After nearly three hundred issues, Nintendo Power has finally come to an end. To send this long-running periodical off in style, the Cover Critic has decided to review every single issue. Join him as he experiences every aspect of Nintendo's journey through their magazine covers.

At first glance, it's easy to write-off this Super Mario Kart cover for being too simple and not as polished as the official artwork. But while this is far from the glory days of the Super Mario Bros. 2 cover, there are two things about this Nintendo Power design that I really love. For one thing, we finally see Bowser doing something nefarious. Normally the King Koopa feels more like an afterthought, but on this cover he is front and center. And with that determined look on his face, it's clear that Bowser will do anything to mess up Mario's day.

Speaking of things I like, let's talk about how great Donkey Kong Jr. looks on this cover. Believe it or not, this is his first appearance on Nintendo Power, but that's not stopping him from flexing his muscles and looking especially pleased after running a Koopa Troopa into a wall. This is a much more confident Donkey Kong Jr. than we're used to, and I like it. Far too often, the big hairy guy is seen looking clueless or dimwitted. But not on this cover.

As much fun as it is to see a confident Donkey Kong Jr. and spiteful Bowser, I'm disappointed there isn't more going on in this design. Endless green pastures may be fun if you're two lovers in a Jane Austen novel, but it doesn't make for a very exciting Mario Kart track. It's a good thing somebody decided to bring a banana peel, because this course appears to be one long, boring straight stretch surrounded by endless farmland. Perhaps Koopa Beach was too difficult to draw.