New Super Mario Bros. Wii has become the after work game of choice here at The Kartel HQ, as we all gather around and jump jump for joy in the addictive 4 player co-op mode. What makes it so addicting is that there's a great balance of cooperation vs competition, all served up in classic 2D platforming wonderment. Over our boisterous sessions, someone would randomly yell out, "Man, you know what classic game would be so cool with 4 player co-op added in? XXX!" XXX of course refers to some classic game, and not some porno, though four way porno is also quite exciting. Zelda: The Four Swords did an admirable job before it, but we want to see more platform games. And so, we've compiled our list of the top 7 games that we want to see redone in this format. And we'll pester game publishers each day with emails until they do.

7.) Adventure Island

Why It Belongs: What's great about Adventure Island is that the gameplay features a unique blend of platforming, with a bit of timed racing. The game has your health bar gradually going down over time, and the only way to stay alive is to constantly collect fruit. Now imagine that same scenario with four players, all trying to collect as many power ups and fruit as possible, but still trying to constantly race forward without dying. Each player can grab different power ups, and some players can even race ahead if they happen to get the skateboard first. Hudson could even throw in some great fan service by adding in other characters in their vast catalog to the game, ie. Bonk, Bomberman, so that all these characters are engaged in some "friendly" competition.

6.) Castlevania

Why It Belongs: The game series really hit it's stride back when Symphony of Nights was released, as more variety in weapons, and power ups, and dramatic level design were introduced. We're all fans of the various DS versions of the game, and think that game could really take off if they introduced 4 player co-op in the game. Because you can sync 4 different DS systems, different players could run off in different directions to try and tackle things on their own, or they can work together and try to solve puzzles and defeat bosses. Because the level design, often times the game has multiple ways to get to a certain point and there could be some fun ways to get people to make a mad dash for a rare item on the other side of the map, as each player takes their own route. Best of all, since the game series has now introduced so many different characters, each person can play someone different, with potentially different capabilities as well. Some players could become expert close-range weapon masters, while others stick with long-range attacks. Because of the game's roller-coaster difficulty, it probably doesn't hurt to have four players lashing their whips at Dracula either. Just as long as all 4 players don't whip the same time, lest they all get tangled together.

5.) Donkey Kong Country

Why It Belongs: The whole Donkey Kong Country series has always been rather straightforward platforming, and needs a new hook if it were to be reintroduced to today's new crop of gamers. And a 4 player mode would do wonders. Each player can pick a different Kong, whether Diddy, Donkey, Dopey, and Dildo (I forget all their names...) Each player could ride different animals, or race through levels jumping from barrel blast to barrel blast. Collecting bananas could also be done in a fresh way, as the player who collects the most each level can play a mini game of Donkey Kong Konga, and the drums onscreen are replaced with the heads of the other Kongs who lost. It's sort of like Teabagging, but Nintendo style.

4.) Gunstar Heroes

Why It Belongs: The original Genesis game was known for its massive bosses, most of which were fought in a fast paced atmosphere. The unique combinations of combining numerous gun beams would be interesting as well. For a game that was so difficult to beat, especially for casual gamers (I still get the sweats thinking about how my health would drain so rapidly during intense battles), Gunstar Heroes is the type of platforming that screams "I need some help!" We see beam crossing as being a potential feature in such a dream game as well (sorry Ghostbusters!). Because of how crazy it can get onscreen, half of the strategy is to get everyone coordinated enough so that there isn't a crazy stream of bullets flying everywhere.

3.) Super Star Wars

Why It Belongs: This classic 2D side scroller for the SNES was really one of the best Star Wars games ever made. The game was filled with some great level design, authentic sound effects and music, as well as some great battle sequences. So imagine a 4 player game, where each person could play as one of their favorite characters, from Luke, to Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the guy with the red fish head. Can you imagine pressing buttons as a team to take down a Hoth AT-AT Walker or button-mashing levels that put you against numerous evil Jedis, like in Episode II? Star Wars fans would clamor for this one. Heck, even Trekies who hate Star Wars with a passion would line up to play this game.

2.) Mega Man

Why It Belongs:  With Mega Man 10 just announced as a digital download game on WiiWare, there are rumors already flying around that it will feature 4 player co-op. Capcom, if you did introduce this, I'll name my first child Mega Man. Can you imagine mad four player dashes for the oh so precious energy tanks? How about combining certain weapons and power-ups so that firepower becomes stronger? It would be cool if different people could also play as defeated bosses, and not just reskinned versions of Mega Man. It could introduce new strategy, because each player then has to rely on others to get past certain levels, where their weapon of choice just doesn't cut it. Trust us; it'd be really funny to hear the all-familiar Mega Man death sound numerous times too. Sure, there would be a need for some tweaking to avoid some of the highly difficult precision driven platforming challenges. Or maybe leave those difficult platforming challenges in, and see if the game leads to real life fistfights, as friends turn on each other for inadvertently getting in the way of a tricky jump.  Capcom... make it so!

1.) Sonic the Hedgehog

Why It Belongs: Is there any other SEGA fan out there that feels that Sonic should NOT receive the much praised 2D makeover? There's already the rumored Project Needlemouse, but if done right, a fast paced four player game would be just as intriguing.  We're pretty sure technology is powerful enough to handle 4 blazing characters racing through massive levels (it's like blast processing on roids). We're still not sure how this game would work if we used one television. Since each character moves so fast, getting separated will happen all the time. It seems like the kind of game that requires online play. And I can already dream of the sequel to this game. Mario vs Sonic 2D. Seriously, that's the Mario and Sonic game we all WANT to play.

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