Let's start with a sweeping generalization more true than not about game journalists: It's tough to review Mario games. Mario, his hapless brother Luigi, that incompetent Princess Peach, even mean ol' Bowser, they all hold a very special place in the hearts of many of us. More often than not, Mario is the inspiration for entering this field. You thought it was Edward R. Murrow? Did he ever break a brick with his head? 'Nuff said.

So one look at New Super Mario Bros. on Nintendo DS, with its 21st century take on the classic platformer, and it was on. Journalists started calling loved ones, writing blogs, leaping onto the street screaming the news: Finally, justice! New 2D Super Mario Bros. levels were coming. Eighty of them. The payback for the mediocrity of Super Mario Sunshine (wink, wink) was at last upon us! New Super Mario Bros. to the rescue!

Thankfully, I'm cocky enough to tell you I'm that rarest of game journalist that doesn't set my watch to Mushroom Kingdom Time (and yes, it is awful high on this pedestal). I can't deny the impact Mario games have had on my experience with video games in general. But, because of that, I tend to expect more from Nintendo and this review of New Super Mario Bros. may be more critical than the dozens that will be coming out over the next few weeks.

With that said, New Super Mario Bros. is the best Mario game in over a decade.

Just when you thought Nintendo used up all their Mario magic with the stellar Mario & Luigi series, they come back with an absolute stunner of a game. This is thanks to spot-on gameplay, an amazing new school take on this very classic genre, and, most importantly, innovation. It's not at all perfect, but it's destined to be a new classic.

Obligatory story paragraph: Princess gets kidnapped. This time by Bowser Jr. You're Mario, and you have to save the Princess by, you know, doing what Mario does. Break some boots upside assorted goombas, koopas, and yes, those dreaded cheep cheeps. Save her and you'll get a cake. Let's get on with it...

I hate starting reviews by talking about the graphics, but New Super Mario Bros. is drop-dead gorgeous. While the game is 2D, Mario and company are in breathtaking 3D. For this reason, the animation on the characters is super-fluid, from Mario doing his unique triple jump to a piranha plant turning limp after eating a well-time fireball.

And the detail! Case in point, you ingest one of the poison mushrooms new to the series, shrinking you down to a character about the size of a goomba's foot. Your eyes blink. Your little, tiny, insignificant one-pixel eyes blink. This is detail that's totally unnecessary, but it's great to see the care given to this title.

The graphical oomph of the game continues in amazing environments of the eight worlds in New Super Mario Bros.. Level elements such as platforms that bend and twist, zoom effects on characters (wait until you warp!), and the super-sized and mini Marios make this a stunning game on any platform. For example, some bonus sections of levels take you into the clouds and with each step you'll notice the cloud underneath you sinking just a little bit. Details like these add up to a great experience that really draws you in.

Last thing about the graphics that I'll mention: the backgrounds. As Mario dashes across the screen, you'll notice multiple layers of background giving this a depth that trumps any 2D Mario game before. The Nintendo DS is being used extremely well with New Super Mario Bros., making this the best looking game on the system yet.

I hear you. Yoshi's Story on N64 was pretty, too, and it ended up sucking big time.

This is where New Super Mario Bros. kicks it up to high gear. Eighty brand new levels spanning eight worlds. Multiple directions on the map, multiple paths on some of the levels. New items and powers for Mario, new and old enemies nipping at your heels. This is where New Super Mario Bros. shines.

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