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Years from now, people's memories of this game will probably outshine its reality. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a quick romp that has you using Mario's impressive action moveset to complete a series of puzzle rooms. That being said, the speed of the game seems to highlight its brevity – I was smoking through worlds in no time, but didn't get all of the collectibles. I guess I could go back later to be a completist, but I'm not really that kind of girl.
Instead, I enjoyed my time collecting the toys that Donkey Kong had stolen from Toad's little factory of joy. Each of the worlds follows a basic structure: six puzzle levels each composed of two sections (get the key to the door and grab a wayward toy), followed by one Mini-Mario level where Mario gets the little Lemmings-like versions of himself to a toy chest, and the boss battle. In these sections, DK will flip color switches and drop debris on you – players have to hit the ape a certain number of times before they die. It's pretty basic stuff, really.
Where Nintendo's quality truly comes into play, though, is the level design. Large-scale puzzles with a perfect ramp up of skill acquisition and difficulty carry players through the whole quest. There are few outside the Big N who could consistently deliver this caliber of action/puzzle gameplay, and I took great joy in using each new skill I received. They are easy to use, make sense, and the level design generally makes it really apparent what move players should use in which situations. Genius!
I guess that this game doesn't bowl me over just because I felt like I was always going to finish a level in two (at the most three) attempts. Doing the math, that means a few hours of gameplay for most players – some more if you're intent on unlocking everything. I wasn't, so its time in my GBA will be limited.
Despite my hesitance to proclaim this a miracle of modern handheld puzzle gaming, I don't want to understate how well executed this title is. Mario vs. Donkey Kong offers a really good time for everyone, while it lasts.
Concept:
Update the Mario/Donkey Kong puzzlers with new moves, graphics, sound, and situations
Graphics:
Nice 3D hero models and the now-standard Super Mario Advance series' graphics
Sound:
Mario is one chatty little bugger, and the sound effects are useful for gauging the play field
Playability:
Timing is crucial and some of the puzzles are deliciously mind-bending
Entertainment:
Short, but sweet
Replay:
Moderate
Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Lisa Mason
Issue: June 2004
2nd Opinion:
This is one of the rare Mario titles that seems like it was tailored for a specific audience, rather than the masses. The feeling is very reminiscent of the arcade classic Mario Bros., and the puzzle-oriented gameplay makes me flash back to the glory days of the original Game Boy. The graphics and sound are great, but the stages only offer one ideal path through them, so most won't feel compelled to revisit them often. Of course, Mario fanatics will love this title for its clever amalgamation of classic Mario and Donkey Kong elements, and puzzle gamers will enjoy the non-repetitive levels, but others won't be so impressed. The Mario titles are famous for pushing gaming forward, while this title looks squarely backwards.
Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Jeremy Zoss
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Not much has changed since then, since Mario vs. Donkey follows the same basic format with a few twists. The new aspect of each level is that there are actually two parts with two different objectives to each level. In the first half of the level, you have to get the key in order to unlock the door in typical Donkey Kong '94 fashion. You have to manuever around enemies and spike pits to reach your objective, as well as climbing ropes similar to Donkey Kong Jr., using special-colored switches to make platforms appear, and working with conveyor belts. In the second half of each stage, you have to make your way to a Mini-Mario toy (an aspect of the simple and strange storyline). There are also three presents in each level that, if collected, will give you a chance to win extra lives at the end of each level.
The one major problem I have with the game is the controls. For the most part, they are very good, but they can be unresponsive sometimes, leading to unnecessary deaths and frustrated players. The ropes also tend to give me a fit, since you jump off in different ways depending on if you are grasping one or reaching out for another.
The challenge is very good. The first four worlds serve as an introduction, as the game doesn't start getting difficult until the fifth out of six worlds. The first four may lull you into a sense of false security, but when you get to the fifth, you'll start losing lives like crazy. The puzzles often require quite a bit of thinking and strategy. You can't just breeze through this game without a bit of thought and planning.
