Customer Reviews

New Super Mario Bros

5 star:		(425)
4 star:		(96)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I grew up on Super Mario Bros... Super Mario Bros 2... Super Mario Bros 3... Super Mario World... Super Mario 64... and then for a while I quit playing Nintendo. It was the time of PS2 and XBox, and I have not played a Nintendo game in several years now.

I bought my youngest son a Nintendo DS not long ago - and this was one of the games I got him for it.

Unlike most nostalgic feelings - this has been a real treat to revisit this part of my childhood. My son was playing it, and asked me to get him past a certain part. I was immediately hooked and continued playing until I had beat several more levels. Since then I have been grabbing his DS at every opportunity and playing further along - and am about halfway through the game so far.

It is classic Mario - if you ever played any of the original games you'll know the score - however new music, some new moves (downward slams, wall jumping, etc.) as well as delightful moments such as getting the super big mushroom which makes Mario as tall as the screen - while you laugh like crazy and burst through everything - walls, blocks, enemies, etc. like King Kong on crack add a whole new depth to the game - and keep the 80's classic fresh in its newest form. If you grew up on the old games like I did - you will squeal with delight when you see a new enemy that was only in a select level or two from one of the older games - that brings the memories back fresh.

I am extremely pleased at how such a classic character can be brought back in a fresh new way - and invigorate this franchise which is still going strong after two, nearly three decades.

I had absolutely no interest in the Nintendo DS and only bought my son one because he had been really good this year. Now that I've tried out this game - I find myself browsing through Amazon for new DS games to try.

I wholeheartedly recommend this game for the DS... although I will warn you that you will find yourself wanting to feed your new addiction with more games for the system.

There are sometimes where you look at classic video games, and how much they've impacting the gaming industry. While there are great games out there that have been well-receieved like Halo, Doom, Madden '06, and others that've really shown a great depth of universal appeal. That has definitely also been the case with Mario. Since 1981, as Jumpman in Donkey Kong, Mario has been the most universal of all the video game characters and personas ever, and continues to develop with the times. That also has been shown with the Nintendo DS as well. The breakout success of Nintendo's latest handheld system has really been a great transition to how we play video games on hand with the stylus, and appeal of the dual screen action. Now, Mario is set to have that classic feeling all over again.

New Super Mario Brothers for the Nintendo DS brings a updated appeal to Mario, loosely based on the classic 2-D games he has been widely known for from Super Mario Brothers 1, 2, 3. and Super Mario World from the Super NES era. The object is just like the object from before, as you play Mario or Luigi, and try to go after Bowser and Bowser Jr. from stealing Princess Toadstool a.k.a. Peach. The game features over 80 different levels of exciting, and enjoyable gameplay. The game includes the classic moves from previous titles like the ground pounding (Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine), and the carrying turtle shells to defeat Koopa Troopas and Goombas (Super Mario Brothers), as well as new features like the mega mushroom which can turn Mario into a King Kong size, to really pound and knockout your competition. The graphics and the gameplay are just absolutely breathtaking and amazing, and really delivers what had been done from the early Mario titles before, while the sound is just purely classic. The control also is percise and in tune to each movement of Mario and company.

All in all, this is the second full length Mario adventure title to really deliver well for the Nintendo DS. Like what happened with Super Mario 64 DS did to showcase the brilliance of the DS, New Super Mario Brothers delivers the fun and appeal of a classic game, to a whole new generation of gamers. I definitely think this is one of the most definitive titles available for the Nintendo DS, and I really definitely think it should be a standard to your Nintendo DS library.

Graphics: A

Sound: A-

Control: A+

Fun & Enjoyment: A+

Overall: A 1/2+

I need to warn everyone that my wife and I are both old enough to have been fans of the orginal Mario... but we are still young to love the newest version in the series.


Sometimes you just have to get back to the basics - and that is exactly what happens with this newest Mario installment. Nintendo has taken the best features of the first three Super Marios (with some new features too!) and blended them into one great game.

