E3 came and went, so don’t expect a plethora of new and exciting videogame announcements for awhile. Of course, “new” and “exciting” are terms used loosely. With the gaming industry the way it is, developers are more content with rehashing franchises in order to minimize risk. What does that mean for us? Well, it seems that gaming by nature will become a repetitious hobby plagued by sequels and mindless fans unwilling to try original experiences. Of course, not all developers agree that this is the course that must be charted for the videogame industry. Nintendo, for one, believes that a combination of franchise security and innovative ideas may help drag the videogame industry out of the abyss of unoriginal ideas. We here at the Hidden Palace Zone obtained an exclusive look on Mario’s latest endeavors.

Mario Tax Accountant (DS)

Similar to games such as Brain Age, Mario Tax Accountant appeals to the mainstream. With its easy to use interface and painstakingly simple gameplay, anyone can learn to file taxes and have fun simultaneously. With minigames such as W-2 Workout and W-4 Mayhem, Nintendo hopes to keep this learning experience as fun as possible. Slated for release in early April (just in time for tax season!), Mario Tax Accountant will also be utilizing Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection so you can even file your taxes online. The only drawback is getting the IRS’s friend code. Good luck with that.

Mario the Entrepreneur (Wii)

Ever wanted to become an entrepreneur, but never had the courage to invest the money? Never you fear because Mario can help you with that too (why the hell not?). After all, blowing your money on this game means that you clearly have no idea of what the value of a dollar is (in today’s economy… pretty low). Regardless, Mario can show you the ways of a true entrepreneur by teaching gamers how to rake in as much money as you can. You’ll learn of important business terms such as “milking” and “cash cow.” Mario the Entrepreneur is slated for release after the housing market rebounds, which means that we have a while.