It’sa me! Mike!…Alright, that was lame. We’re off to a rocky start here. Let me pull myself together.

Hey there, Outcasts! This is a new blog segment I’m trying out. Since finishing school, I’m noticing that the time I used to spend doing homework (and sleeping) I’m now spending working, watching movies and playing games. Working aside, some of these things are good enough to warrant me spending my time writing about! This is where Mike Reviews comes into play. Each week, I’m going to review one game/movie/TV Show/whatever that I feel is necessary to review. I guess the title is pretty self explanatory. Nonetheless, this week we’re reviewing one heck of a game:

Mario has had quite the track record over the past few years. It goes without saying, however, that he’s had a few flops. Remember all of those trips to the Olympics he took with Sonic? I can safely assure you that this installment in the Mushroom Kingdom Collection is one of the best.

The story is obvious, The Koopalings have kidnapped Princess Peach. Shocked? Neither was I. Let’s be honest though. Who really plays Mario for it’s roller coaster-like plot filled with all sorts of emotions. What’s important lies in the age old question: Is it fun?

New Super Mario Bros 2 is one of the most addicting games I’ve played in years. The formula of New Super Mario Bros 2 hasn’t changed much from even the original Super Mario Bros. The goal of each level is to get from point A to point B. Considering it’s 2012, the sidescroller has been used and used again, but the New Super Mario Bros games (1 and 2 alike) add in that manic iOS game function that we all know and love. You know it, ready? Say it with me:

I MUST COLLECT EVERYTHING.

Each level in the game has three Star Coins. These coins can range from being relatively easy to collect all the way to rage-quittingly difficult. This is no different from the original New Super Mario Bros. however. What IS new, is the coin counter that you see after every level.

The game challenges you with one major task: Can you collect 1,000,000 coins?

Now, I don’t know what happens when you actually reach the million coins, but I can assure you one thing; I won’t be finding out any time soon. This game is quite long, with 8 main worlds (and several hidden worlds) it seems I’ll be playing this one for weeks.

From music to level design to graphics and humor, I give New Super Mario Bros 2 a BUY IT status.

Disclaimer: I played this on the 3DS, from what I understand the Wii version is basically the same game with different levels. I think it’s safe to assume that the Wii version will be just as great.

Now back to playing, this level is ridiculous and my OCD is kicking in. Good thing I have like…200 lives.