#1 - MARIO: He's sure to make you Merry!!!

 



'It's a me... Mario!' We've all heard those words countless times, but they never seem to get old. You can always count on Mario to unleash a ton of videogame fun and this year's no different to any other. I mean, what would X-mas be like without Nintendo's portly platforming plumber? It just wouldn't be the same! And there's nothing better than the family getting together, gathering around the console, and whooping each others butt while all sorts of Mushroom Kingdom comedy ensues...

 

The 2012 holidays see Mario bigger, brighter, and more vibrant than ever with the release of Nintendo's new High Def console Wii U. As you'd expect, Mario is front and centre as the star of his own blockbuster SMB sequel, dubbed New Super Mario Bros. U and he's never looked better. Joined by his bro' Luigi and lots of familiar faces from the Mushroom Kingdom, this side-scrolling platformer delivers more family fun (the 5 way multiplayer is a total hoot) than a barrel of crazy monkeys. Forget about the Bored (only joking, I meant Board) Games of yesteryear and check out the way that future generations will get together for a night of wholesome family entertainment. Mario's platform adventuring never gets old, Guru guarantees it!

Mario also gets a look see in the awesomely brilliant Nintendo Land, the game which comes bundled with the Wii U. Designed to show off the funky new GamePad Controller, this is an exciting thrill ride through a Nintendo themed amusement park filled with fun attractions. Sporting 12 gaming activities under the hood - with everything from shoot 'em ups with Samus of Metroid fame, to a Donkey Kong crash course and a tour of Luigi's haunted house - you'll find Co-Op, Competitive, and Solo games that should hit the spot. Of course, almost all of Nintendo's characters make an appearance including Link, Yoshi, and those colourful interplanetary plant creatures - the Pikmin. Mario Chase is one of the coolest mini-games, which sees our heroic plumber in a frantic game of Tiggy with his mushroom mates the Toads. This is fast paced competitive gameplay that'll have everyone on the edge of their seats...

Finally, for those that want to take Mario away with them on their holiday travels there's Guru's personal fave Paper Mario: Sticker Star on 3DS. Paper Mario has always had a special place in Guru's heart, so it's little surprise that this one makes the cut. It's a great little platform adventure with a unique 'paper cut-out' style that has oodles and oodles of charm. The whole 'sticker' thing works a treat and gives the whole game a fresh spin. And if that doesn't sell 'ya on it - it's also in glorious 3D.

So there's not one, but three groove-a-delic reasons that Mario is one of the Gaming Kings of Christmas. Be sure to stay tuned and find out who's next... GG.