New Super Mario Brothers: Preview

I don't know about you, but I grew up playing NES and SNES and Mario was a major part of my childhood. While I might have been too young to play the 1983 Mario Brothers arcade game, by 1985 I was more than capable of giving Super Mario Brothers a shot. I have many fond memories of Super Mario Brothers 1 & 3 for NES, Super Mario Land for Gameboy, and Super Mario World for SNES. Considering Nintendo's 2008 E3 presentation (it really sucked, didn't it?) imagine my excitement when New Super Mario Brothers for the Wii was presented in 2009!

I think the most exciting part of this game is that it can be played co-op! Up to four people can work together to get all the coins or you can choose to help your friends along to their deaths. While the screen zooms out as players spread out, the screen ultimately keeps up with the lead player. If a player does die they are brought back to life via a floating bubble. Just hope your friends like you enough to pop that bubble! While riding on Yoshi (Yes! He's back!!) players can eat and spit each other out. If you do want to play as a team, players will be able to use one another to reach hidden coins by riding on shoulders or even throwing each other.

Along with this new co-op play comes new levels and new suits. (Personally? I'll take that propeller suit over a cape any day!) While the game does have a new feel it is still everything we all love about "old school" Mario. You collect coins, find 1 Ups, and kill enemies by jumping on their heads. The best news? New Super Mario Brothers comes out November 2009!