New Super Mario Bros. on the DS is basically the classic Mario formula but with a fresh coat of paint—and it works. You’ve got your usual running, jumping, and stomping Goombas, but the levels feel tighter and more inventive than some of the older games. The power-ups are a blast too—the Mega Mushroom turns you into a screen-filling wrecking ball, and the Mini Mushroom makes platforming way more tense (and hilarious when you slip through tiny gaps).

What surprised me was how good it feels on the DS. The controls are snappy, and the dual-screen setup actually adds something—like seeing your next objective up top while dodging enemies below. Some of the later levels get brutal, but in that satisfying "one more try" way. If you’ve ever enjoyed a Mario game, this one’s a no-brainer.