We're looking for new writers to join us!

Celebrate Mario's birthday with two new games

by: Sean Colleli -
More On: Nintendo DS Lite
During the September anniversary of Nintendo's rotund red-clad mascot, two new Mario-starring DS games will hit the market.  Mario Hoops 3-on-3 is the first basketball game featuring Mario's extended family of characters, and was developed Square-Enix.  Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis is the sequel to the GBA game, and remixes a lot of old-school Nintendo lore for a new adventure that rekindles the old rivalry between the plumber and the ape.  Keep an eye out for these two--september is turning into a big month for Mario and the DS.
What birthday gift do you give the
video game icon who has everything?  In September, Nintendo superstar 
Mario(TM) celebrates his birthday; in his honor, Nintendo releases two new 
Mario games for Nintendo DS(TM).  Incidentally, Mario isn't revealing his 
exact age, but let's just say he's been around the block -- and through the 
pipe -- a few times.
    (Logo:   http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050516/NINTENDODSLOGO )
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060906/LAW047-a
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060906/LAW047-b )
    On Sept. 13, Mario(TM) Hoops 3-on-3 brings a fast-moving basketball game 
to the Nintendo DS hand-held gaming system with all the crazy power-ups 
players have come to expect from Mario sports games.  Two weeks later, Mario's 
longtime nemesis, Donkey Kong(R), causes trouble again in Mario vs. Donkey 
Kong(TM) 2: March of the Minis, a game complete with a special appearance by 
Mario's first love, Pauline.
    "Like Mario himself, Nintendo DS keeps going strong," says George 
Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and 
corporate communications.  "Our September releases kick off a flurry of great 
DS games that continues through the holiday season.  Happy birthday, boss."
    Mario Hoops 3-on-3 puts the ball back in players' hands.  Using the stylus 
and touch screen of Nintendo DS, players can execute special passes and cool 
dribbles as they play through tournaments to unlock new characters, courts and 
features.  It's regular three-on-three basketball, with the crazy Nintendo 
twist of stars and shells that players can use against their opponents.  Best 
of all, each character has his or her own signature move that players execute 
by tapping out a special symbol on the touch screen twice.  Watch out for huge 
dunks and alley-oops.
    Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis brings Mario's original 
nemesis back in contact with his first love.  Pauline, the original heroine 
from the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game, makes her triumphant return after
25 years in retirement.  And just as before, Donkey Kong goes nuts and kidnaps 
her.  But this time, it's up to a legion of Mini Mario toys to save the day.  
Players use the touch screen to guide the Mini Marios as they make their way 
to the top of an amusement park to rescue Pauline.  Players can design their 
own level maps and share them with others via Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection, 
Nintendo's wireless gaming service.
    Mario Hoops 3-on-3, Rated E for Everyone, will be available at retail 
Sept. 13.  For more information about the game, visit www.mariohoops.com
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Rated E for Everyone, launches 
Sept. 27.  For more information about the game, visit www.mariovsdk.com.
 
    The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, 
Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and 
software for its Nintendo DS(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance and Nintendo 
GameCube(TM) systems, and upcoming Wii(TM) console.  Since 1983, Nintendo has 
sold nearly 2.2 billion video games and more than 375 million hardware units 
globally, and has created industry icons like Mario(TM), Donkey Kong(R), 
Metroid(R), Zelda(TM) and Pokemon(R).  A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of 
America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's 
operations in the Western Hemisphere.  For more information about Nintendo, 
visit the company's Web site at www.nintendo.com