Best Classic and Retro Games at the 2009 E3 Expo

Miyamoto, the creator and designer of most Mario games, has outdone himself again with this old-school comeback and direct sequel to Super Mario Bros. 3. Built in the same 2D side-scrolling style as the NES classics, SMB Wii includes new power suits, more elaborate levels and, for the first time in any Mario game, up to 4 player simultaneous co-op throughout the entire adventure.

The Wiimote is used like a traditional NES controller with the directional pad and A/B buttons, however motion comes into play when using the new power suits. Previewed at the show were the Propeller Suit, which allows the gang to float and hover, and the Penguin Suit, letting you belly slide across ice and freeze enemies.

With the Wii rerelease of Resident Evil 4 standing as the most successful M-Rated game for the system, Capcom is mining their pool of popular RE titles from the past, reworking their controls for the Wii's motion sensitive capabilities. Up next is the GameCube remake of the very first Resident Evil game.

The game itself is identical to the GameCube version with the only new feature being the reworking of the Wii Motion Control. The gameplay is adapted terrifically, but it's still a mystery why they continue to choose the trigger button on the Wiimote for aiming and the A button at the top of the controller to fire, while every other shooter for the Wii, including new Resident Evil titles have the opposite, more natural configuration.

The fourth sequel to come out of the Game Boy classic version of Donkey Kong and the first Mario DSi exclusive; from a concept originally designed as a puzzle game intended to expand the short levels of the DK arcade game. The GB version quickly became the most popular versions of DK released for any Nintendo system (as they have yet to release a true port of the arcade game).

The goal is to get all the Minis (miniaturized versions of the Mario gang) across each level safely in order to rescue Mario's pre-Princess Peach love interest, Pauline, from Donkey Kong. In addition to the classic gameplay, this new DSi version contains a level editor, where players can structure and design their own levels.

A remake/reimagining of the PS One horror survival classic Silent Hill follows Harry Mason search for his missing daughter in the spooky town of Silent Hill. Shattered Memories maintains the same feel and fright the series is known for, surrounding the player in darkness and fog. The reimagining takes the otherworldly elements up a notch by having the town suddenly transform into an ice-caked world of terror.

A big draw to the game is the innovative uses of the Wiimote. You can use it as a flashlight by holding it the same way you would a real one, or use it as a tool to open or investigate objects. The creepiest use of the controller is when you find a cell phone and receive calls, the sounds of which come only out of the Wiimote speaker.

The game that Ubisoft refuses to announce, but loves to have other folks promote. While there was nothing on the remake at the Ubisoft booth, with the staff not even aware of its existence, I found a playable demo in the backroom press-only section of Microsoft's booth right as the show was closing.

As with the original, Shredder shoots the turtles into a time warp, sending them jumping through the past and future where foot soldiers and boss battles are a plenty.

Turtles in Time Re-Shelled feels much like the treatment Capcom gave Bionic Commando Rearmed, with the same design and gameplay, but an upgrade to the graphics, and probably a few new moves thrown in. The game is set to hit XBLA on 7/22/09, but no word yet on any other platforms.

What started as a PC freeware tribute to old-school Metroid and Castelvania style NES games has been remade and given a visual upgrade by indie game developers Nicalis. While transitioning the game to the Wii, Nicalis was careful to maintain the gameplay and 2D old school look and feel, while cleaning up the graphics and tweaking the controls.

As the silent hero named Quote, you awaken on a mysterious floating island and must go on a quest to save the rabbit like inhabitants, called Mimgas, from an evil Doctor and his henchmen.

The PC version received critical acclaim for its unique take on retro style gaming. The WiiWare version will expand the cult following of the game even further.

Capcom is finally bringing their popular 2D fighting game and seventh "verses" title to the United States courtesy of the Wii. Taking a page from the success of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom features richly illustrated anime style character models taken from Capcom's library of classic fighters, and pits them against the Japanese animation studio, Tatsunoko's cast of heroes.

Unlike most Wii games that require multiplayer opponents to play on the same console, T vs. C will have enabled Wi-Fi online combat, but continue to keep the 2D style that made Marvel Vs. Capcom and Capcom Vs. SNK some of their best brawlers yet.