Play New Super Mario Bros. (j) Online

I first played New Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS back in 2006. It was developed and published by Nintendo, arriving at a time when the DS was full of inventive touch screen games. This one felt like a deliberate return to Mario's 2D roots, a straightforward platformer that didn't rely on gimmicks.

You control Mario, running and jumping through eight themed worlds to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. The levels are designed for screen by screen exploration, often hiding secret exits that unlock new paths. Two mechanics define the experience: the Mega Mushroom, which lets you smash through entire sections of the level as a giant, and the Mini Mushroom, which shrinks Mario so he can access tiny pipes and run on water. The pacing is brisk, with early worlds offering a gentle challenge that steadily builds toward more demanding platforming in the later castles and ghost houses. It feels like a comfortable, well made game that respects your time and skill.