Pros-

- All new version of an great favorite
- Interesting twists
- nice graphics for a hand held game
- Decent game length
- very fun mini games

Cons-

- Game isn't too challenging for your average gamer
- Most of the mini games are repeats

As a whole - the game is well worth the $35 and will supply many hours of great game play.

In the beginning Nintendo created Mario, and he was good. So good in fact that he's often credited with saving video gaming in the mid 80's. Mario wrote the book on side scrolling platformers but after years of ruling the roost decided to move on to the realm of 3D leaving others to carry on the tradition. Some pretenders to the throne were good and some not so good but in the back of our collective minds we all knew that Elvis had left the building. Well, the King is back and it's as if he never even left.

The oddly named "New" Super Mario Bros launches players' right into the action. After a short 10 second cut scene of the princess being kidnapped (AGAIN) `World 1-1' is ready to go and it feels so right after 15 years of waiting. There are Goomba's and Koopa Troopa's, toadstools and green pipes, swimming levels and fire plants and coins galore. To all those people who think that the graphics are only a slight improvement on Mario's previous side scrolling adventures I would urge them to pop Mario 2 or 3 into the DS and be amazed at the difference. The new adventure is much more vibrant, colorful and organic with toadstools that dance and sway and water graphics that are absolutely stunning. Mario has some new snazzy moves including the ability to bounce of walls and my favorite, the [...] stomp. Instead of smashing bricks from the bottom Mario can now drop from above and in the case of multi-coin bricks Mario can smack down on it and coins just pour out. Both of these are awesome additions that open up all new playing potential.

I have a few slight issues with the game. First, the side to side movement doesn't seem as tight as I remember from previous Mario games. Mario doesn't stop on a dime anymore, he kind of slides to a stop as if the levels were coated in a thin layer of ice. I suppose this is more realistic but it gave the game sort of a loose, floaty feel until I got used to it. The other issue I have is with saving. Rather than saving after every level you save intermittently when you cash in coins or finish a tower or castle. I'm not sure why they made this change but it seems like a rather poor decision on a system that's intended to be played in potentially short bursts.

Despite a couple of griping points NSMB may well be the greatest side scroller ever and a welcome addition to the Mario legacy. I can't tell you how much joy it brought me to play a new side scrolling Mario game and this has definitely been one of the toughest games on the DS to peel myself away from. Go get it and relive the glory years of Mario with an all new adventure.

It's been fifteen years since Mario had a completely original 2D side-scroller with him as the star. There were ports of his 2D adventures brought to the Gameboy Advance, but that was about it. There was also Yoshi's Island on the Super Nintendo (and later released on the Gameboy Advance), but really, that was more of a "Yoshi" game. Anyway, New Super Mario Bros. is without a doubt one of the finest Nintendo DS games out there. Fans of the classic Mario games will absolutely love this.

As usual, Princess Toadstool has been kidnapped. By Bowser Jr. who is just like his father. Now the brothers have to go and save her and defeat the King Koopa, along with his son. For those expecting a storyline... there is none! This is where the classic feel begins to come in. Mario, you've got to understand, isn't about story. It's about gameplay, and that's where New Super Mario Bros. hits high.

The game spans eight worlds, and a lot of classic gameplay comes back along with new additions that make the game interesting to play. Mario still has basics such as the flower, but he also has some new moves he can do as well. For one, he can grab a Mega-Mushroom and become the size of the DS screen and trample through all his enemies and the environment. Mario can also hop inside a blue koopa troopa shell. The shell allows him to traverse across the landscape just like a shell would if he were to kick it. There is also a Mini-Mushroom that once Mario grabs a hold of, he'll shrink to be able to fit into places that otherwise can't be accessed. Mario also has some moves from Super Mario 64. The ground pound, for stomping blocks from atop and the wall jump. These moves aren't just there, either. There will be times in the game when you'll have to use them. Also from Super Mario 64 is the triple jump. The only downside the vast amount of moves and items Mario can hold is simple: There's no item that allows him to fly.

