Remember the stir created when Nintendo released their Super Mario All-Stars and let people revisit the past with enhanced versions of the classics? Oh yeah, that time is already now as many gamers have gobbled up Super Mario Brothers DX for their Color Gameboys. Face it folks, retro gaming is in and if Nintendo wants to capitalize why not start with the collection to top them all?

Mario Anthology would be the ultimate classic collector's item letting you follow everyone's favorite portly plumber from his early days up to the present.

Basic Features:

Included in the DVD would be:

• Donkey Kong (arcade)

• Donkey Kong Jr. (arcade)

• Mario Brothers (arcade)

• Super Mario Brothers (SNES enhanced version)

• Super Mario Brothers: Lost Levels (SNES enhanced version)

• Super Mario Brothers 2 (SNES enhanced version)

• Super Mario Brothers 3 (SNES enhanced version)

• Super Mario World (SNES)

• Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)

• Super Mario 64 (N64 - Optional)

While Nintendo would do just as well without further updating these games of course any time spent on additional enhancements would likely be appreciated.

Extra Goodies:
• In a perfect world Nintendo would push the limit even further with this disk and give gamers a true archival disk. To do this they could include concept drawings from different games, interviews with Miyamoto, a creature gallery that would chronicle every character included in any Mario game, anything involved in Mario lore... include it. Even better with these sorts of goodies in store for people make them earn them. Beat Super Mario Brothers to unlock that game or the creature gallery... provide people with real motivation to experience it all over again.

• If writable storage were available and the system had network capabilities it would be foolish for Nintendo not to capitalize with a few simple additions. First, put together a 2D Super Mario World-class level editor so that players could make their own worlds for themselves or others to play. Add in Internet connectivity and you have an even better deal allowing people to share their levels with others. For the ultimate touch though take it a step further and sponsor a contest for the best player-made new Mario level... the response would be staggering and it would all further publicize the game and help sales.

Justin says: If this game were to be made I would be first in line to part with whatever money it took to grab this gem of gaming history. Super Mario Brothers DX is plenty of proof that people's interest in finding the roots of gaming is very much alive and this sort of collection would promote enormous interest in the new system. My real hope though is that Nintendo really would take something like this that extra mile and not merely give you the games themselves but also the little tidbits that were unexpected. I love games that unlock extras as you complete them and this sort of collection would suit that system very well.Bottom line, this would be an unparalleled opportunity to give younger gamers a glimpse of Mario's incredible heritage and for the older generations to remember that magic that turned them into fans back when they were younger.

Max says: Going along with "special features" idea that Justin had, it'd be good to have character profiles for all the big time players, very similiar to "cast & crew" bios type materials found in many DVD movie discs.

It'd also be cool to have other references, like all of Mario's appearences in games--ever. This would include things like him playing the Ref in the original Punch-Out and even cameos like the end of Tetris. This would be very informative and a great bonus.

And I probably won't be the first to point out that Justin's list is far from complete. What about Wrecking Crew? What a classic game that was, and Mario *was* the protagonist. What about colorized Mario Land 1, 2 & 3? Why not throw DK3 in there to boot (not Mario, still classic). Well, maybe that would be a bit much for one release and of course leaving those would make room for more ideas like this one.

Nintendo is totally overlooking an untapped market. Emulation of classic games remains huge (even though things have gotten a bit more "underground") and with the storage capacity of DVD, it's time to give the fans what we've been waiting for.