Post by Panique on Sept 10, 2006 23:37:46 GMT -5
Enjoy an extremely old review I did on my reviews site - which has deteriorated, this was the only review XD - but no one replied to. So, enjoy, it's long. So get a soda now.
Nintendo has done it again - another great Mario/Princess themed game that you can't put down. Yes, that's right, Bowser's at it again, capturing Peach - but this time, it's Bowser Junior!! This game leads on using the two-dimensional platform gameplays, just like the original Mario games. Bowser Jr. leads you through 8 worlds (some of which can be skipped) of mayhem, each with a few levels, a fort (two in some worlds), and a final castle, including a unique boss.
The levels are the usual; the objective being to get to the end to open up the next level in order. The forts are sort of halfway points, more of a mini castle, to 'prepare' you for the world's final castle. After the fort (or forts, some of the later worlds contain two forts) a few more levels, then finally the castle.
NSMB makes good use of the DS's best features - the two screens. While the top screen displays the gameplay and the level, the bottom screen shows a guage of how far you've progressed in the current level, and how many star coins you have (star coins will be explained later). The bottom screen also features one stored item, which can be touched with the stylus - when it is, the stored power-up will drop from directly above Mario at the time.
The enemies in NSMB are almost too cute to demolish! The 3d effects on them are perfect, shadowing is a great graphics feature. A cute feature of the general enemies of this game is that they tend to 'move with the music', with every recurring beat in a level's theme music, the enemies will all do an action (just a small, quick one, but can help with timing for jumps, etc) such as a small hop (goombas), a roll (cheep cheeps) and stopping and turning towards the screen (koopas). As usual, the general enemies such as the ones listed above aren't too smart, most will just continue to go one way until it runs into something and turns around, or falls off. Some will stay on a particular platform and just go back and forth on that one. Unfortunately, that's not all you have to deal with. The annoying fireballing pirahna plants are back - and they know how to aim. Their fireballs are aimed at the position of Mario when fired, and they continue to head that way until off the screen. Should one hit Mario, he will go 'down a level' (special mario > big mario > small mario > lose a life) as per usual.
As mentioned above, there is a storage system. You can store up to one item on the touch screen below. This can be done if you are special Mario and you obtain a special item - the item, when picked up, will go straight to the touch screen. It may get annoying every time you glance down to the touch screen to see "Touch me!" appearing in a speech bubble, but unless you need the power-up, ignore it. It will be worth it, especially in the fort and castle levels.
Also mentioned earlier were the boss stages featured in each world. Every fort and castle holds a boss at the end of it (obviously, the castle bosses are the final world bosses so they are understandably more difficult to defeat). Unfortunately, the boss enemies are mildly smarter than the regular level enemies so you will need to watch out for their attacks. Usually, it will be a good idea to make yourself into fireball mario before battling with a boss; most of them can be attacked and killed with a few quick fireball shots.
In NSMB, there are a few power ups. As in most Mario games, there is the Mushroom - transforming you from small Mario to big Mario. Also included:
Tiny mushroom: Transforms Mario into a tiny state, allowing him access to certain small warp pipes and areas. Mario transforms back into big Mario when he grabs a normal mushroom.
BIG mushroom: Transforms Mario to a huge size for a short time, allowing him to thunder through the level and cause destruction. After a short while, he goes back to normal and depending on how much destruction caused, you receive up to three extra lives.
Fire flower: Same as the earlier games, transforms Mario into a arsonist. Well, close enough. Gives him some new spiffy overalls (red and white, ooh!) and the ability to throw fireballs at enemies - and, well, anything else really.
Another special 'pick-up' feature are star coins. There are 3 in each level, including castles and forts. You can collect these star coins and obtain entry to 'Mushroom houses' where you get a free power-up stored in the touch screen that can be used on a level.
The graphics are good, they have a very clean look about them. As mentioned before, shadowing effects can be seen; they really add to the graphics. Bright colours and 3d modules also improve the overall attractiveness of the game, along with a shiny new soundtrack - including some old school Mario tunes.
You can save up to three files on the game chip, each displays the current world you're up to. The only hard part about saving is that you can only do so after completing a fort or castle, which can prove itself difficult at times when you have to save fast. Believe me, you'll be annoyed when you want to try the fort again and have to plough through 3 levels first. But it's all part of the challenge.
The game can be played multiplayer using the built in DS connections or a WiFi connection. Up to 4 people can participate in these events. Fairly straightforward, using these gives you two gaming options - battles or multiplayer. Battles are fun, you can choose or get randomly put on a level and a star will appear. The aim is obviously to get the star first, when someone does, another will appear. Stars can also be 'shoved' out of someone by jumping/attacking them.
Multiplayer games are just mini-games; they can be played single player or multiplayer. They're basically for when you're stuck on a level, don't want to put the game down, and just need a break. Action, puzzle, even table games, there's a wide range of choices to choose from.