The game will keep you busy for quite a while. The box says that there are only six worlds, which is a bit misleading. After you finish the six worlds, you will unlock six more worlds with the same themes but different stages. In addition to this, there are many "Expert" levels that you can unlock by aquiring the high score in the normal levels. And believe me, these high scores are often not easy to get.
The graphics in the game are pretty nice, but they look a bit blocky. The backgrounds look great, though. The sound is a bit iffy, though. The music is wonderful and has many hummable themes, but the sound effects, especially Mario's voice, can be a bit grating.
All in all, the game is quite a bit of fun, and would be nearly perfect if the controls didn't have a habit of being unresponsive at key moments. It is a definite must-buy if you are a puzzle fan or have played and liked Donkey Kong '94.
Donkey Kong vs. Mario begins with Donkey Kong watching TV and he sees an advertisement for the famous toy that everybody wants. A Mini-Mario. DK decides he wants one but when the toystore is sold out he goes into a rage and decides to steal some instead. Now as Mario you have to go and retrieve all the dolls that Donkey Kong has stolen.
The game presents puzzle mixed with Action/Adventure. It also has six worlds with eight levels each. Each level begins with Mario having to find a key in the first room, and the stolen Mario doll in the next. The first room is a straight out find the key. When you do its much like Super Mario Bros. 2 in which you have to pick up the key. In the next room you've got to dodge obstacles and enemies to get to the Mario doll.
DK vs. Mario has gameplay very similar to Super Mario Bros. 2. In fact, the enemies come from SMB2 and you can pick them up and throw them. That's not all, Mario has lots of moves he can pull off. Not the same old "jumpman" anymore. Now he can do backflips, hang and balance on telephone wires and do headstands. The headstands prevent damage from falling objects. Mario can also hang on vines like in Donkey Kong Jr.
Each world has seven levels. The first six are always straightforward puzzles. But the seventh level of every world Mario has to lead the rescued Mini dolls to a toy chest. This sounds easy but you must protect the dolls. They can be harmed by natural objects and enemies in the levels. In the eighth level you fight DK.
At first the game seems short. Considering the first few worlds are easy and the levels go by very fast. But after you complete the sixth world you unlock six MORE worlds with six levels each. These levels present more of a challenge.
So there is a lot to do in the game but as I said, the game really oes present little replay. Since the game is a puzzle, the puzzles aren't as fun to solve the second time around, especially considering you won't have to think becuase you already know.
The graphics are actually beautiful and look astonishing. Sometimes they look a little blocky but they're a reminder of the graphics on the GBA version of Donkey Kong Country, only more crisp and clear.
The sound is very good. Great tunes for the levels. But as with a lot of Mario games on the GBA you'll probably get tired of Mario screaming, grunting, groaning and all that stuff. In fact, Mario's voice is more annoying than usual in this game. At least the music in the levels will eventually drown out Mario's voice. It's too bad that you can't turn it off.
Overall Donkey Kong vs. Mario is a remarkably fun game. The puzzles are fun and addictive. What the game lacks in replayability more than makes up for the amount of time you'll spend on it.
In each level, you must find a key, unlock the door, and rescue the mini mario toy . But while doing this you must overcome puzzle challenges by pressing switches, using moving platforms, and ladders. Also while killing certain enemies and dodging other enemies using mario's different moves.
Once you do this in each level in a world, you must guide the mini mario toys past enemies and through obstacles into a toy box. The toys will follow Mario anywhere, but the only things they can do are move and jump. Using switches and springs, control Mario to lead the mini mario toys into a toy box. Then you must beat DK to complete the world.
Do this in 6 increasingly difficult levels to beat the game. But once you do that, you unlock 6 new worlds at a higher difficulty level, and by getting a lot of high scores you can unlock even more worlds at an even higher difficulty level.
This game is very fun, very addicting, very challenging, and will last a long time. Mario vs. Donkey Kong deserves 5 stars for sure!
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