Now, I’m not saying I endorse stereotypical impressions of Italian Americans – especially when they’re imitating Robert DeNiro in Goodfellas. But let me tell you, when Mario called my house just a few minutes ago to tell me to get my ass ready to pick up Super Mario Galaxy at my local Gamestop tomorrow, you better believe I was saying, “Mama mia, ya ha ha,” over the phone with him like we were long lost brothers.

Love them or loathe them, Nintendo definitely makes you feel special when you reserve one of their games. Whether it be Charles Martinet (The official voice of Mario) telling you to pick up Galaxy, or Nintendo of America President, Reggie Fils-Aime telling you your Wii’s in stock, Nintendo definitely singles themselves out from the other big two companies that don’t even consider leaving a stock message to Gamestop to send out to all their fans.

Instead, you get “James” from behind the counter telling you, “Your game will be here tomorrow at twelve. Due to its popularity, you have 48 hours to pick it up before we sell it to somebody else.”

That doesn’t make me feel like a fan. That doesn’t even make feel like I’m a person!

So, while I’ve lost a lot of respect for Nintendo over the years, hearing that message from Mario a few minutes ago tells me they haven’t lost an ounce of respect for me, their consumer.

Long live Nintendo, the once and former king!