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ACCC clears Optus to scrap HFC network and use NBN instead

The ACCC has cleared, provisionally, the proposed deal between Optus and NBN Co under which Optus is to be paid around $800m to shut down its HFC network and transfer customers onto the NBN. read more

Hands On: Zelda Spirit Tracks and New Super Mario Bros Wii

Entertainment



Finally it was off to the Wii to have a waggle at New Super Mario Bros.  We got classic Mario 2D game-play, ratcheted up by having four players on screen at once.

The mayhem of several levels were on show, from the excellent Egyptian desert, to the icy polar caps (and associated Penguin suits) via classic Mario Land themed levels all your nostalgic fun is here to explore. 

Popping the floating mushrooms gave players extra power, a mad scramble ensues for the scattered mushrooms and other power-ups, adding to the chaos.  Players that fell to their doom, or were pummelled by a Kapoopa, return in a bubble of their own, hopping to be rescued by fellow players.

We experienced Mario, his brother Luigi and the two Toad characters cooperating – and sometimes competing – to get to the flag in time.  Propeller suits launch the lads high into the sky, and tilt bridges, controlled by the first player to get there, caused a mixture of delight and yes, sometimes mild frustration in your fellow Mushroom Kingdomites.

Like Super Smash Bros Brawl, Nintendo will have a barely controlled chaotic winner on their hands when New Super Mario Bros is released for the Wii in November.

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