What should be mentioned first in this review is that Dr. Mario is an old game, nearly as old as the video game addict writing this article. As such this game has to be taken as it is, its not one of the new flashy games with 3D graphics and enough color and depth to make your head cave in; this game is a classic.

The main goal of this game is to eliminate every one of the three different colored viruses from the bottle without making a gigantic irrecoverable mess with the pills you are given. This is done by stacking the corresponding color of pill on top of the virus until four pieces of the same color are in a row. After four are lined up it seems the virus’s head cannot support the weight any longer and both the head and the pieces of pills are banished to an unknown void for all eternity.

The remaining pieces of pills that are hanging off the sides of this catastrophic implosion are then dropped downward. This can mean one of two things: if the player has planned ahead the falling pieces will trigger a combo and detonate more viruses and possibly if playing a multiplayer game cause a bomb. If the player did not plan ahead a very large frustrating mess may emerge resulting in the loss of the game, and making all the viruses laugh at you… and nobody wants to be laughed at by three different colors of viruses, that’s just not cool.

Because this game has multiple difficulty adjustments as well as an adjustable sound track, it is suitable for every single member of the family. I believe I started playing this classic at no older than five, while my 30 something year old mother was reigning champion of the house at the time. Also the multiplayer portion of this game is extremely satisfying as it gives you a chance to rain pieces of pills as well as frustration down on your opponent, while still clearing your screen.

In summation, this game is great on every system it was made, with the later editions only adding to the glory that is this 8-bit classic. The game is appropriate for all ages, and because it is a puzzle game, it helps to develop problem solving strategies as well as fast hand to eye coordination. Basically no household should be without this game, and naturally the older the copy of the game, the cooler it is. So get out there and find an NES and original cartridge of Dr. Mario, I am fairly certain you will be the envy of all your friends. In total, I give this game on all systems 10 out of 10 totally tubular original NES cartridges. Just don’t blame me for your sudden interest in medicine (and your new complete misunderstanding of the workings of medicine).

-Scott Welsch, Flagstaff Bookmans Entertainment Exchange Buyer.