The touchscreen isn't really needed to play the game at all. Mario can store an item on the bottom screen. Touching it with your stylus simply makes it fall from the sky for him to grab. Very similar to Super Mario World. That's all the touch screen is used for in this game. It's not really a bad thing unless you happen to be someone who thrives on the touch screen.

The eight worlds are huge as well. There's an overworld map very similar to Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. Select a stage and jump right in. For those only going to the goal, the game isn't all that hard at all. If you just want to go for the goal, the game is rather simple. However, just going for the goal will cause you to miss out on half the fun of the game. Two worlds, for example, aren't accessed by traditional means. In other words, if you want to see all of the game, you can't just go to the flagpole in every level. You'll have to actually work to see all the game has to offer. There's a lot of work to be done to master New Super Mario Bros. For starters, some levels, much like Super Mario World, have more than one exit. There are also special coins scattered throughout levels that you'll have to collect in order to reach secret pathways along the world map. This is where most of the games challenge comes from. Most of these special coins aren't easy to grab and involve you taking a few risks. The game manages to keep you busy for a while, provided you're not just heading for the goal. All together, this game presents you with 80 levels, all of them full of secrets.

Each level also has it's own natural disasters. There are some of your normal enemies. Also along the way are natural disasters such as rolling hills and whirlpools in the underwater levels. Enemies also come in various sizes. So just because you've seen one goomba one size, doesn't mean he can't be bigger. Most boss fights, however, are a little on the predictable side, but they're still a lot of fun to play.

The only other thing that keeps New Super Mario Bros. down is how save management is done. You can save after a castle, warp, tower or after you've spent five star coins to bypass a sign. But you can only save from each spot once. So if you find yourself having to save and you've already cleared a castle, you can't clear that same castle again to save. This doesn't really cause problems, but if you find yourself in a tight situation you'll wish it was just like the Mario Advance games when you could save just about anywhere.

Aside from the games spectacular levels, there is also a multiplayer feature that allows one person to be Mario and the other to be Luigi in a competition. Competing against your friend is a lot of fun. You'll both go into an arena and try to collect five stars. There are five arenas in all, and collecting stars from your friend can be a fun task. It can be addicting as well. Also thrown in are those mini-games from Super Mario 64 DS. However, even these mini-games have been tweaked, and trust me, it's for the better. The mini-games from Super Mario 64 DS can also be used in wireless play now for you to compete against your friends. If you already found these mini-games addictive before, you might want to try them in multiplayer mode. They get better. Even better, to play multiplayer only requires that one person have the game. The rest is done through the DS's download play.

Graphic wise, New Super Mario Bros. looks great. One of the best-looking side scrolling games out there. It's a perfect bland of 2D side scrolling with 3D effects. The enemies are all 3D, and so are most of the landscapes. But you'll tackle them in classic side-scrolling feel. Most of the background effects are 2D, and they look fantastic as well. Everything is colorful and vibrant. It's also thanks to this 3D engine that Mario can do half the things he can do.

And then there's the music. Mario fans can bask in nostalgia. Most of the music is remixed, and it's remixed quite well, I must say. Some enemies will also change their behavior based on the background music (they might jump to the beat). The soundtrack is just a blast to listen to, and might fill old school gamers with a lot of fond memories. Mario also has a voice, as usual. And like some of his games on the Gameboy Advance, they get old after a while. Most gamers probably won't mind, though.

Overall, this is by far one of the best title to reach the Nintendo DS. Mario is back to his side-scrolling roots and it's more impressive than any of us could've dreamed. New antics and level designs keep it from being a repeat of what Mario could do in his 16-bit and 8-bit days. Put simple, there's a new adventure here for everyone, those new to the series as well as those who are long time fans. New Super Mario Bros. is a treat. This is a DS title everyone should own.

