Super Mario Bros.

The Good
It is the father of them all, little younger than I, and the first videogame I played. If I had to explain its appeal, I would put it down to colourful and tangible-looking graphics, catchy music (who can't hum the music of at least the first two levels?), great sound effects, but above all incredibly fast-paced and addictive gameplay. Whether you are climbing stairs, jumping to moving Meccano-like platforms in the underground, or swimming almost unrestricted in the underwater level, you will enjoy yourself. The mushrooms that make you grow and flowers that give you the power to shoot fireballs are nice touches.

The monsters are quite remarkable. Goombas, turtles (some with wings!), carnivorous plants... no wonder this game captivated me.

The castle levels are a treat in themselves. Bowser is pretty terrifying, there is lava, and, well, "Your princess is in another castle" has to be one of the most seminal videogame lines. Of course, everything about "Super Mario Bros." is seminal.

The learning curve is very good: the first level is simple, but in later levels, abysses and similar features increase the danger. Regularly timed platforms and monsters mean that the player needs strategic thinking as well as quick reflexes.

After winning, the player gets the option to play again from the start with slightly improved monsters, which is an excellent idea.

And of course, for me at least, this game has the indescribable glamour of being the first ever.

The Bad
Nothing is perfect, and the "Super Mario Bros." series had quite a few things to improve in subsequent issues. For example, the gameplay is very simple. The times when the player needs to think further than just "when is the right time to jump?" are thin on the ground.

The fact that you can't walk back is rather frustrating. Level design also gets a bit samey towards the end.

The Bottom Line
Chances are, if you started playing videogames in the late 1980s, you've played "Super Mario Bros." In that case, I don't need to convince you how good it is.

If you haven't, then what are you waiting for?

The Good
Wow, where do I begin. Super Mario Brothers is definitely one of the greatest games of all time and it spawned an ever-growing collection of games. The original is always the best, as we all know, and there's no exception for this game. From World 1-1 to 8-4, you'll have fun all the way. Super Mario Bros. is an excellent game. The gameplay is rocking, the sound is rocking, the graphics are rocking (for it's time of course), everything is rocking! Of course it has its flaws but I'll get to that later. What game doesn't? Anyway, this game is an amazing game in which you play the role of, guess who, Mario! Who would've thought? You have to kill the mushrooms and turtles and collect as many coins as you can, and get to the end, all within the time limit. Face Bowser, Koopa, whatever, in countless battles over and over again. Beat the game and rescue the princess from doom! This game is truly amazing. And it even comes with Duck Hunt! Quack!

The Bad
There are a few things I don't like about this game, small and strange as they may be. I didn't really like the fact that you can't back-track to earlier sections of the course. Sometimes I'll jump to get something and then I can't go back to get it. Oh well. Also, this is just me, but I don't like the fact that it counts the seconds way to fast. I don't know, I guess I'm just weird. That's about it.

The Bottom Line
Super Mario Bros. is the game that started it all, one game to rule them all, one of the greatest games ever, the top dog, the lead man, the best, the head bull, the alpha-male, and all of those other stupid names. It's a great game where you play Mario and have to rescue the princess from sure doom. It's one of the most original games and overall, it's awesome. Three thumbs up and Six stars!

The Good
--> Simple, colorful, but effective graphics

--> Great music and sound effects (yeah, I know it's the NES, but what true gamer doesn't find themselves humming the SMB theme now and again?)

--> Great level design

--> Simple, fun gameplay, entertaining even to the day in the fact that it is simple and challenging simultaneously

--> Was revolutionary when released, nobody had ever witnessed anything like it, helped put Nintendo on the map

The Bad
umm.....hmm....can't say there is anything I don't like, a classic even to this day. If you haven't played this game you must have lived under a rock for your entire life, everybody and their sister has beaten this title at least once it seems.

The Bottom Line
A simple to control platform game that remains entertaining today, and served as the predecessor to a certain high speed hedgehog, tie-wearing ape, and countless others.