• Super Mario Bros.

• Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken

• Xevious

• Another World

• Metal Gear Solid

This list comes from a Yomiuri Newspaper article called "All About Kojima Hideo" dated June 11th. We haven't seen the full article (only that picture we found on a Yomiuri blog), and the English translation of Yomiuri article glosses over these five games and what they mean to him. From the pic we found, it certainly appears as though Kojima explained how they affected him.

Hide-and-seek with Hideo Kojima [Yoimuri]

Think I'll be passing, but you may find this a delicious prelude to your 4th of July game cake. Thanks to Nate for the tip.

"1UP Mushroom" Mushroom Burger [Instructables]

At $75, they aren't on the cheap side, but as I always say, you can't skimp on quality when it comes to wall stickers based on classic Nintendo characters. If you're looking for something less pricey, perhaps the Blik Space Invaders decals (only $45!) will scratch that video game sticker itch.

Nintendo Wall Graphics [blik]

pseuderanthemum incendia (fire flower) [Etsy, via Tanooki]

We're eventually going to get to the point where someone recreates the Old Testament as Klingon musical theater in Unreal Tournament 3, but until then, we'll have to settle for custom characters and UT2D gameplay mods and user-generated content like this Super Mario Bros. style map. If only we could add mods to cancer research or something. The cure would be on the internet with a Creative Commons license by the weekend.

UT2D-SuperMario_Beta [PC/PS3] [Epic Forums - thanks, Samuraidino!]

Super Mario in 14kB Javascript [nihilogic]

Super Mario Mushroom Drum Pads for Rock Band [Behold the Mundane - thanks, Alexandre!]

7 Video Game Currencies Stronger Than the U.S. Dollar [Maxim]

A supercute corset made from alternating RARE & vintage Super Mario Brothers and red & white polka dot print fabric, topped off with bias tape flanking the bodice, a delicate sweetheart-shaped bustline, two polka dot ribbon bows, crude contrast stitching and silver metal grommets in the back so you can lace up! FULLY boned for support.

Super Mario Bros. Corset [Etsy via Technabob via Shiny Shiny]

Square Enix has made no such announcements about such a game, but its recently filed trademark for Party Castle certainly makes us think it may have sights set on an English port. Everyone knows "party" translates to "dice-rolling board game" in Nintendo-speak. Plus, Itadaki Street DS has no shortage of castles. Conjecture? Totally. That's why we're getting in touch with Square Enix to learn more about what this new trademark means. (Pray it's not a mobile game!)

Party Castle Trademark [USPTO]

Video Game Party Decor [SGA Creative's Flickr gallery]
[via The Tanooki]

That bit on the right? It's the alternate version of the stage that appears randomly, a 3D take on World 1-2 from the same game. Who knew we'd get so turned on by a torch nestled under some polygonal bricks?

Mushroomy Kingdom [Smash Bros. Dojo]

The sound track is provided by Vocaloid software.

Chain Chomp Hat [Knitting Ninja - thanks, Motha!]

I was at a friend's home in the vast apartment wasteland that is North Seoul, when suddenly I heard the faint sound of someone playing a most familiar tune on piano: the SMB theme. It certainly isn't out of the ordinary to hear the reverberation of kids playing piano in Korean apartment buildings, but this was a first for me.

Upon asking, I was informed that learning the Mario theme in piano lessons has recently become a big thing among kids, a nice diversion from the boring numbers they generally have to trudge through. This may be minor anecdotal evidence, but it's still more proof that Nintendo and its DS are making a real impression upon Korean kids, a neat thing to witness firsthand in a place where the company virtually didn't exist a year ago.

What may have seemed like a 90-minute commercial written by Nintendo suits may have actually been a different story. Seems that the Big N was at the movie studio's beck and call, hopping to whenever the director needed Super Mario Bros. 3 footage or a backup Power Glove. Also, I didn't know Tobey Maguire made an appearance!

You really do learn something new everyday. Unfortunately, today it's about The Wizard.

Monki talks with Todd Holland, director of The Wizard! [AICN]

Those really harsh Super Mario mods are bad enough, but this one goes out of its way to use all of that knowledge learned at the hand of the originals to torment gamers. I could probably take everything but the nastiness that happens at the flag pole, that's just plain wrong.

More detailed pics of these fine pastries at the Flickr photostream.

Super Mario Cupcakes [Flickr - thanks, AxleMunshine!]

The best part about opting for a video game themed halftime show is that it's going to be performed by band nerds. These kids probably know "Yoshi's Theme" better than any other cross section on campus. The above performance, from the recent UC Berkeley versus Washington State football contest features tunes and bitmap band formations from Tetris, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario World, Mortal Kombat and more. They seem to get a little winded at parts, understandably, but it's a solid performance nonetheless.

Thanks to Christopher at the official Capcom blog for the link.

