The Confused Neuron

Tonight Braeden and I got a little Wii time in before bedtime.  Did we play one of the new Wii games we got for Christmas?  Nope. We played 1988’s Super Mario Bros 3.  Vintage Mario Bros with Warp Whistles, and Raccoons galore.  Now, there is something to be said for the latest offerings of the video game world, but for a time say, 22 years ago, Mario Bros 3 was what it was about.  I remembered bugging my Mom with no end until we got to Toys ‘R Us to grab the little tag for the game and take it to the window where they exchanged it for the game itself.  Of course, what did I do when I got home?  I opened it and got out the instruction booklet and read it.  Yes, I read the instruction book.  Not because I didn’t know how to play but because I wanted to know what the names of all the new baddies were and what new power ups were in the game and of course I was pleasantly surprised.  My sister and I played that game until we had beaten it, and then we played it some more.

With the ability to download various classic NES titles for the Wii now, we’ve been able to enjoy playing our favorites again plus introduce them to the next generation.  Brae wanted to play Wii tonight and he decided to pick an old school Mario game, so I was more than happy to go along since I find the New Super Mario Bros Wii game INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING for a couple reasons I’ll list in another post.  Anyway, we started out doing very well.  Went through the first few levels in world 1, picked up a couple warp whistles and went off to Giant World (World 4).   Breezed through the first two levels and then…..World 4-3.  The one where you’re introduced to the giant Hammer Brothers.  You remember.  The ones that shake the ground when they land rendering you immobile for a few seconds?  Yeah.  Couldn’t beat that world for a solid half hour.  I was ready to rip my hair out!  We seriously spent at least 25 lives combined trying to get past this level.  See, if I were 7 years old again, I would have aced that level in the second try.  Not any more though.  Apparently my 2D left-right scrolling game skills are on the rapid decline.  It made for a fun hour though.  At one point Brae gave me his controller and said “WILL YOU PLEASE BEAT THIS LEVEL!” and I STILL couldn’t do it.  It wasn’t until Christy came downstairs after putting Finn to sleep and Brae asked her to help me out that I actually beat the level.  There’s no way I’d let her look like she’s the better Mario Bros player!  Even after beating that level, we were running out of time before Brae had to go upstairs, so I used my second warp whistle to take us to World 7, Pipe World where Brae discovered those little white chomper plants will indeed kill you if you land on them.  We got to level 7-2 but then it was bed time.  Perhaps we’ll pick it up again later this week.

Super Mario Bros 3 is probably my favorite of all the SMB games specifically because of all the creative power ups they threw in the game, the Tanooki Suit that for some reason turned you into a stone statue, Frog Suit, Hammer Bros Suit, and the boot.  Who can forget the boot that allowed you to hop really high and stomp on your enemies?  Just thought I’d share that 22 years later, Super Mario Brothers is still providing tons of fun.  Even for a 6 year old and a soon to be 29 year old.  =)

And FYI:  A graphic of all the power ups Mario, Luigi & Crew have benefited from over the years: