Education Can Be Fun, Kids, But This Game Isn't

User Rating: 4.2 | Mario is Missing! SNES
Mario Is Missing is a clever method of tricking children into learning. I can see the purpose all too clearly: "Johnny, learn about ancient China for twenty minutes, then you can jump on those turtle things for five seconds before you have to learn about the Amazon for another twenty minutes." Of course, if this game was truly educational, it would have some merit. The Oregon Trail was indeed educational, and fun as well, as it was for many children their first gaming experience on the ancient Apple IIE. Mario Is Missing is more of a nightmare in education. The game really strikes out because it relies on constant backtracking and trial and error. The traditional Mario elements, like pouncing on Koopas, are present only in the way that grass is edible. Sure, you can have some iota of fun with it, but after a moment you realize that you really want something with more substance. Well, that's going too far. It's far more preferable to eat grass than to play this game.