The Tingler

Saying that, I'm really hoping for a Luigi's Mansion 2 using the WiiMote. Anyone else like that idea?

I'd forgotten all about Petey, and I think he's a safe bet. I'm not sure how Ridley will work either, unless he's about the size of Bowser. I mean, Bowser's HUGE in some Mario games!

New characters announced! (on June 6th, click 'New Heads for Smash Bros') We were right on the money with Wind Waker Young Link and Bowser Junior! Did someone suggest Ridley as well? Sounds cool! Still fifteen more? Let the speculation continue! I'm now adding: Krystal from Starfox Adventures/Assault (female character, they need more of them) Samurai Goroh from F-Zero (Falcon's rival, and they could do with another character from the series!)

Try Nintendo. Most recently, try Animal Crossing, Brain Age or Chibi-Robo. Get a Wii when it comes out. That's all you need. ... Oh, and Gibbage (which I can't play, sorry Dan, but my computer really doesn't like it).

I would love to see the Xen race returning to wage war against the Combine for control of Earth. Where are their Warriors, or those floating brain bastards?

What I want to know is, does the G-Man make any of his patented 'Where's G-Man?' appearances in the game? I certainly haven't spotted him yet, apart from the cutscene at the beginning of course, and his briefcase at the entrance to the train station.

Yes, of course. I still call it 'Star Wars Episode 1: Balance of the Force' too.

Hmm, true, but they're only brief - not the full game. I'm prepared to admit defeat if it really NEEDS to look 3D like that, but I'd have to play the game first - although I don't know how easily obtainable it is.

With you there. 'Episode 1' just doesn't make any sense. Was HL2 'Episode 0'? Are you going to be first in line for a Nintendo Revolution, as well?

I pretty much breezed through the game as Sonic, but I'm struggling on the first level as Blaze! Don't know why. Perhaps I'm allergic to cats. Well, fiery ones anyway.

Yeah, this really shouldn't be your first Sonic game. Not that you can't play Sonic Rush first, you just have to play the Megadrive/Genesis Sonic games! Everyone does! I personally am completely stuck at the final boss though, and getting the last Emerald. And I'm a lifelong Sonic fan. I even played through Heroes! Although I haven't finished Shadow the Hedgehog, just can't be bothered. I'd exchange it, but they're giving such crappy prices for it....

Hmm. Can't say I've heard of Klonoa. (rushes off, finds it) Oh. Again, looks kind of pointless - regardless of the game behind it, if you can't move in 3D it might as well be a proper 2D game. Lemmings Revolution is another good example - that was just an exercise in pointlessness. So what did they do with Lemmings on the PSP? They made it 2D again. 3D characters are acceptable though (Sonic Rush and New Super Mario Bros to name two), as long as the levels themselves play in 2D. If you're going to have 3D-graphics in a basically 2D game - forget the 3D camera! I'm waiting for someone to mention NiGHTS...

Sonic Rush on the DS is actually brilliant, the best handheld Sonic for my money. This just looks terrible. Either go full 3D or go 2D, that's what the likes of Pandemonium and Crash Bandicoot taught us before Super Mario 64 turned up. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when Shadow made an appearance, though. Still, the camera's horrible (Deja vu 3D Sonic games?).

I've unlocked the last world with the cannon, but I'm still playing World 6 in order. I'm also trying desperately to get World 7, but avoiding Petey Piranha as Tiny Mario is really hard! Not to mention it's really difficult to get hold of a Mini Mushroom in the first place! I'm still addicted though. I probably won't get Super Princess Peach, but I'm looking forward to both Yoshi's Island 2 and Super Paper Mario.

Considering you can find both games for free (indeed, unless you speak Japanese Earthbound Zero is ONLY available as a free ROM!), you don't have much to lose!

They're like Final Fantasy, except (from Earthbound/Mother 2 onwards) a) you can see the enemies, and they're utterly hilariously insane. For example, the enemies you face include a New Age Retro Hippie, a Piece Of Abstract Art, L'il Flying Saucers and Killer Mushrooms (see below for what they do to you). Characters are also similarly great. The Cat Who Swims In The Ground is a personal favourite, along with the iconic Mr. Saturns who have their own font. Earthbound is probably the better of the two (haven't played 3 yet), mainly 'cause you can see the enemies. It's also becomes quite clever, as when your character becomes more powerful, lower enemies become afraid of him and run away! You can chase them! There's a mushroom that sticks to your character's head... and you have to visit a hospital to have it removed. If you leave it your controls get messed up.

Or you could get a SNES Emulator and play Earthbound instead.

It's all very nice, but as much as I love playing these games I'd still rather play them again on PC instead and keep my DS playing Mario Kart, Metroid Prime Hunters, Sonic Rush, Mario 64, Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time, Resident Evil: Deadly Silence and, just arrived this morning, New Super Mario Bros. That's more than I'm playing on PC at the moment!

Why aren't any of the classic adventures coming out on DS?! I mean, Broken Sword made it to the GBA, why can't others?! This proves it can be done - even if its a bit jerky. But importantly - can you save in these games?

Maybe Ness will get a Mother 3-ized version, in the form of Lucas or Claus (twin brothers of the distinct Ness variety - see here for more information - just click 'Character Introduction'). And I want to play a Mr. Saturn! You mean like Raiden, the protagonist in MGS2? I suppose that's possible. Maybe even that cool Ninja bloke without a face! Bomberman would seem a likely candidate, but I still hold that Sonic would be most likely. I would've said he was more likely to appear in SSB3 than Snake, anyway! I could be wrong. Wario is long overdue an appearance - he should have had Dr. Mario's place in SSBM. Waluigi is a strong possibility, maybe even a proper Daisy too. That's feasible, although we've already got used to Samus as she is, and Zelda/Sheik was built from the ground up. Ooh, speaking of Wind Waker versions of Young Link and Ganondorf, why not Zelda/Tetra!

Actually, it seems to be closer to a ground-based NiGHTS, with Sonic. And we can't forget that unlike Sonic the Hedgehog 360, this game doesn't feature Shadow driving cars and shooting things...

Yeah, Fred Savage! Bring The Wizard in too! Ohhh, so you were the guy who bought that game! I wondered who did.

To answer one question: yes, that IS Donkey Kong Jr on Yoshi. Him, Baby Peach and Baby Mario will all have to ride Yoshi's back at some point, and you get different abilities for each baby. For example, Peach and her floaty-umbrella. I didn't even know you could play Mario Kart DS with the touchscreen! Excellent! I'll be trying that out shortly! I'm also really jazzed that Ninty are suddenly releasing 2D platformers again! Of course, we've also had Metroid Fusion, but Mario is where it's at! Platforming perfection! Two Mario platformers and a new Yoshi's Island... bliss!

Yep, another Fawful vote! And I liked the Melee hammer. I liked playing Link and daring anyone to pick one up, then down+Aing their ass!