::UPDATE::  This has been confirmed as complete RUMOR.  If details change, I will update you.

I apologize for any misinformation

According to “great sources,” Google is set to purchase the game publisher and distribution company Valve.  The rumors suggest that Google’s main reason for wanting to do this acquisition is the Steam platform the game publisher has created.   

What is steam?

Steam is a distribution system designed by Valve that lets you purchase and download Full games and play them through the Steam system without needing to purchase an actual disc.  Right now, Steam actually has over 800 games for download ranging from Half-life 2 to an 18 wheeler racing game.  

There has been a lot of focus on online distribution methods over the past couple of years.  Steam is the pinnacle of these efforts.  Google must see the value of this product probably within gaming and other software distribution.  

It will be interesting to see how quickly this purchase goes through, but I for one think it is a fantastic idea and a great addition to the plethora of additions Google has recently made.

Here’s the article 

Mario is the quintessential Video Game of all time.  There were games before him, but when the plump little plumber with a red hat jumped on his first goomba, the video game world changed.  Mario is the video game industry.  Anyone who knows what a video game is will undoubtedly reference Mario. 

Now, dont get me wrong, I have played every Mario game already.  I’ve beaten most of them too.  But I think it would be an interesting to go through each MAJORMario game and beat them in order.  Each level or situation has always jogged memories of my childhood in different ways.  Whether its a memory of a friend I use to know, or playing the sky level in Super Mario 3 at my Grandparents house, I think it will be interesting to experience to use these video games as a tool to reminisce on my life.

It will also be interesting to experience the changes in graphics and the engines first hand one after the other.

If I’m not too lazy, after beating each game I will post a little blog with some of my  memories from my childhood that I thought about while playing.

My plan is to play through every major Super Mario release (not including the Gameboy games).  I will go in chronological order based on intended release.

Here’s the list:

• Super Mario Brothers (NES)
• Super Mario Brothers – Lost Levels ((S)NES)
• Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)
• Super Mario Brothers 3 (NES)
• Super Mario World (SNES)
• Super Mario World 2 (SNES)
• Super Mario 64 (N64)
• Super Mario Sunshine (Gamecube)
• New Super Mario Brothers (DS)
• Super Mario Galaxy

The reason i’m leaving the Gameboy games off is because the first one IMHO really sucked, and I never played any of the later ones.  As a retrospective it would be pointless to think about games I dont remember.

Who really knows how this is going to go?  I just think it will be fun to play the games again and maybe get to know myself a little better.

I plan to start playing through the Mario games this weekend. Hell I may play Super Mario Brothers tonight.