I’ve frequented the Nintendo e-shop on my 3DS, but I prefer a physical game. I got a digital copy of The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons thanks to preordering A Link Between Worlds. The other digital game I have is Four Swords Anniversary Edition, which undoubtedly was another fortunate free download for the Zelda fan.

I got an email a week or so ago notifying me that my Club Nintendo rewards points were about to expire. (Um, what? What good are they if they expire? This is the same reaction I had to finding out my plastic Charlie card, my subway pass I’ve had for the past 8 years, was about to expire.) I had to pick a reward in order to use up the points instead of losing them.

My pick came out of the Wii U e-shop. I selected my ultimate nostalgia game from my Super NES days: Super Mario World!  I was so pleased that it was in its original form with no edited text.

The DS remake said “crazed Iggy Koopa,” but the SNES version differs.

is it weird that I always thought these were teeth, not clouds?

Not only did I now have an old favorite that I could play on my newest system, but I found a whole new appreciation for the game pad. I complained about Super Mario Bros. Wii U having the same thing on screen and on the game pad, but there is a definite advantage to this: I can play exclusively on the game pad! I’ve played with the TV off, in another room, walking around, and while streaming Netflix on the screen. It’s like a giant game boy, and I freakin’ love it. It’s been a huge game changer for me, and I hope to make more use of the retro game selection in Wii U’s e-shop soon!  I’m hoping Super Mario Kart makes an appearance for Wii U as well.