Anyone who has ever dreamed of owning a Donkey Kong 3 or Mach Rider t-shirt can stop asking why God has forsaken them. They're both at the Torrel online store right now.

Torrel By Nintendo Online [TorrelTorrel]

WII-KLY UPDATE: GREATEST GAME EVER ANNOUNCED FOR WII SHOP CHANNEL

Eagerly awaiting the arrival of Super Mario Galaxy™ next week? Can't get Mario™ out of your head? You and everybody else! To whet your appetite for all things Mario, Nintendo is offering a special treat on the Virtual Console™ this week. It's not just any game, it's Super Mario Bros. 3™ - considered by many to be the greatest video game of all time (for at least one more week, anyway). It's a must-have title on a week that also features the first Virtual Console import title for Sega Genesis and a fun multiplayer golf game for TurboGrafx16.

Today Nintendo adds three new classic games to the popular Wii™ video game system's Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased via the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Remember when no one had ever heard of a Tanooki Suit or knew that Bowser™ had a clan of Koopalings? The game that made these things common knowledge is also considered by many to be one of the best ever made. Bowser and the Koopalings are causing chaos yet again, but this time they're going beyond the Mushroom Kingdom into the seven worlds that neighbor it. Now Mario and Luigi™ must battle new enemies, returning favorites and a new Koopaling in each unique and distinctive world on their way to ultimately taking on Bowser himself. Luckily for the brothers, they have more power-ups available than ever before. Fly above the action using the Super Leaf, swim faster by donning the Frog Suit or defeat enemies using the Hammer Bros. Suit. Use the brand-new overworld map to take the chance to play a minigame in hopes of gaining extra lives or to find a Toad's House where you can pick up additional items. All this (and more) combines into one of gaming's most well-known and beloved titles—are you ready to experience gaming bliss?

Alien Soldier™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older -Fantasy Violence, 900 Wii Points): As Epsilon-Eagle, you are an alien soldier who has been genetically engineered to produce maximum intelligence and strength. You were once a member of the criminal organization Scarlet, but when you decided to break from the group, you were forced into a showdown with Scarlet's new leader Xi-Tiger, who kills a hostage in his attempt to destroy you. Now it's up to you to take revenge against the bad guys in this side-scrolling action game! Choose from six different weapons and battle the bosses of Scarlet until you reach the final confrontation with the ultimate secret weapon!

Power Golf (TurboGrafx16, 1-3 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Power Golf sports a perfect combination of simple-yet-realistic controls and beautiful graphics. Swing away on 18 lush holes in one of three different game modes: the single-player STROKE PLAY mode and the multiplayer MATCH PLAY and COMPETITION modes. Enter tournaments as one of three different characters—beginner, intermediate and advanced. Wind strength and the slope of the green add extra challenges to each hole. Compete against other players in the standard NORMAL MATCH or ante up one of your clubs in the unique CLUB MATCH. Up to three players can play in COMPETITION mode, and a handicap feature is included to help novice players pull off breathtaking shots just like their advanced rivals.

The list of downloadable games is updated weekly on Nintendo's Online Press Room. For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

This Mega64 clip, I swear I've seen it before. Maybe it was shown at the Game Developers Conference earlier this year, maybe it sneaked online at some point prior, or maybe I have some pre-cognitive ability to know the details of Mega64 comedy bits. Regardless, it's something the creators of this clip have labeled as new and it's Kuribo's Shoe, something I've always been fascinated by for some inexplicable reason. Please, won't you watch?

Shots of the first line taken at the MAGIC trade show in Vegas are available at the official site, as are details on the Nintendo World Store launch party. Go ahead. Look. It will either A. be right up your alley or B. make you pine for a label like The King of Games that knows the definition of "understated."

Nintendo By Torrel

UPDATE: Clear pics of Nintendo by Torrel after the jump, courtesy of Torrel himself.

Not quite sure why the underwater level is hovering over world 1-1... but who are we to nitpick something this tasty and gorgeous?

While cake may genuinely be my favorite thing to ingest, alcohol may come a close second. That's why I was doubly impressed to see the wedding's ice luge.

Yes, that's the Master Sword and Hylien Shield from The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time delivering ice cold vodka to wedding invitees. Could anything be more perfect?

Those in the SoCal area who are interested in achieving this level of nerd-cool at their next social gathering will be happy to know that Cory plugged the creators of both. Professional cake maker Erica Obrien was responsible for the Mario creation, with Union Ice doing their best to get everyone drunk at freezing temperatures.

Thanks a bunch, Cory!

WII-KLY UPDATE: TWO NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

Oct. 1, 2007

This is a special week on the Wii Shop Channel. Frankly, it's a gamer's dream come true: Nintendo is launching the new Import genre with the release of two games that previously have never been available in the Western Hemisphere on their original platforms. The first will be hugely popular with Mario fans, who will love reliving the style of his classic games as they encounter new skills, new levels and new dangers. Nintendo 64 enthusiasts also get a masterpiece of the shooter genre and perhaps the best game never released outside of Japan. Welcome to Import Week for the Wii Shop Channel!

