The NES Series:

Pinball

The tiny spring pulled backwards, the small metal ball on top rolling with it. Then with a mighty sproing, the spring shot upwards, launching the ball up and out of the small side tunnel and out into the wide playing field. Lights and sounds blared while barriers sent the tiny metal sphere bouncing around in multiple directions.

After bouncing around for a few seconds, the ball eventually descended to the bottom of the field, where a pair of small wedge-shaped flippers were all that stood between the ball and a pit. Just as the ball rolled onto the edge of the flipper of the right, Villager jammed one of the buttons on the outside of the machine, sending the ball flying back up into the main body of the playing field.

Beside him, Olimar let out a long, low sigh. "Oh, come on," he said, "When is our flight going to come in already? It feels like we haven't reviewed a game in forever."

"Speak for yourself," Villager said, not daring to take his eyes off the pinball machine he was playing with for even a second. "What do you think I've been doing for the past half hour?"

"Playing an outdated game."

"Well, yes, but I'm also reviewing the old NES version of said game." As an afterthought, he added, "And pinball is not outdated."

"Whatever you say."

Villager kept playing while Olimar pulled out a small book that looked suspiciously like a diary and started writing in it. After a few minutes, Mario wandered over from the information desk.

"Alright, boys," he said, "your flight out to the Old West should begin boarding in a few minutes." He paused, a small grimace creeping across his face. "And my ex-girlfriend's flight has just arrived."

Villager stopped playing and looked up. Inside the machine, the ball slipped past the flippers and fell into the pit. "Ex-girlfriend? You mean Pauline is going to be here?"

Mario sighed. "Yes . . . unfortunately. Apparently she wants to talk about making another Mario vs. Donkey Kong game."

Villager glanced down at the pinball machine in front of him. "Hey, you two guest-starred in this game, didn't you?"

"What's that?" Mario glanced down at the machine as well. "Oh, yeah, we were. We were in the bonus area. You could get to it by knocking the ball into that little hole there in the middle of the field."

Olimar pulled his notepad from his pocket. "So, we could put her down on the list for Smash Five, right?"

"Oh, please, no," Mario said, "The last thing I need is for Peach and that woman to be in a game together. I have spent a lot of time making sure that those two remain separated."

A shrill voice echoed through the airport. "Yoo hoo, Mario."

Mario slowly turned to see a tall brown-haired woman wearing a red silk dress with a shredded bottom hem. The dress looked as though she had worn it every day since the day she was abducted by a gorilla.

Mario took a deep breath. "Hello, Pauline."

The woman wrapped her arms around Mario, pulling him into a stifling hug. "Mario," she said, planting a kiss on both of his cheeks. "It has been far too long."

Mario disentangled himself from her grasp. "Right," he said. "Um, it's nice to see you too, Pauline."

Pauline noticed Villager and Olimar. "Oh, and look, you've brought two of those cute little creatures you're friends with. I always wondered what they looked like without those mushrooms on their heads."

Olimar raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me."

"Well, come on, Mario," Pauline said, ignoring him, "we've got a game to make."

She grabbed Mario by his overall strap and pulled him away. He turned his head and cast Villager and Olimar a pleading glance.

"Think we should help him?" Villager whispered to Olimar.

Olimar checked his watch. "We could, but . . . we have a plane to catch."