Mario returns with an amazing platformer that DS owners must have (New Super Mario Bros. (DS))

Member Name: _jlee

Product:	New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
Date:	06/08/08 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent graphics, level design, gameplay, nice multiplayer, doesn't ruin the platformer feel

Disadvantages: Game too easy?

Mario is perhaps one of Nintendo's greatest assets, and one that time after time, gets things sold even with a mere small appearance of him. During his time, Mario went from rampaging 2D platform character to a sports star to a race driver to a doctor. Anyway, Nintendo have decided to bring him back to the 2D Super Mario platform genre, with New Super Mario Bros.

Unsurprisingly, New Super Mario Bros. sold very well. The game not only brings back all the elements of the fun Super Mario Bros. games, but looking more modern and with new flair.

Mario uses these on his adventures through the eight worlds, which progressively become more challenging. Throughout the game, one must try to get Star Coins, which 3 of which are placed around around each level. On the map, between levels are regular reward stations, where players can cash in star coins for power-ups or extra lives. Also, on the map are warp cannons, which can take you to another part of the map and detours which cost Star Coins. A nice element is Mario's ability to wall jump meaning he can reach a high place by jumping between two pipes, for example.

Power-up additions include the Mega Mushroom, which makes Mario massive and able to walk through basically anything for a limited period of time, and the Mini Mushroom, which shrinks Mario so that he can go into the little cracks, jump further and collect hidden stars (and go through to secret levels). When Mario uses the Mini Mushroom though, he becomes very weak, as you might expect, and means death if you touch an enemy. Also, Mario can pop inside a shell whenever he collects a blue shell power-up, meaning he can spin his way through a lot of enemies and go faster than usual as well as protecting himself by ducking into his shell. Also, the Shell Mario is a better at swimming and moving underwater. These are used as well as the classic Fire Flower, Starman and so on.

Graphics wise, Nintendo have done very well. Most of the characters are 3 dimensional, but the game has 2D elements in it too, but it still leaves playing like a classic Super Mario game. The characters look great with smooth animation, and some dynamic movement by enemies along with great backgrounds and gameplay.

The gameplay itself is not too difficult, some people even argue that the game was made too easy. The sounds are enjoyable and fit along with the gameplay. After defeating the singleplayer, the player will learn of a button shortcut to play as Luigi, but you don't need to beat it to play as him.

As well as the great singleplayer, there are two multiplayer games. One entitled "Mario and Luigi", where two players play as Mario and Luigi, and play around a looping level collecting stars and fighting the other player. You also have powerups at your disposal, and some regular enemies to keep you on your toes. The first to a player pre-determined amount of stars or the best after a time limit wins.

The other multiplayer is a set of Mini-games, which all make use of the touch screen with Mario themed small games. Most aren't very interesting and some are actually featured in Super Mario 64 mini-games. This is up to four players and can be a bit of fun.

What Nintendo have created is a flawless Mario game, that visually looks fantastic and plays great, with some nice multiplayer games. It has received very good reviews and is very popular. It was advertised for young adults as well as children, but that doesn't mean a certain age group can't have fun with it.

Summary: Verdict: One of the must buy games for DS