Pros: Fun, exciting, inventive, creative.
Cons: None.
The bottom line: Great game for all ages.
I really like this game. It is good for "kids" of any age, and provides hours and hours of entertainment.

At first, this game can be challenging because there's so many places to explore, but after getting the hang of it, it's fun to find new hidden treasures with each new character and door.

This first 3D version of Mario is great! The graphics are clear and creative, and fighting the big 3D characters is super fun. The first discovery for this new version of Mario is that he can fly with a special cap with wings. When soaring through the air in 3D, it is obvious that the creators really put a lot of effort into making the scenery realistic and exciting. With every new turn, Mario can find new things hidden (coins and secret treasure boxes) or new bosses that have unique flaws that cause their downfall.

Two more things that are unique to this game are that Mario can walk underwater and become invisible. These are pretty cool, but I personally like the normal functions better. Another new skill that Mario acquires is the triple jump, where he can jump higher than ever before. This takes some getting used to, though, and there are a few lands that require you know how to maneuver this move before moving on.

One of my favorite things about this game is that you can kind of choose your own adventure. There are at least 8 stars in each land, and the first page of the land tells you a clue as to how to find that star. It's really handy! Therefore, since a lot of the higher levels require you to get past doors after getting a certain number of stars, you really have an unlimited number of possibilities to collect stars and advance to further levels. It is also nice because if there is something that you are stuck on, you don't have to get frustrated and stop the game (which I know has hindered me in the past) after which it goes into a corner and collects dust. You don't even need to collect all the stars to win the game!

Lastly, though I have heard rumors of getting a Yoshi to give Mario a ride upon completion of a certain number of stars, but I have over 150, and I haven't seen him.

Overall, this game is fun, exciting, and there is really a new adventure at every turn. Each level brings on new characters, skills, and even some thinking in order to win the game.