Kirby's Adventure

Club Nintendo can be a critical miss some months with some really bad choices of free games. This is not one of those months. Three of these are certified masterpieces and absolute classics of Nintendo's expansive history, and the last is one reason why the Nintendo DS became such a phenomenon.

We'll work our way chronologically through the list. The first game available is 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure on the Nintendo 3DS. I had already called the game a timeless classic and compared it favorably to the recently released Kirby: Triple Deluxe considering the price difference, and now that it is free, I can recommended it even more. Kirby's Adventure is pure game design and imagination at its finest and the 3D revamp should be worth playing through it again.

The second game is another all time favorite of mine, and it should be an all time favorite of just about anybody with a pulse who was born in the 1980s. Super Metroid is a masterpiece of a video game design. Everything from the level design to the presentation to the seamless storytelling puts this game on a level of magnificence that very few games could ever hope to reach. Perfection through and through, and it is only becoming more influential with time as the indie scene uses more so than any other game as inspiration.

Finally, the last of the three classics is Mario Kart 64. While it might not stand the test of time as well as the other two, there is still plenty of quirks that make this one of the most enjoyable Mario Kart games to date. Whether it is the bugs, the weapon choices, the muddy Nintendo 64 graphics, or just the nostalgia, there really is no better way to jump back into the series after a long absence. Plus, it's the only game my fiancee can beat me at, so I'm obligated to pull it out every once in a while.

The last game is not really a game, nor have I ever played it, but the Brain Age series is important at least for expanding the appeal of the Nintendo DS beyond its normal gaming audience. I'll ignore it, but it's there if you want to use your precious coins.

I'm already in the process of downloading Kirby's Adventure. I'm so glad I've held off buying it until now because its been on my wishlist since I first picked up my Nintendo 3DS. I nearly succumbed back when reviewing Kirby: Triple Deluxe as well. Dodged a bullet with that one. As for the others, I already own Super Metroid on my Wii U, and my Nintendo 64 is still hooked up to my home's main television.

Is there a way to truly enjoy Mario Kart 64 without the authentically horrible Nintendo 64 controller anyways?