The blue shell alone makes this game 5 stars. But enough about that. I like how Worlds 4 & 7 are hidden and off the beaten path or whatever. You get freedom in what order you wanna do things in, but the game is never like, "hey there's a fork in the road here you can go wherever you like isn't that cool how we laid this out for you wooooah" If you wanna do things in whatever order you want you gotta work for it. You have to beat the World 2 boss while mini to get to World 4 and you have to beat World 5 while mini or find the cannon in World 4 to get to 7. I like that better than, say, Mario Wonder where it's like "hey here's some worlds you can choose which one to do first" and they like show you all your options. Like the camera pans over to all of them. I like how this game does it better. Whenever I say I like an old game better than a new game I feel like one of those annoying "uhhh video games used to have SOUL. Now they're SOULESS." people but like agggh I just prefer the old one im sorry you know? I don't know if I'm making any sense here just ignore me and this review! Pay me no attention!
New Super Mario Bros. U delivers a classic Mario platforming experience in vibrant HD. It features familiar gameplay mechanics and level archetypes from the series' history, along with some fresh power-ups and the unique ability to play with up to five players simultaneously. While it offers a solid and enjoyable experience, it lacks the groundbreaking innovation found in some other Mario titles and can feel easier in the earlier levels for veterans of the series.
Another solid 2D Mario outing. Yes, the NSMB games went on to become stale as time progressed, but the first two hit just right as far as I'm concerned. I remember being pleased as punch when I heard 2D Mario was finally coming back after & the wait was worth it. A slew of great new songs (the overworld theme may be the best in the NSMB series), fresh ideas & the quintessential responsive control Mario platformers are known for.
For being the first traditional 2D Mario game since the 90s, this game had a lot to live up to. Games like Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros. 3 are considered classics for a reason, tight controls, whimsical design, and lots of replayability. While I think this game is a great title, I do not think it lives up to the heights of those classics.
The game looks great and the sound design is good as well, especially for a 3D game on the DS, but the worlds are quite generic and uncreative. The game controls well, however, the new power-ups for this game feel gimmicky, especially the Mega Mushroom. It does feel great to break everything in sight when you get it, but it is a glorified Invincibility Star.
The one unique aspect of this game that deserves recognition is the use of unique boss fights. Most 2D Mario games don't usually give a new boss, it is usually a Bowser fight or a fight with the Koopalings or Boom-Boom. I love that they game boss fights that were more than just the usual fare, and I wish they did it more.
Overall, this is a good game. Being able to play it on the go is great, as this is best played in small bites. However, it is not what I was expecting when seeing a new 2D Mario since Mario Land 2 and Super Mario World. If you have a DS and want a 2D platformer you definitely won't go wrong with this.
The game looks great and the sound design is good as well, especially for a 3D game on the DS, but the worlds are quite generic and uncreative. The game controls well, however, the new power-ups for this game feel gimmicky, especially the Mega Mushroom. It does feel great to break everything in sight when you get it, but it is a glorified Invincibility Star.
The one unique aspect of this game that deserves recognition is the use of unique boss fights. Most 2D Mario games don't usually give a new boss, it is usually a Bowser fight or a fight with the Koopalings or Boom-Boom. I love that they game boss fights that were more than just the usual fare, and I wish they did it more.
Overall, this is a good game. Being able to play it on the go is great, as this is best played in small bites. However, it is not what I was expecting when seeing a new 2D Mario since Mario Land 2 and Super Mario World. If you have a DS and want a 2D platformer you definitely won't go wrong with this.
Went back through this classic to pick up all of the star coins from scratch. By far the best entry in the New Super Mario Bros series, at least in terms of level creativity, it is unmatched in that regard until Wonder, but I think people really sleep on it in that regard.
I wish there was some post-game content akin to the Wii entry. "All spent" is a pretty unsatisfying reward.
I wish there was some post-game content akin to the Wii entry. "All spent" is a pretty unsatisfying reward.