Unless you’ve been in the dark ages during the games technology revolution, you’re sure to have come across the gaming icon Super Mario. Super Mario Brothers, popularly called Super Mario Bros, was first produced by Nintendo in 1985. His creation changed the world of gaming forever and the jolly plumber became a household name.

Mario has explored just about every genre of video game. Aside from action platforms, the plucky plumber has also starred in puzzle, racing, sports, fighting and educational games, as well as a Hollywood movie. After 20 years of action packed adventures, the New Super Mario Bros. game retains all of its well-known thrilling escapades while featuring eight exciting new worlds to explore with multi-player challenges, and addictive mini-games. This is the first time since the eighties that the original game has been reformatted.

The new Super Mario Bros. game can be played on the DS Lite which will also be available in June. The Nintendo DS has undertaken a facelift, emerging as the DS Lite and creating an impact with its sleek and glossy new look - think “iPod white”. The DS Lite provides users with a unique game-play experience using features never before offered by any other home console or hand-held game system. It boasts dual screens that give users new perspectives while playing and new control using both touch screen and voice recognition.

A few quirky facts about Mario:
- Mario was originally called Jumpman. The name was changed to Mario after it was noticed that the landlord of Nintendo of America’s offices looked like the character, his name was Mario Segali.

- Mario started his adventures as a carpenter; he became a plumber a short time after.

- Mario has appeared in over one hundred games, many of them bestsellers.

- The original Super Mario Bros. sold over 40 million copies (pack-in copies included). Nearly 200 million copies of games featuring Mario have been sold worldwide.

Oh yeah, before I forget, Happy 20th Annivesary Super Mario!