| | by kgthdc2468, May 22, 2006 |
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In this highly-anticipated Nintendo DS title, the most recognizable plumber of all time returns to his 2D platforming roots. This game takes the same path as Sonic Rush, taking 3D models and putting them in rich 2D backgrounds. It looks...interesting, at first, but you get used to the artistic style as you continue playing. The game also takes a path that many Mario fans are used to...there is one set difficulty, and unfortunately, it is not very challenging.
Now, the Mario series has never been known for being an extremely hard gaming experience, but it had a certain catch to it that no one has been able to put their finger on. Something about Super Mario bros. 1 and 3 that separated them from the rest of the gaming pack. This game does its best to pack in styles from all of the Mario games, and it does fairly well with it, but with only 8 worlds, only six being mandatory to complete the game, and only six short stages included in each world, the game leaves you wanting more...a lot more.
I can't begin to explain how happy I was with the game initially. The story is the same as in the originals. The Princess is kidnapped(oh no!) and it is up to Mario to save the Princess from Bowser and Baby Bowser. The first world was easy, like it should be...it has been in every Mario Bros. game to date, and the initial boss fight gave me a sense of nostalgia like no other, but the game is very repetetive. Beat two stages, mini-castle. Beat mini-castle, complete two more stages, and you get to the big castle, and then Baby Bowser whisks the Princess off to a different castle. Sound familiar? It's the same story, but this is not as capturing as in Mario Bros. games from the past.
And back to the difficulty level: again, there isn't one. World 1 is very simple, and it stays that way until about World 6-7. While I will admit I lost many a life in the final world(8), it was not an issue because I already had 50 extra lives saved up. Playing this is the equivalent to playing any other platformer on easy, and it hinders the gameplay. I never really felt super challenged. I felt annoyed more than anything at the parts I died a few times trying to get past.
Do not let those deter you away from the game, however. I do not think the game has enough to encourage buying, but if you have a subscription to something like Gamefly or Netflix, and you can rent DS games, this is a title any Mario fan should check out. It captures the essence of the Mario games very well, and the platforming is fun. It also goes away from the power bar Mario that has recently come to power. That's right, they went back to the big Mario-small Mario format, making boss battles intense again.
Aside from the fun gameplay, the level design is great, and Mario has a whole new list of moves he is just dying to try out. The traditional stomp is included, as always, but Mario also adds the ground pound, wall-jumping, and all new aerial moves he can perform. The controls are very easy to master, and it all feels very natural in the end. The game also adds new power-ups to Mario's arsenal. You have the original Super Mushroom to turn into Super Mario, and starman to turn invincible for a short time, but the new Mega Mushroom allows Mario to grow to fill about half of the screen, making him practically invincible as he plows through fully-destructable landscapes. Also recently added were the Mini Mushrooms, which allos Mario to shrink to reach impossible-before areas, and a blue shell which allows Mario to get into a shell and slide around the worlds, knocking out enemies as he comes across them. While these may not seem like huge enhancements, they do affect the gameplay.
The touch screen is used primarily as a map, and it allows you to "bank" an item. i.e if you are already Fire Mario and you come across another Fire Flower, you can hold onto it in case you lose your power. This comes in handy, especially in boss encounters.
All in all, this game will have many different reviews. It will be received well by many, and not received as well by many. The game's difficulty will cause some of the "hardcore" gaming crowd to cringe, but that is not what Nintendo is looking for. Nintendo is adding another 2D adventure to Mario's belt, and they succeed on that account. While it is way too short, New Super Mario Bros. gives DS owners a relieving visit back to the days of 2D gaming. If you're a fan of Mario, then I definitely recommend it. |
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| | | by w00tl00ps, July 01, 2006 |
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New Super Mario Bros., obviously one of the most hyped titles for the Nintendo DS and this year overall. Marking Mario's return to 2D games and an actual new Mario game that isn't a port of a remake of an old NES game! But, this Mario game fell short in my eyes, as I was hyped up for a bigger and badder adventure than Super Mario World.
Instead, this journey was just too cheap and easy. For one, any of the bosses could have been easily defeated with fireballs (the most difficult boss is the World 6 boss though). Then, it was a heck of a lot easier to collect all of the "star coins" in this game than compared to past games. Despite its shortcomings, I still found this game a LOT of fun.
Whats new in this game? Mario now took his newfound abilities from the 3D Mario games and they're now here. Yep, you can Wall Kick (Super Mario 64) and Triple Jump (also Super Mario 64). Then, two new powerups, but these powerups flatout SUCK! First is the Blue Shell, you'll only need this TWICE in the game, the Blue Shell will give Mario a Koopa Troopa look. And if Mario goes fast, Mario will withdraw into his shell and spin until he loses momentum. But, this power up was klutzy. Overall, it was just junk.
Then, theres the other new powerup, the Mini Mushroom. This shroom shrinks you down to a microscopic size. This has more use in the game to get certain star coins and to secret levels. This shroom can also let Mario jump higher, access small cracks in the ground, and he can walk on water. But, Micro Mario can die easily when hit by an enemy like regular Mario.
And for you Yoshi fans, sorry, no green dinosaur here. And for those fans of feathers, winged caps, and furry raccoon suits, no flying here...
But, I applaud Nintendo for making a pretty fun game though, despite its shortcomings. Worth buying? Hells yes! Maybe its not the best Mario game ever, but it will make a great game for the Nintendo DS! |
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