New Super Mario Bros Review
Over a decade... It has been over a decade since Super Mario has gone on a 2D Side Scrolling Adventure. Now just take that in, how ridiculous is that? the idea that Super Mario hasn't been on something he's the KING at for that long. Well people, that's all about to change because Mario's going on his first 2D Side Scrolling Adventure since Super Mario Land: 6 Golden Coins in 1992. Yeah, you heard me, and i am not joking either, Super Mario is back, and as we know him, in 2D Platforming Awesomeness. Welcome to the Nintendo DS Game: New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros was released to the North American public on May the 15th 2006 and to the rest of the world within May to March. It is part of the Main Mario Bros series, a long with Super Mario Land and Super Mario Land 2 and the rest of the older 2D Mario Side Scrollers. So this isn't just a side project why we wait for say, Mario Galaxy, this is the real deal.
But what you want to know is, is New Super Mario Bros as fun as it should be, or should we just wait for Mario's new 3D Adventure. Well, you can do that if you wish, but i wouldn't. New Super Mario Bros is just great in every sense of the word. It brings the formula for old 2D Mario Gameplay back in the uncannily way only Nintendo could. New Super Mario Bros is so much fun to play, that i completed absolutely everything that could be completed, which is actually quite a lot, if your a hardcore fan. See, not only do you have to complete every World and Level, but you also (if you wish) can complete the game to a next level by collecting every single Gold Coin. When you have done that, and spent all the Gold Coins, which you will, you would have completed the game, and that just brings a new re playability factor to the game, which is great for Mario veterans and newcomers alike.
And this Mario Adventure doesn't just start from scratch, it recycles other Power up's, Level Designs etc from other older 2D Mario games, which is great in a sense, and then a letdown in another. Sure, its great to have some Nostalgia in the mix to, like the old Music Midi's and of course the old Mushroom and Fire Flower technique, but some things just get old after use (kind of like the 3D Zelda Formula, oh i went there). Which brings me on to my next subject, innovation. Nintendo is hugely known for there innovation in games, just look at the DS and the Nintendo Wii, but this is some New Super Mario Bros actually lacks, originality. See, Mario games are usually the games that set the standard for there Consoles alike, but this does not. Do not get me wrong here, New Super Mario Bros absolutely lives up to the 2D Legacy, but that's all it does, lives up to it, it doesn't live up to it and achieve more, it just stands there safely and says "Well... I made it", which is never a bad thing, considering how good the Mario games actually are, but still, i don't think its going to break new ground.
So the big questions, whats good, and whats bad. Well, the Graphics instantly feel right, and look great. This is a great look they have developed for this game on the DS. Polygons, Mario isn't a sprite here, which leaves room for more fluid Animation of Mario, as well as many other things. The Sound is classic, as is most Mario games. Soon you will be humming this home from School, College, University or Work, and the Gameplay is just simple Mario, simple simple 2D Mario, and you know what? its pure, Win. The Levels are amazingly well designed, with enemies fitted well at every corner, and power ups aplenty. The Worlds remind me of Super Mario Brothers 3 and Super Mario World, with the over world, and even the design of the Worlds fitting of Super Mario Brothers 3 to an extent.
In case you were wondering, of course there are weak points to the game. The game is ridiculously short, depending upon if you go to get the coins etc, this game can easily be completed in a day, maybe half a day tops, especially to the gamers knowing of Mario before, they could easily get through this in like five hours...but to be honest, that's all i can think of for a weak point, and to be honest, that isn't that bad anyway, i guess you could say its short and sweet, packs a punch. Altogether New Super Mario Bros just continues the Saga of epic Mario games, this game is a gem for the ages, and i advise anyone who has not already picked up this awesome game to get off your ass and buy this.