The Good
+Nostalgia
+Superb Graphics
+Fantastic Gameplay
+Great Multiplayer elements
+There's a lot of stuff to do
+The mini-games of Super Mario 64 DS are now multiplayer
+A long lasting adventure with 80 levels
+A great remixed soundtrack
+Mario has a lot of new moves
+More than just a repeat of the classic Mario formula

The Bad
-There's no item that allows Mario to fly
-Mario's voice gets old and tiresome to hear after a while
-No Save Anywhere Feature

This is an experience every DS owner should partake in.

So far I'm on world 4. I bought this game the day it came out (actually, I preordered it before that) and have enjoyed it since though haven't found the time to completely indulge in it.

If you like Mario, if you like video games, you'll like this one. I was honestly surprised at how challenging the game is (I rated the 'fun' a 4 because I sometimes get very frustrated when I can't beat a level and thus it turns out to not be so fun). This is probably because I also have Super Princess Peach and, while I loved playing that game (I have since completed it), it was much much easier than Super Mario Brothers by far. When falling into a hole with Peach, you can just hit her joy emotion and she will fly upwards. Mario, on the other hand, will do no such thing except fall in the hole and die (bummer).

The 2D adventure plays like older Mario games with some new twists. The levels are very cool and have incorporated a few new enemies as well as new abilities. There is now a mushroom that makes Mario very tiny so that he can fit into special pipes which are also very small. This is primarily a new feature. This, I believe, is also the first side scrolling Mario where Mario is able to do the wall kick jump. You'll remember that move from Mario 64. There is also a box on the touch screen that holds one power (i.e. fire) so that you can grow larger in case you mess up (and you will). I like this feature, but it is not new. What is new are the minigames and the versus mode.

Super Mario Brothers for the DS does not use the touch screen very often. You can use the touch screen to switch to different worlds (you can do this easily - you don't need any special equipment to switch worlds) or to get your extra power that I mentioned before.

One thing that annoys me about SMDS is the fact that you can only save the game after a castle, ghost house, or if you use your coins (5 coins are usually required - there are 3 per stage). This often keeps me from playing the game when I only have small periods of time because I know it may be a little bit until I get to save it and there is no point in wasting my time and efforts (or coins) to beat a stage when it will just get lost. This is not new to Mario really, but some of his games will allow you to save at any time (Super Princess Peach does).

All in all I'm very happy with the game. It's a fun investment and one of the top games out for the DS. Mario games do dominate the DS.

Alright, now when will there be a Donkey Kong DS?

I have always loved Mario, and when I purchased my new Nintendo DS Lite, I bought this with it. This game is absolutely amazingly fun! The graphics, sound, and the game itself are incredible. This game is good for any adult or child. Although for a younger child, it might be a bit more difficult and possibly frustrating. ;) With this game you have to try some of the harder levels over again, and possibly again after that. But every time you try again, you understand something new about the level, and it really is fun. There also are the features of becoming Mega Mario and Mini Mario which mixes things up every once and a while. This game is wonderful, definitely a great buy.

Its been going on for years and even still. They still find a way to bring some fresh and new thing to the series. Myself i found New Super Mario Bros. to be very good and while there were a couple points in the game that i wasnt really fond of. It in no way detracts from the overall fun of the game. With a lot of the old staple enemies back for another round, Bowser (obviousl), his son (little annoying thing), goombas and various other enemies that most SMB fans will know from sight. What i like about this one in particular is how each of the worlds are different and this requires you to alter your game play. Like on the ice world you can't go flying through the stages and expect to make it through in one piece. While on the stage with the volcano erupting around you and rocks flying in the air destroying any and everything. You have to move quickly while avoiding or dispatching the enemies that are there as well. Which isnt hard in of itself but these enemies are bombs so if they get lit by the crashing rocks. They ignite and will run your way to bomb the mess outta you and take you out depending on whether you pay attention to them of course.

