Mario is Missing!

"Educational Mario game?"

General
Finally! A game with Luigi as the main character! Wait... Educational? Luigi strikes out again!
Yes, when you first hear ''educational game'' you get down. It's not worth buying or renting, but if you could obtain it for free, it may be worth it.
Despite the educational part, this game is kind of interesting. It features a little bit of a Mario-type twist and features Luigi as the main character. I love the idea that Luigi deserves some attention, but it just doesn't work if the game Luigi is in isn't good. Yoshi also makes an appearance in this game.

Graphics (7/10)
This geography game has good graphics, though. You'll travel to Kenya, where the background is filled with straw huts, then visit New York and be flooded with realistic advertisements.

Sound (8/10)
Features classic Mario music and sound. Each locations gives the music a twist, for example, in China, the music has a China-type feeling to it. I love it.

Play Control (10/10)
Just like storyline, I can't underrate things because it's an educational game. Easy to learn, easy to master play control.

Challenge (9/10)
I'll call it a challenge trying to figure out everything about stuff all over the world.

Storyline (7/10)
Yes, I admit. I can't give a game a low score in storyline just because it's educational. This game has a unique storyline: Mario doesn't save Princess, Luigi saves Mario.

Battle System (5/10)
Simply your average Mario battle system. Bop 'em on the head and they're dead. The bosses are very easy, and I mean easy, but it's still your great Mario battle system.

Game Length (4/10)
I know that more of a game could have fit on that cartridge. The length of Mario is Missing could have been longer easily.

Replay Value (1/10)
Once you play the game once, you'll never want to play it again.

Gameplay/Fun (2/10)
Although educational, it has a bit of fun in it. I can't really say that bopping koopa troopas on the head to get artifacts like the torch on the Statue of Liberty is fun, but, you know, it has that familiar Mario feeling.

Originality (9/10)
A very original twist off of the classic Mario games. It's excellent in the way of being original.

Overall (4/10)
Parents:
Ever seen the Phonics Game commercial: ''I wish reading came disguised as a game?'' Well this is geography disguised as a game.

Others:
Don't judge a book by its cover. ''Mario is Missing!'' sounds appealing, but... Well, just don't buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 08/21/00, Updated 11/24/01