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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nintendo Icons Deliver One of the Best DS Games of 2006, December 18, 2006
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 March of the Minis (Video Game)
While the DS is not short on innovative games, I've always felt that the vast majority of them always have had some flaw that prevents them from being games you want to come back to and play again. That is why I'm pleased to say that Mario vs. Donkey Kong: March of the Minis is both fun and innovative. This platformer/puzzle game hybrid sees Mario attempting rescue a woman in distress from the love-sick ape, Donkey Kong. Instead of going himself, Mario uses an army of wind-up toy replicas aka the mini marios.
The minis have to navigate through eight treacherous levels with ten sub-levels each before catching up with Donkey Kong on the roof. In each level, the player has to guide a handful of Mini Marios to a golden door. Each level is full of traps and puzzles that the stylus controlled Minis have to get through to arrive safely. As long as the player can get one Mini through the door the level is cleared, however, clearing the level with all Mini Marios is not enough to get high star rankings. To get a gold star, it is necessary to devise away to clear the level faster, collect more gold coins for points, and to get the Minis to walk through the door all together as a chain.
The one fly in March of Minis ointment is the boss battle that takes place at the end of each level. Here the player must successful lauch the Minis out of a cannon and into Kong while dodging obstacles. The cannon is controlled by an overly sensitive pulley system that makes it really hard to quickly line the cannon with Kong. You'll usually end up going to far to the left or right.
The final confrontation with Kong plays well, however, as it is a homage to the original Donkey Kong game.
In the end, Mario Vs Donkey Kong 2 is a great title to add to anyone's DS library. It nearly strikes a perfect balance between using the system's capabilities to the fullest, being fun to play, and offering something to come back too.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting better and better and better!, November 6, 2006
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 March of the Minis (Video Game)
Some have kinda trashed this game because it isn't exactly like the first game. But I say; if you want to play the same game, play the old game. This game is fantastically fun. Also, because this game is played exclusively with the stylus anybody can play this game!
This is not a fast paced jump & squash type Mario game. This game is a remarkable blend of creativity, strategy and the Mario World. What is unique is that you are playing not as Mario, but as little Mario toys. And what is interesting is how you earn points by not only keeping all your Mario minis alive but also, by keeping them all moving around multiple enemies at the same time. The levels continue to get more interesting and new challenges are placed before your little Mario minis. Each floor contains new ways to move your minis around; i.e. Level 3 ads pipes and water, Level 4 your Mario's can magnetically walk up walls and ceilings. And, so the game play gets harder and more fun with every level. Also, new enemies are added each level so level 3's strategies don't work on level 4.
The replayability is huge as you try to get gold stars on each level. And trust me some levels are almost impossible to get a gold star in (sometimes I have played the same stage 7 or 8 times to get a score I feel good about). You can access any level that you have rescued at least 1 Mario mini in at any time (which is really cool), and there is also 2 mini games for each of the 8 levels. One mini game is kinda like whack-a-mole except with pipes and shyguy, and the other is always a Mario minis vs. DK. They are very enjoyable.
Something that I think is very fun, is the level building toolkit. You can use the tools from any levels that you have beaten to create your own levels. Wow, is it fun to create levels, and test them. They can then be sent to your friends DS-lite's and they can play them. The generator tools are simple, but to create a good map is challenging and could potentially be a positive "trial & error" learning experience for kids.
Overall, the game is fun, super addicting, challenging and a good value for the money. If strategy/puzzle gaming if your type of thing, this game is great, and because of the changes in the way the game is played it never get old.
Nintendo, we want more!!!! Keep unique games coming!
Graphics: A+
Sound: A
Control: A+
Fun & Enjoyment: A++
Overall: A+
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
My 6 yr old and 3 yr old enjoy this game, November 11, 2006
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 March of the Minis (Video Game)
This game feels a bit like a Tetris or other puzzle games. To win you navigate the Mini Marios through increasingly complex mazes. The catch is the Mini Marios are simulated wind up toys who can only walk in straight lines and jump. You have to intentionally bounce them off walls and jump onto platforms to move them around. It turns out to be very fun navigating all the Marios through the board and trying to successfully get all the Marios safely home.
I have 2 young sons (6 & 3 yrs.) both enjoy this game. The six year old can do most of the levels. The 3 year gets the concept and can moves the Marios around but doesn't win nearly as much of course.
The level creator is also very cool. I am addicted to making my own levels and my 6 yr old has made some very simple levels.
The graphics in this game are good.
There are 8 levels with 10 sub-levels each. This plus the level creator should make the game last a while.
I also like that the boys have to assess the board and then make a plan on how to play through a level before they can be successful.
I give 4 stars simply because this game while great is not up to the level of New Super Mario Bros.
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