Yoshi

Yoshi, also known as Mario & Yoshi in some regions, is a charming little puzzle game that gives Nintendo’s famous green dinosaur a starring role. Released for the NES in 1992, it is very different from the platforming adventures players might expect from a game carrying Yoshi’s name. Instead of running through colorful levels, you control Mario as he tries to keep a growing pile of enemies under control.

The idea is simple but surprisingly addictive. Different enemies—including Goombas, Bloopers, Boo Buddies, and Piranha Plants—fall from the top of the screen into four vertical columns. Mario can move between the columns, swapping their positions to create matching combinations. The real trick is using pairs of Yoshi eggs to trap the enemies. Once the two halves of an egg are brought together, a Yoshi hatches, and larger combinations produce bigger Yoshis and better bonuses.

At first, the game feels almost effortless. As more creatures begin falling, however, the screen can become crowded surprisingly quickly. You have to think ahead while also reacting to what is happening right in front of you. A careless move can leave one column overloaded and bring the game to an abrupt end.

There is also a two-player mode, where Luigi joins the action, adding some extra competition for players who want to challenge a friend.

Yoshi may not be one of the biggest NES titles, but its straightforward rules and quick rounds make it an easy game to pick up and play. It is a nice reminder that Nintendo could take a familiar character and build a completely different style of game around them.