New Super Mario Bros. Wii

My copy of New Super Mario Bros. Wii gathered dust on my shelf for the better part of a year, its bright red case practically screaming "Play me!" each time I'd catch a glance at all the unplayed games in my collection that I just put off for some reason or another.

But what are summers for if not catching up on one's hobbies, yes?

All in all, it took about four days to have a go at this sequel to the acclaimed Nintendo DS darling: two to play through the game with my brother (good thing there are warp cannons!) and another two to complete the star coins on my own (it's arguably easier to do so alone). The verdict: it's probably one of the harder Mario games I've ever played, but it's also one of the best looking and most fun.

Like its small-screen predecessor, New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a welcome throwback to the series' sidescrolling origins, an homage to the best Mario games that also introduces nifty gimmicks (helicopter helmet!) and new gameplay mechanics (cooperative/competitive multiplayer!). In fact, I'd say that the game brings together the best parts of Super Mario Bros. 3 -- airships...definitely the airships -- and Super Mario World -- Yoshi, the Star Road, and the castles with Koopa siblings come to mind -- for fans to explore and enjoy to their heart's content.

Granted, the game isn't perfect. Among its main faults: lack of Wii classic controller support; how cooperative multiplayer can actually make the game harder rather than easier; powerups such as the ice flower, Penguin suit and mini mushroom that don't add too much to the gameplay experience. But notwithstanding these, New Super Mario Bros. Wii simply pushes many more of the right buttons to be a must-own title for the Wii.

And it comes in a bright red case.

(I definitely should have played it sooner.)