...but in Nintendo's world, video games will soon play themselves.

Beginning with the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii (due this holiday season), players will be able to pause a game during a particularly difficult level and let the game take over to complete the level. Press a button at any time to resume playing. This will help reduce barriers of entry for new or younger players — without purchasing a strategy guide or resorting to cheat codes.

Unavailable for comment: The dork at Gamestop who always asks if I want to pre-order a bunch of strategy guides.