By Chip and Jonathan Carter
Tribune Media Services

SUPER MARIO BROS. DELUXE, FOR GAME BOY COLOR -- As Mark Twain once said ... well, we can't remember exactly what he once said. Or maybe it wasn't him. But somebody smarter than us once said, "Everything old is new again."

You're right. That is a moronic statement, and no, we don't know either how it applies to real life.

But in video games ... hey, now that's a different story. And that's where whoever said that new/old thing comes off looking like a genius.

This is a collection of all the old 8-bit NES Mario Bros. games ever made -- 1, 2, 3 and the Lost Levels, bit and pieces that appeared originally in Japanese versions but not here (they comprise another entire game, and were eventually released on Super Mario All-Stars for the Super NES).

New twists include a challenge mode that gives you specific missions in various levels (find, say, a certain number of coins and an egg); and a multiplayer mode that, via a link cable, lets you and a friend race through a competitive mode as Mario and Luigi.

The GB Color is the perfect graphic medium for these games -- they look better here than they did on the big screen on the NES. And the action's just as cool as it was then -- you'll see why an unknown programmer named Shigeru Miyamoto created such a stir when he released the first Mario Bros. game in 1985.

JONATHAN SAYS: I love these games. I loved 'em when I was little, and I love 'em now. To have 'em all in one portable package is a very cool thing. A+

CHIP SAYS: Game Boy Color is doing for old 8-bit NES games what VH-1 does for old rock stars. No, not humiliating them and dragging their dirty laundry out in public, but giving them a place to go and a means to still be productive. The Mario Bros. are the Neil Young of video games -- old and crusty, extremely cool, and still mad rockin'. A+.

OVERALL: A+ -- BUY IT FOR ALL AGES.

MORTAL KOMBAT 4, FOR GAME BOY COLOR -- Here's the best small-screen brawler we've ever seen -- by a long shot. It's got big characters, cool finishing moves, no noticeable slowdown, and great 2-D looks.

Of course, you don't get the graphic representation that you'd get on your PlayStation or N64. Then again, if you expect that, you're an idiot.

That also means you're not going to get the gobs of gore this series is known for. Depending on your point of view, that can be a good or bad thing.

Regardless, you do get tons of action, and eight of your favorite MK characters (relax -- others are hidden). And of course there are those Kombat Kodes -- and there are some special ones just for the GB version.

JONATHAN SAYS: Games like Tekken have spoiled me when it comes to brawlers, but I can see the old school charm in this one. B.

CHIP SAYS: It's only in recent years that I've gotten sick to death of fighting games. This one reminds me of what I liked about 'em in the first place. And it's portable. A.

OVERALL: B+ -- BUY IT FOR AGES 10 AND UP.

720, FOR GAME BOY COLOR -- Here, in living color, is proof that "retro" isn't always a good thing. In fact, the living color part's about the only good thing 720 has going for it.

Don't be fooled into thinking this is a new game. It originally came out for the old 8-bit NES back in the late '80s. Now don't get us wrong -- some of the greatest games ever, and a lot of our favorites, were on that system.

But not this one. This is one of those games that wasn't very good then, and it hasn't gotten any better over the years.

The premise is simple: You roll around on a skateboard, trying to catch air and do tricks (unimpressive on both accounts). As you roll around the corners of this small city, you sometimes find random amounts of cash and earn points for tricks. With that windfall, you can buy better boards, helmets, shoes, etc. Thing is, none of that noticeably improves your performance!

You can also take on "expert" parks that let you do things like, um, go downhill and make turns. No, it didn't impress us much either.

Instead of a 720, we'd suggest you do a 180 and walk away from this moldy oldie.

JONATHAN SAYS: I was like, 4, when this game originally came out ... and I didn't like it then, either. I do like the half-pipe/ramp park though. D.

CHIP SAYS: If I knew how to spell that noise you make by putting your tongue between your lips and blowing, that's what I'd write here. D-.

OVERALL: D -- SKIP IT.

NBA JAM '99, FOR GAME BOY COLOR -- Here's this year's version of Jam done up and done well for the small screen. You get the standard two-on-two Jam action, with all this year's NBA squads accurately represented.

The graphics are very good for an 8-bit machine, and the game play holds up well making the transition from home console to portable unit.

JONATHAN SAYS: Roundball fun on the little screen -- gotta love it. A.

CHIP SAYS: Sometimes it's hard to tell what exactly you're doing with the ball, and the only way you really know if you've scored or not is if the ball bounces and the other team just stares at it before inbounding again. Then again, that's pretty much how the rest of the Jam series is! This one's fun to carry around anyway. B.

OVERALL: B+ -- BUY IT FOR AGES 6 AND UP.

TIPS AND TRICKS

 ALL-STAR BASEBALL 2000, FOR N64 -- If you've been having a tough time throwing out base runners -- and who hasn't with that new avoid-the-tag slide feature, which is cool when you're using it but stinks when the computer or one of your friends is -- try this: As soon as your baseman receives the throw, step off the bag in the direction of the runner. You'll automatically tag the runner without giving him a chance to slide under or around your glove.

Chip & Jonathan Carter are a father/son gaming team who've been twiddling their thumbs professionally since 1990.