New Super Mario Bros. (DS) Review
Posted by Caleb Newby on 07.16.2006
Mario and Luigi are back in their first all new traditional platformer in nearly 15 years! Has it been worth the wait, or has time left this genre behind?
Mario is back! And I’ve made a startling discovery. I once thought playing a classic Mario sidescroller was like riding a bike. In my youth I dominated these games, confident the good times would always be there, and I would stand atop the Mario game collection as king of the Mushroom Kingdom. For years I have held this belief unquestioned. That is, until the first traditional Super Mario game in over 10 years came out for the Nintendo DS.
Graphics
The graphics in New Super Mario Bros (NSMB) are crisp, clean, and colorful. It brings back memories of previous games in the series (most notably Super Mario 3) but with a fresher look. Let me just add, the thrill of running through a stage as giant Mario as debris flies off in your wake is extremely enjoyable. The graphics serve their purpose in flying colors (pun intended).
Gameplay
This is where a platformer shines, and does NSMB ever shine bright. The level designs are intuitive and full of secrets and surprises. Each level has three giant coins to collect that allow Mario to unlock different worlds or mushroom houses on the overhead map. In addition, there are hidden power-ups, coins, and paths to complete a level that entice you to go back to previous stages to find the secrets you’ve missed.
New abilities also enhance the gameplay. The previously mentioned giant mushroom makes Mario grow to the full size of the DS screen. A mini mushroom shrinks Mario down to microlevels where he can access areas otherwise inaccessible. There is also a koopashell Mario can slide into. Run and duck while wearing this suit and watch Mario slide all over the stage. Just be careful, as you can easily find yourself sliding down into a pit if you are not careful.
Sound
When it comes to judging the sound in a game like this, I am most concerned with it not getting on my nerves. Thankfully it doesn’t. In classic Mario fashion, we have the happy, chipper tones of the outdoor worlds, the more methodic melodies for water stages, and the eerie music for ghost filled castles.
Sound effects are exactly as you remember them which is a good thing. Stomping goombas, falling in a pit, or sliding down the end-of-stage flagpole are all wonderfully familiar.
Lasting Appeal
It’s Mario! How many times did you go back and play your old Mario games even after you’d beaten it? Because this game keeps the level of quality that you would expect from the Super Mario Bros franchise, it will be one of the most reused games in your DS game collection. The number of mini-games serve as a pleasant diversion, and if you have a friend with NSMB as well, you can take part in various challenges head to head.
Fun Factor
Recently as I’ve gotten together with friends this has been the game everyone has wanted a turn with. People that don’t usually play games want to play NSBM… because it is fun. A simple concept wrapped up in an accessible package that most 20-somethings have grown up with, and most of their parents should remember seeing monopolizing their television screens. In an age of bloodier, more violent, and racy video games, it is refreshing to play something so simple, enjoyable, and innocent that still gives a challenge and is a joy to experience.
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve found my Mario “skillz” have declined over the years and I probably have died more than I thought I would and had to restart a stage several times on occasion. Due to the inclusion of mid level check points, the frustration never mounted too high as I was not forced to go through the entire stage from scratch.
The 411
Whether your first Mario adventure or just the latest, this is a must have game for the Nintendo DS. Classic Mario action has been revived and done so nearly flawlessly. Outside of a few small personal preference issues (I would have loved to have seen the raccoon suit included) this is as perfect as they come. Bundled with multiplayer options as well as a large selection of mini-games ensure NSMB will spend more time in the DS than in the box.
Graphics
9.0
Graphics are exactly what they need to be, fun and colorful.
Gameplay
10.0
New twists added to the familiar formula make the gameplay perfect.
Sound
9.0
Upbeat, and most importantly not annoying soundtrack bring back the old days of Nintendo gaming.
Lasting Appeal
10.0
Like its predecessors, you will find yourself coming back over and over again to see what secrets you have missed.
Fun Factor
10.0
A positively enjoyable experience reminds you why you loved these games to begin with.
