G4TV

Platform: Nintendo DS
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Score: 

Pros: Great graphics; rock-solid control
Cons: Too cute for words; too short and easy

Mario's Missing! A little over two decades gaming's Italian Stallion began saving the ever-helpless Princes Peach from all manner of Bowser-instrumented kidnappings, the tables have turned. Now it's Princess Peach setting out on a quest through one disgustingly cute world after another in order to save Mario and pals. Score one for feminism!

A Woman Scorned

Or maybe not. The entire basis of Peach's hero status is based on wild mood swings. The Princess abilities to take her feelings to the kind of extremes you generally only see with reality television drama queens -- or Elton John -- is the entire basis for her hero status. Score one for male chauvinist pigs perpetuating female stereotypes!

Actually, though, the mood swings are a fantastic play mechanic. Working much the way Mario's costumes did in Mario Bros. 3, the right mood gives the Princess great power. When she gets all weepy, her tears can douse flames or make sprouts grow; when happy, she can twirl fast enough to fly; when angry, she's so hot she can melt ice or burn through wood.

If the last paragraph didn't make you stop reading, then this is the game for you. The various moods give the game that exploration vibe that all great Mario games have featured. And it's the exploration that gives this game a bit more longevity.

A Short, Sweet Ride

The main quest in Princess Peach is a fairly short and very easy affair. But for those gamers weaned on the collect-a-thons of yesteryear -- we're talking collecting hundreds of bananas in Donkey Kong 64 or a million different thingamabobs in Star Fox Adventures -- there are loads of different odds and ends to gather in Princess Peach. And they all go towards unlocking mini-games and other fun diversions.

Not to mention the great secret feature you'll unlock should you finish the game.

Girlie-Men

Let's face it -- this game is made for little girls. Your powers are based on four different types of mood swings; your sidekick is a talking parasol…a parasol; and everything is drenched in enough pink to make Paris Hilton throw up. And as a game for little girls, it totally succeeds.

But if you're man enough to see past that, there's actually a lot to like here for the hardcore gamer. The platforming is rock-solid and there are a lot of nooks and crannies to explore.

Just don't play it in public, unless you want grade-schoolers calling you a sissy.