Sound:  
Sound is another place where these games shine.

Of course there are the expected bleeps and bloops, but beyond that... well that's it.

And ok, there aren't any bloops, just bleeps.

Fine, so the sound is quite terrible, but at least you can turn it off if someone else is within earshot.

Multiplayer:  
Multiplayer, now we're getting somewhere...

OK, no, each game is just one-player. Sorry.

Control:
Finally, something we can talk about. Here's the run down:

Super Mario Bros: Move with the D-pad, jump with the button. The responsiveness is a little delayed, but the steady pace of the game makes it easy to press the buttons in rythym.

Donkey Kong Junior: Move with the D-pad, including pressing up to attach to an overhead vine, and even climb up the one at the end of the screen. Use the button to jump. Easy enough, except for the final leap at the end of the level. It's a diagonal jump which is pretty hard to get without some trial and error. Not too bad, except an error here will probably cost DK Junior one of his three lives.

Mario's Cement Factory: Move with the D-Pad and jump with the button. Also, pull a lever with the button, as well. Just like with Super Mario Bros, the game's timing helps overshadow the sluggish response of the controls.

Gameplay:
Each game plays different from the others, but all offer that looping gameplay that makes puzzle games so addicting. You can't really win, but you can still rack up the points.

Super Mario Bros: Each of four levels, made up of many LCD platforms scroll by one section at a time. Mario can move in any direction along them, trying to time jumps so that higher platforms will scroll under his feet before he lands. Make it through the levels to save the princess and repeat.

Donkey Kong Junior: DK Jr. is challenged to move to the right of the screen, climb a vine to a high tree branch, make his way back, and time a leaping jump in order to grab a swinging key which opens part of a trapped Donker Kong Senior's cage. Four keys will free the beast and start the process once more. To keep things interesting, enemies will come across the screen, forcing DK Jr. to jump, walk, and climb around them. There's even a piece of fruit to knock down that can take out enemies for more points. If it wasn't for the final, tricky leap, this game would easily be the best.

Mario's Cement Factory: Mario must navigate back and forth across the screen for this title. Moving elevator platforms scroll up and down offering the chance to switch levels, as well. Cement holders are slowly filled at the top of both sides of the screen. Before they overflow, spill out, and crush a worker below, Mario must make his way to the holders and pull a lever that empties the cement. The cement drops to a lower holder where the process must be repeated once more to get it to the ground floor. Things start to get a little faster and the game becomes the most challenging of the three.

OVERALL:
If there were a nostalgia score below, it would better help illustrate why we still consider these titles to be 'Average.'

Overall, for $7 a pop, the Nintendo Mini Classics are a great addition to any serious fan's (six-year-old's) collection.

They're certainly not revolutionary, but if you're an old fogie, just getting to play as Donkey Kong Jr. again should make everything worth while.

 

The Lowdown on  Mini Classics Aesthetics: Terrible Control: Below Average Gameplay: Average Multiplayer: Sound: Terrible Innovation: 3/6 Lasting Appeal: 2/6 Overall: Average! "An Average Game"