New Super Mario Bros. on the DS is basically the classic Mario experience but with a fresh coat of paint—and it still holds up. You’re running, jumping, and stomping Goombas just like the old days, but now with smoother animations and some fun little twists, like the Mega Mushroom that turns Mario into a screen-filling wrecking ball. The levels feel familiar but throw in enough surprises to keep you on your toes.

What I love is how it nails that balance between being easy to pick up but still having those tricky spots where you’ll probably faceplant a few times before nailing the timing. The touchscreen stuff is minimal—mostly just for minigames—so it doesn’t feel gimmicky. And yeah, Peach gets kidnapped again, but honestly, at this point, it’s tradition. If you’ve got a soft spot for 2D Mario, this one’s a no-brainer.