Also known as "quick reveries"

Jeff Ryan’s Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America reads like a roller coaster. Nintendo of America strapped in for a thrill-ride not exactly knowing how it would end up. The initial climb was scary; NOA took serious gambles by revamping an Arcade game already existing and already failing. The result: Donkey Kong and a man in overalls who would soon take over the world sent Nintendo over the crest and into an exciting journey full of ups and downs.

When Nintendo was up, they were really up. Consequently, when they were down, they were really down. What saved them consistently and kept the ride going were Mario and the gameplay that came with him. Shigeru Miyamoto always focused on the gameplay. Make it fun. By doing so, he introduced techniques that to this day are industry standards.

Jeff Ryan followed Miyamoto’s example and created a work of fun. Rife with puns and anecdotes, Super Mario is a quick read, pushing the reader (like a roller coaster at 70 mph) towards the goal. Ryan’s witty inserts mimic the carefree attitude Nintendo’s famous plumber employs with his big eyes and constant smile.

Also notable (and highly enjoyable) are Ryan’s historical inserts connecting his story with America’s culture. For example, Nintendo declined permission to bring Mario into the PC world and as a result, the very men Nintendo said no to became the ones responsible for classics such as Wolfenstein 3D, Quake and Doom. These historical tie-ins mirror the writings of Erik Larson by adding a richness to a work already brimming with information and excitement.

Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America is an obvious must-read for any fan of Nintendo and its beloved Italian mascot. It is a valuable read for Sony and Microsoft fans as well. Nintendo saved the video game industry and paved the way for both the Xbox and the Playstation. The Nintendo roller coaster thrill-ride hasn’t ended and won’t be ending anytime soon.