Yoshi's Island DS

Usually, if Mario is put in a game, it's going to be pretty good. This game is no exception.

If you're thinking about picking this up, the original version (part one) is available on the GameBoy Advance for $20 new, and is a great warm up.

In this game, you play as Yoshi. Mario is a baby, and rides on your back. If you get hurt, he gets knocked off and cries his head off until you can catch him again. There aren't any life bars, but you only have so many seconds to pick Mario up before the baddies grab him up.

The really neat differences between this DS sequel and the original on the SNES/GBA are the dual screen views and multiple babies. The second screen shows even more areas to go. You really have to watch both to know what's going on. The multiple babies gives you some great puzzle style challenges. Mario can see and hit blocks that others can't. Peach's parasol can catch updrafts and let you float around. Donkey Kong can climb vines. Wario attracts coins and other metal objects.

Overall, this is an amazingly fun game if you can get past the babies crying. It's not a must have title, but it's worth picking up if you're just looking for a new game.