In biology, saltation is the theory that evolution occurs in leaps and bounds. In video games, this theory was proved true when Mario warped from the side-scrolling Super Mario World to the fully 3-D kingdom of Super Mario 64. Ten years later, Nintendo is giving us the missing link with New Super Mario Bros., a modern side-scrolling platformer so brilliantly executed, it practically offers proof of the divine as well. So this title is an example of intelligent design in more ways than one.
The game revisits a formula that couldn't be beat back when a controller only had six buttons and a D-pad. But it enhances the experience with stunning new graphics and a few moves borrowed from Mario's 3-D adventures, so saving the princess, yet again, is more fun than ever. And when you hit that level-ending flagpole and the fireworks go off, you might even feel compelled to dust off your NES and revisit the series' roots.
In a time when leaps and bounds in technology are encouraging developers to rush to reinvent interactive entertainment, it's nice to have a game that reminds us not only of how fun video games already are, but how fun video games have always been.
OUTRUN 2006: COAST TO COAST by sega (3 stars)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox.
Rated: E.
OutRun is the anti-Gran Turismo. It's pure arcade-style racing, where you can conceivably play to the final finish line without knowing which button works the brakes. If you do find the brakes, you can practically drift through the whole race. But if you're a fan of over-the-top physics, and you like a pretty girl in the passenger seat, this title's as good as OutRun 2. In fact, this could be OutRun 2.
METAL SAGA by atlus (4.5 stars)
Platform: PlayStation 2.
Rated: T.
Metal Saga creates what is perhaps the weirdest post-apocalyptic world this side of Thunderdome. You'll encounter oddball characters who speak in Nirvana lyrics or remind you you're in an RPG by outright suggesting you level up more. It'd be a fun world to explore if it gave you anything to do, but your agenda is to hunt, earn money, upgrade your Mad Max vehicle, repeat.
LOST MAGIC by ubisoft (3 stars)
Platform: Nintendo DS.
Rated: E.
This nifty little RPG/real-time strategy game lets you use the stylus as a magic wand. By drawing different symbols, you activate different attack spells, which you can use to destroy and sometimes capture an assortment of monsters. Unfortunately, the game requires a certain amount of trial and error, so some of those drawings may become maddeningly familiar.
Matthew Scott Hunter has been known to mumble, "Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start" in his sleep. E-mail him at
[email protected].