Super Mario Chess

Mario and Bowser settle things on a chessboard for a change. This Super Mario Chess set swaps the usual chess pieces for 32 custom, hand-painted character figures, with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad and Bowser among the familiar faces. That’s the reason to choose it: the strategy stays chess, but the cast makes the board much more appealing to someone whose loyalties already lie in the Mushroom Kingdom.

If you know a Mario fan who actually wants to sit down and play, not just add another figure to a shelf, this is a good gift. The character pieces give you something to admire between moves, and the set comes in a collectible tin that carries the theme beyond the board. It’s still a game of thinking ahead, not racing toward a flagpole. Bring a friend who enjoys both Nintendo characters and taking your pieces.