In today’s post, Mario, Mario, and Mario.

You know how things work here, so let’s get started. Today, we have three Mario games (woah!) as well as a few games who are just celebrating their November anniversaries!

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: November 13, 2011

Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS

Super Mario 3D Land is a fantastic game, and easily one of the best on 3DS. The game has no gimmicks; it’s just straight-up pure platforming action. That’s part of the reason why I love it so much; SM3DL represents the best of simply Mario. With shorter, more bite-sized levels than the grandiose Super Mario Galaxy games, yet equally as creative level design as its console counterparts, 3D Land is the perfect Mario game on the go, utilizing the Nintendo 3DS’ stereoscopic 3D capabilities to enhance gameplay. It’s an all-around fun and action-packed package, and one that every 3DS owner should own.

You can read my review for Super Mario 3D Land here.

Super Mario 3D Land also gets the honor of “Best Nintendo 3DS Game”.

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: November 14, 2005

Platform(s): Nintendo DS

Hours of my life have been spent wasting away at Mario Kart, and Mario Kart DS represents the biggest jump forward in the Mario Kart franchise yet. For the first time ever, players can link together with up to seven other people and play some fantastic Mario karting action. Some games can be fun, but Mario Kart DS seemed designed solely to be just that. Each track was fresh and unique, and the upgraded battle mode could last a five hour bus trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back (seriously, I did that). Mario Kart DS is easily the best game on DS, and the perfect party game on the go.

Mario Kart DS also gets the honor of “Best Nintendo DS Game”.

Developer: SCE Japan Studio

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan

Release Date: June 30, 2003

Platform(s): PlayStation 2

Sony had the right idea when it came to the first Ape Escape, it being the first game to require a DualShock controller. When the PlayStation 2 rolled around, they decided to up the ante a bit and bring about one of the most creative platformers around. It took the basic formula of the original Ape Escape and added a whole new level of polish, humor, and pure fun. New gadgets gave players new ways to play the game, and the introduction of The Freaky Monkey Five… well, let’s just say the Freaky Monkey Five are amazing. Overall, Ape Escape 2 felt like a very substantial upgrade to the original Ape Escape, and the amount of humor and creativity oozing from this title makes it almost impossible to stop smiling while you’re playing.

Developer: Volition, Inc.

Publisher: THQ

Release Date: November 15, 2011

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

If you hate Grand Theft Auto because it takes itself almost too seriously, you should totally try Saint’s Row: The Third. As an active gang member of the quickly dissipating Saints, it’s your job to bring the Saint’s name back to the forefront of Steelport. And how do you do it? Let’s just say this isn't your typical open-world game. Like, at all. That’s why it’s so much fun; instead of trying to ground itself to reality, Saint’s Row: The Third tries its best to defy all expectations with a mash-up of pop culture references, parodies, and ridiculous rip-offs. Expect to be laughing your way throughout the entirety of this game, both at its cleverly-written script, and at just how ridiculously good this game is designed to be simply fun.

Developer: Nintendo EAD

Publisher: Nintendo

Release Date: November 15, 2009

Platform(s): Wii

I get a lot of hate for loving this game so much, but New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a natural evolution to one of the greatest gaming franchises of all time. A lot of people knock on it for being more of the same, but I just don’t see it. The original NSMB was fine and dandy, but NSMB Wii added to it with massively more expansive and creative level design, better graphics, an improved world map, new music (gasp!), and one of the most exhilarating final boss battles ever created. Don’t say you don’t know what I’m talking about, because it’s true. And let’s not forget NSMB Wii’s greatest, innovation: 4-player co-op. Some may call it chaotic, but I call it chaotically fun. It’s the best new feature to come to Mario since the introduction of the interconnected world maps in Super Mario World, and it’s hands down the best game available on Wii.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii also gets the honor of “Best Wii Game”.

Well, I’m done with that! Check back tomorrow for the beginning of my top 10 games of all time!

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