Nintendo press release - Mario's bday and two new games

Mario Celebrates His Birthday With Two Great New Games

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.

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 after25 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.

Nintendo Press Release