That's basically New Super Mario Bros. in a (long) nutshell. I've enjoyed myself immensely playing it so far, and if you're considering buying it I'd suggest checking the official website or a gaming forum for more information.
New Super Mario Bros
Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
Nintendo has done it again - another great Mario/Princess themed game that you can't put down. Yes, that's right, Bowser's at it again, capturing Peach - but this time, it's Bowser Junior!! This game leads on using the two-dimensional platform gameplays, just like the original Mario games. Bowser Jr. leads you through 8 worlds (some of which can be skipped) of mayhem, each with a few levels, a fort (two in some worlds), and a final castle, including a unique boss.
The levels are the usual; the objective being to get to the end to open up the next level in order. The forts are sort of halfway points, more of a mini castle, to 'prepare' you for the world's final castle. After the fort (or forts, some of the later worlds contain two forts) a few more levels, then finally the castle.
NSMB makes good use of the DS's best features - the two screens. While the top screen displays the gameplay and the level, the bottom screen shows a guage of how far you've progressed in the current level, and how many star coins you have (star coins will be explained later). The bottom screen also features one stored item, which can be touched with the stylus - when it is, the stored power-up will drop from directly above Mario at the time.
The enemies in NSMB are almost too cute to demolish! The 3d effects on them are perfect, shadowing is a great graphics feature. A cute feature of the general enemies of this game is that they tend to 'move with the music', with every recurring beat in a level's theme music, the enemies will all do an action (just a small, quick one, but can help with timing for jumps, etc) such as a small hop (goombas), a roll (cheep cheeps) and stopping and turning towards the screen (koopas). As usual, the general enemies such as the ones listed above aren't too smart, most will just continue to go one way until it runs into something and turns around, or falls off. Some will stay on a particular platform and just go back and forth on that one. Unfortunately, that's not all you have to deal with. The annoying fireballing pirahna plants are back - and they know how to aim. Their fireballs are aimed at the position of Mario when fired, and they continue to head that way until off the screen. Should one hit Mario, he will go 'down a level' (special mario > big mario > small mario > lose a life) as per usual.
As mentioned above, there is a storage system. You can store up to one item on the touch screen below. This can be done if you are special Mario and you obtain a special item - the item, when picked up, will go straight to the touch screen. It may get annoying every time you glance down to the touch screen to see "Touch me!" appearing in a speech bubble, but unless you need the power-up, ignore it. It will be worth it, especially in the fort and castle levels.
Also mentioned earlier were the boss stages featured in each world. Every fort and castle holds a boss at the end of it (obviously, the castle bosses are the final world bosses so they are understandably more difficult to defeat). Unfortunately, the boss enemies are mildly smarter than the regular level enemies so you will need to watch out for their attacks. Usually, it will be a good idea to make yourself into fireball mario before battling with a boss; most of them can be attacked and killed with a few quick fireball shots.
In NSMB, there are a few power ups. As in most Mario games, there is the Mushroom - transforming you from small Mario to big Mario. Also included:
Tiny mushroom: Transforms Mario into a tiny state, allowing him access to certain small warp pipes and areas. Mario transforms back into big Mario when he grabs a normal mushroom.
BIG mushroom: Transforms Mario to a huge size for a short time, allowing him to thunder through the level and cause destruction. After a short while, he goes back to normal and depending on how much destruction caused, you receive up to three extra lives.
Fire flower: Same as the earlier games, transforms Mario into a arsonist. Well, close enough. Gives him some new spiffy overalls (red and white, ooh!) and the ability to throw fireballs at enemies - and, well, anything else really.
Another special 'pick-up' feature are star coins. There are 3 in each level, including castles and forts. You can collect these star coins and obtain entry to 'Mushroom houses' where you get a free power-up stored in the touch screen that can be used on a level.
The graphics are good, they have a very clean look about them. As mentioned before, shadowing effects can be seen; they really add to the graphics. Bright colours and 3d modules also improve the overall attractiveness of the game, along with a shiny new soundtrack - including some old school Mario tunes.
You can save up to three files on the game chip, each displays the current world you're up to. The only hard part about saving is that you can only do so after completing a fort or castle, which can prove itself difficult at times when you have to save fast. Believe me, you'll be annoyed when you want to try the fort again and have to plough through 3 levels first. But it's all part of the challenge.
The game can be played multiplayer using the built in DS connections or a WiFi connection. Up to 4 people can participate in these events. Fairly straightforward, using these gives you two gaming options - battles or multiplayer. Battles are fun, you can choose or get randomly put on a level and a star will appear. The aim is obviously to get the star first, when someone does, another will appear. Stars can also be 'shoved' out of someone by jumping/attacking them.
Multiplayer games are just mini-games; they can be played single player or multiplayer. They're basically for when you're stuck on a level, don't want to put the game down, and just need a break. Action, puzzle, even table games, there's a wide range of choices to choose from.
That's basically New Super Mario Bros. in a (long) nutshell. I've enjoyed myself immensely playing it so far, and if you're considering buying it I'd suggest checking the official website or a gaming forum for more information.
