New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo DS)

This newest version pays homage to its roots but extends the license in new, exciting ways. Our kid testers, both seasoned players and those new to the license, loved it. The game offers a variety of modes, a range of environments, and plenty of secrets to unlock.

Teen testers enjoyed the retro feel of the game and reveled in the unique play elements. New to this handheld version is a Mega Mushroom that makes Mario grow so big that he barely fits on the screen, and a Mini Mushroom that makes Mario so tiny and light that he can fit through pipes, walk on water, and do floating jumps. Players also liked exploring Mario's ability to jump off walls and his super bounce, which allows him to pound the ground from above to attack baddies or break through objects.