| | by kgthdc2468, May 22, 2006 |
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In this role-reversing game, Mario and Luigi are captured and kidnapped by Bowser, and it is up to Princess Peach to do some detective work of her own to help free them. The game plays just like all the other Mario titles platforming-wise, but with a couple twists.
The major factor that will differentiate this title from other Mario platformers is the Vibe controls. The bottom screen is has four different types of emotions to choose from, each for individual scenarios. Need to water a plant? You can use the gloom vibe to make Peach bawl her eyes out. Need to light a fuse? Choose the furious vibe to make Peach angry...so angry that she has hot flashes! It seems very quirky at first, but don't knock it until you try it. These different emotions will be your tools as you navigate across the different 2D worlds.
The health system is also changed to a heart gauge, ala Legend of Zelda. You use the coins you collect in the worlds to buy upgrades to Peach's life gauge, vibe meter, and the parasol she carries around, allowing it to do different things, such as morphing into a submarine.
The worlds are beautiful and the soundtrack is brilliant, but the game is incredibly easy. If you want a real challenge, do not hit any of the helpful hint blocks, and the bosses can be a challenge as they're intended.
There are a couple minigames before boss battles that make use of the touch screen, but they're gimmicky and repetetive, exactly what Nintendo didn't want the touch screen to be used for.
All in all, it is a fun game filled with elements that have made the Mario franchise a success, but this game should not be lumped in with the franchise. This is a stand-alone game that is worth trying, but not worth buying. It also has very little replay value, as when you beat the game, it just adds more levels on to each world, and it is still not really challenging.
It's recommended, but again, it is a rent. |
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