Don't miss this one!
I won't describe the gameplay elements in too much depth here; you can read all about them in the Eurogamer or WiiWareWorld reviews. I will simply confirm that each of the three games offered here is deceptively simple and surprisingly innovative in its own right. These are simple new concepts executed extremely well, and without a lot of frills in the presentation.
What puts MaBoShi's Arcade over the top is how the three games interact as a whole package. With three players, this is a sublime experience combining simple gameplay and frantic, sometimes chaotic action. However, since you can save and use your own interactive replays in any of the game's windows, single players really aren't missing out on any of the action. Your replays will still knock blocks and defeated enemies into your window to help or hinder you... and a big part of the addictive fun of the game is trying to manage and take advantage of the ensuing chaos... all while pressing a single button!
MaBoShi's Arcade does one more thing that more WiiWare games should do: it interacts with the DS. You can download a simplified version of the game to your DS to take with you. This version displays one window at a time, and doesn't save replays, but the three games are identical, and excellent for practicing your newly acquired skills. All week I've taken the Arcade to work to play on my lunch break...
MaBoShi's Arcade has simple graphics, cute music, and new gameplay, and it combines its elements so perfectly that it becomes much more than the sum of its parts. It's fun, addictive, challenging, easy to both pick up and to put down (important for those of us who have jobs!) and should definitely not be missed by anyone who thinks they might appreciate something new.