to some people – considering some people hate the fact that Nintendo “milks” the Mario franchise – as it does others, it’s a positive in my book, because not only did they show old fans love, but they did include some awesome ideas like the cat suit. Who doesn’t love the cat suit, with how adorable the characters look walking around on all fours? Not to mention that you need it to get a fair share of the stars and whatnot in the game.

                Mario will always have that Mario charm. It’s undeniable, and it’s one of the reasons he is so loved in this world. Mario is a legend and it’s hard to deny that. Some Nintendo haters like to play Mario down like he’s overrated, but I think they’d be overjoyed if Nintendo stopped making consoles and just made games for their system of choice.

                Having so many Mario games can be a little much if they don’t do anything great with the IP, but when the Mario games are on point, they’re the best platformers of their kind in the entire world. Super Mario 3D World is on point with fascinating and genius level design that offers different and often intense experiences in each world.

                Super Mario 3D World does a glorious job of giving you classic platforming but Nintendo threw in levels that make you sit back and just say, “Wow, that was cool.” An example of this are the music based levels which provide a nice break and something refreshing. The game offers a lot of variety, be it speed runs for stars, the musical blocks, the racing levels or just the way they switch everything up. Instead of letting you feel safe and allowing everything to seem familiar, even late in the game they include things that you haven’t yet seen in the game. You never really know what you’re going to get from level to level. From beginning to end, it’s exciting, and they top it all off by having an intense and amazing final level/boss battle. It’s because of this blend of new and old, and this mixture, that the game is one of the most fun games of the year.

                I have to gush a little over the music because it’s tremendous. Yes, there are re-workings of old songs, and they are incredible. There are new tunes, and they are just as good. Even from the main menu, the music just works and puts you in the mood. My personal favourite is the Ghost House music, which is tragic and eerie, like y’know, a Ghost House should be. I know this is a short paragraph because I don’t want to go into every single song and all the intricacies, but the soundtrack is so, so good.

The game is extremely polished, and even the little things add to the experience. I know that the way it uses community, with the drawn pictures and whatnot, isn’t a new thing. It was in the last Wii U Mario game, and I loved it then like I love it now. It’s a joy seeing Miis standing around to “talk” to and having them present you with whatever the player wanted to draw. Then there are the Ghost Miis that are in levels if you go back and revisit them, which allow you to see how other people played the game. My friend made fun of my Mario skills on Facebook randomly one day.

It’s a small, but nice little touch, that the music muffles when you’re in water. It isn’t something that should get a lot of attention but it’s neat that it’s there.

                Or the fact that Nintendo does an outstanding job of balancing difficulty. Some levels are just hard. Some levels only get hard when you want to get all three stars. If you’re a completionist then I’m sure there will be moments that have you pulling your hair out. However, Nintendo is for the children (to quote ODB), and if you are having a difficult time getting through a level, they’ll throw you a bone and give you a power-up that makes you invincible, except for falling in holes.

Which brings me to the multiplayer. It’s not original, but it’s back. You play as one of four characters (it makes me happy that at one point Mario 2 was seen as the bastard son, but now the characters are openly influenced by that one in particular), and playing with a friend or three makes the game significantly harder. But it’s fun. The game somehow makes you want to work together but be competitive. Sure, you want everyone to get through because it eats up lives if one of you die, but at the same time, you need to fight for points (in which you get a crown no less), and it ends up becoming a matter of “screw you, I’m out,” as you watch your friend fall to his death. Some have criticized the camera, but it was never a huge problem for me. Maybe a minor issue here and there, but nothing worth kicking up a stink about.

Another negative I’ve seen in reviews is that the game doesn’t use the Gamepad as well as it should. I get the argument… Mario is a killer app and you would think they would have used Mario to show what the Wii U is capable of. They don’t really do this, outside of a few levels here and there where you use the touch-screen or blow into it. I suppose if you look at it that way, it’s a little disappointing. I think it’s more that they are smart enough not to force something in that doesn’t work. I don’t think Mario is the game to show that off. I think a Zelda or a Metroid is more likely to do so. I see the brief usage of the features on the gamepad as more of a welcome swerve here and there.

Again, it’s the care that they put into the whole experience that makes Nintendo the developers that they are. At their best, and I know I sound like a fanboy, they understand games perfectly. I can’t help it, once in a while something comes along that just has me smiling the whole time (like the most recent Muppets movie), so I can’t help but say it’s one of the best games of the year.