Also each of the different worlds has various areas that you need to have a certain number of stars to access. Like one where you can get extra items and another where you can get a mad number of extra lives (my favorite). You pay the star toll (5) and get access to it. You go in and there you have six blocks that get scrambled around. Each one of the blocks has either an extra life, a times 3 which gives you three, a times 2 which doubles your extra lives that you can get and the one you want to avoid. The bowser block that stops your run right there...you still get what you collected before hitting that block. But if you didnt get anything then its over and the area disappears from the map. Luckily you can save before going in there (for those that dont like the outcome) and can reset. I don't myself but its up to you.

There are eight worlds to explore throughout the game. You don't have to access all the worlds in order to finish the game. There were a couple worlds that i didnt even go to. It's pretty much up to as far as what you want to go through or not. I would advise going through them all if only to gain more lives (but not necessary). Also you can always go back into the worlds that you've already beaten and play them through again however many times you want to. Also a good way to build up your extra life total as well. You are also able to start at the mid point of a level once you make it halfway through a level as evidenced by a mushroom flag that pops up on your screen while your playing. So even if you die you dont have to redo all that you just accomplished.

I found myself remembering back to when i first started playing Mario Bros. back in the day. It's still that good and can't help but hope for so much more in the future whether it be on the DS, Wii or whatever other system they decide to release it on. Because from the ending i saw it leaves things wide open for a sequel.

Love it and hope for a lot more SMB in the future. Excellent purchase for the price and its a game that you can allow your children to play as well. There's a bit of rough stuff in the game but nothing that should keep a kid from being able to play this game. Not that its just for kids cause that's not the case...just saying. New Super Mario Bros. is kid friendly. So enjoy, remember when and have a blast SMB will take you there and back again...over and over!!

I mainly bought this game because of the mini games. I had so much fun with them on the Super Mario version. I was dissapointed to see they were repeats, but they are still fun, of course. Anyway, I started to play the actual game and i was just blown away. I read the other reviews and I was expecting some real downers like the game being too short and other problems, but I have to dissagree. Even though the game reminds me mostly of Super Mario 3 of the original Nintendo, it has a lot of elements with the very first Super mario game. For instance, it has 8 worlds, a castle of course being at the end of each world, and a flag you jump to at the end of each level. Like the future Mario games, there are more than four levels in each world. What's cool is, you can go back to these levels and explore things you missed the first time. I like that there is a mushroom that makes you a giant and a mushroom that makes you a tiny mario. I thought it was cool when I saw the teeny tiny pipe only little mario can squeeze into. Anyway, like the original mario game, the first level in the world is rather easy, but gets harder with each level until you get to the castle. I'm still on World two, because I'm not getting the three special coins in all the levels and I'd like to unlock some bonuses with them. My favorite part of the game is the fact that you can save a flower power, big mushroom, mushroom etc on the lower screen (only one at a time though) and when your guy is in trouble, touch it and down if falls on mario. Also, every time you go into a pipe, unless it shoots you into the sky, mario goes down and the game appears on the lower screen. I think that was a very cool idea. It's just a really fun game. It's worth every penny. I can overlook that he cant fly, because he couldn't in the original mario game, but he becomes a giant, so who cares. Everything you have to do is where you can reach it most of the time. So in conclusion, I only gave four stars overall because, the mini games are repeats and I agree with other critics that it's annoying when you can't save from anywhere. That's why I try to get all the special coins. When you have five coins, you can unlock a bonus spot in the game, and before you get your bonus, they ask you if you want to save. You also can save when you defeat a castle or the smaller castle in the middle of the worlds. But still, that's not convenient at all. It's still worth the money and I can live with those two exceptions. Thanks for reading.

I have always played the puzzle type games (Tetris etc.) but decided to try this game with the new DS system. I became addicted....I love it. This is the first Mario game I have played so can't compare it to other Mario games but I have played such games as Shrek and Lord of the Rings and find the Mario game more fun and easier to play.

I am older (57) so don't have the skills of some of the younger users but enjoyed sharing it with my nephew as we compared gameplay. He always beat me of course....:-)