The two new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii� owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points� to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels� (NES, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Originally released in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2, this game has previously made only brief cameo appearances in the Western Hemisphere. Now available on the Virtual Console in all of its original splendor, Mario fans will appreciate the familiar look and feel of the game, while finding that its updated game play creates an entirely new challenge. No longer content just to wear different-colored overalls, Mario and Luigi also possess different skill sets: Mario can stop quicker, while Luigi can jump higher. In addition to the classic enemies already known to fans worldwide, there are also Poison Mushrooms, backward Warp Zones, and the occasional wind gust (which can help or hinder your progress) to take into account. And if that's somehow not enough, expert players can go looking for the game's secret worlds. So get ready to put your Mario skills to the ultimate test, and save the Princess again. Just don't be surprised if she's in another castle.

Sin & Punishment (Nintendo 64, 1-2 players, rated T for Teen Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, 1,200 Wii Points): Created by the legendary development studio Treasure, this is a game that hard-core gamers and fans of Japanese imports recognize as one of the finest Nintendo 64 titles to have never previously reached North American shores. Its unique combination of English voice-overs with Japanese subtitles (preserved in this version) has only added to the enthusiasm for its eventual release here. Experience the frenetic pace of a classic shooter, while choosing from a variety of options and a number of different skill levels until you are ready to take on the full-blown challenge of Turbo Hard mode. Not to be outdone by the action, however, the intriguing story line gives the game its soul and draws you even further into the mix. Set in the near future, on an overpopulated Earth starved for resources, players uncover the intriguing mystery of two teenagers (Saki and Airan) and their battle against the Ruffians as they advance through level after level of nonstop action. Take a deep breath, gather your energy and prepare to see why this game is so highly praised.

While Wii injury jokes abound, the rest of the game is filled with PETA-caliber serious messages. You'll trounce disembodied Colonel Sanders heads attached to robotic legs, eat tofu (natch) to double your size, and face many bloody buckets of death. It's a quick romp, one that's surprisingly well designed.

For those who tire of the infantile, pre-programmed, anti-PETA comments sure to come, there are five levels of chicken platforming awaiting you. Enjoy!

Super Chick Sisters [PETA - thanks, Neoness!]

My original focus was on accurately recreating a scene from the level to scale rather than model complexity.

The Adventures Of Super Mario Bros 3 ran a brief 26 episodes (or 13 double episodes, if you prefer) and features a bizarre Milli Vanilli guest appearance in a journey outside of the Mushroom Kingdom. That appearance, sadly edited to remove Rob and Fab's hit "Blame It On The Rain" can be seen on YouTube if you don't feel like ponying up the $29.99 for the DVDs.

Thanks for the heads up, Derrick!

The Adventures Of Super Mario Bros 3: The Complete Series [Shout! Factory]

Ashcraft posted about Japan's Amazing DIY Famicom Guitar back in February, but we've just caught wind of someone actually playing the thing. How's the wind? Not that great apparently, but maybe it's just this unimpressive rendition of the Super Mario Bros. theme stinking up the place. Or maybe Famicom inspired guitars are just best left on their stands. Michael McWhertor

Who knew that Tesla coils could produce music? Answer: not me. This two man electrical band is capable of regurgitating blippy NES era music not only from Super Mario Bros. but Tetris and Gargoyle's Quest as well. While some may charge The Geek Group with overstaying their YouTube welcome with a shocking number of videos of similar tunes, I found the whole thing very en-lightning. I think I'm suffering from a pun overdose. Gonna go throw up now.

Thanks for the heads up, Scott. Michael McWhertor

Bill O'Reilly wasn't always a blithering idiot. No, wait. He probably always was, but we didn't know it! Way back before he called gamers "prisoners of machines," he hosted fluff news show Inside Edition. In the late 80's clip above, people on the street are asked if they know what Nintendo is or who the Mario Bros. are. Now that's hard hitting journalism! The clip is actually refreshing in comparison to how present day TV blowhards like O'Reilly often portray gaming and does feature some hot hot Super Mario Bros tips from a mullet headed "Game-Play" Counselor. Brian Ashcraft

Thanks, Josh!

Apparently, the horrid American television program America's Got Talent has a Swedish equivalent titled Talang 2007. Just like the US version, regular Joes and Janes can acheive 15 seconds of reality television fame by performing stage shows demonstrating their questionable talents. Take "Slowmotion" Phax Ahamada, for example, whose talent is channeling his inner Mario in half-time with a bit of poppin' and lockin' thrown in for good measure. The judges are split, but the audience eats it up like a plate of steaming köttbullar.

Thanks for the heads up, Thanius. Say, is all Swedish television this shitty or just the stuff co-developed by Simon Cowell? Michael McWhertor