{"id":59,"date":"2011-08-18T23:52:10","date_gmt":"2011-08-18T23:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.controlpadblues.com\/?p=59"},"modified":"2011-08-18T23:52:10","modified_gmt":"2011-08-18T23:52:10","slug":"super-mario-bros-3-nes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.controlpadblues.com\/?p=59","title":{"rendered":"Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ah yes\u2026\u00a0 such simple box art, yet it works so well.\u00a0 Everything you need to know is right there, on the cover;\u00a0 \u201cit\u2019s Mario, he\u2019s got a racoon tail, and he\u2019s going to blow your mind.\u201d\u00a0 The game’s tagline is also appropriate…<\/p>\n

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1990 - Nintendo Entertainment System (Nintendo)<\/p><\/div>\n

Nearing the end of my very difficult Grade 1, I had a feeling that I would fail and be held back a year.\u00a0 I honestly can\u2019t tell you if those fears were legitimate or not, because the only subject I vividly remember tanking was Math.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if my French, Phys-Ed, Art, and everything else was fine or not\u2026\u00a0 but the Math certainly wasn\u2019t, and that\u2019s all I can recall.\u00a0 I had to go to a special remedial after-hours class, and not only did I hate having to do more of the one subject I hated, I couldn\u2019t stand the thought of not being regarded as an equal to my friends in the same grade.\u00a0 It stressed me out a lot more than it really should a 6 year old.<\/p>\n

Eventually, I moved out of this remedial class and learned the rest of the year\u2019s Math curriculum with my classmates.\u00a0 I still struggled, but was able to limp to the end of the year with a passing grade.\u00a0 I ended up successfully moving onto Grade 2, and what ended up being my worst year (educationally) was behind me.<\/p>\n

In May or June of 1990, not long before the end of the school year, my Mom would bring a game out in a clear plastic bag every once in a while.\u00a0 It was Super Mario Bros. 3<\/em>, the absolute juggernaut of a game that had been out a few months, and gaming magazines I would read wouldn\u2019t shut up about it.\u00a0 I thought Mom was renting it every time I was vigilent with my homework, and getting decent grades on tests.\u00a0 It helped give me something to strive for, even though you\u2019d think trying not<\/em> to be held back a year would be enough motivation\u2026\u00a0 anyway.<\/p>\n

As it turned out, she had actually bought the game at around its release back in February.\u00a0 She was wise to keep it away from me for a while (as to not distract me from what was important), and give me something to shoot for when it counted.\u00a0 Smart lady!<\/p>\n

I was all set for a summer chock full o\u2019 Magic Whistles, Tanooki Suits and Kuribo\u2019s Shoes!<\/p>\n