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05/28/06 Written by Trevor Siemens
The Game:
Finally Nintendo has taken the Super Mario franchise back to its 2d side scrolling roots. Giving all the 3D gamers a taste of what gaming was in the past, and how beautiful it really was.
Gameplay:
No matter how many times you beat him Bowser always comes back for more. I mean we’ve dropped him from bridges, threw him into bombs, hell we even battled side by side with him against The Smithy. Never the less he still likes kidnapping the princess and forcing Mario to yet again quest for her, through the lands. Except this time little Bowser Jr is behind the majority of the mayhem, but don’t shy away just yet Bowser does make his badass triumph return in the Super Mario Franchise.
The game is beautiful no matter which way you look at it. For us retro gamers it’s a godsend being able to control Mario in 2d environment, sure brings back the nostalgia for me anyways. The concept is pretty simple chase Bowser Jr across the lands while battling hoards of enemies, some new some old in the quest to save the princess. One quest that never ends I might add, and that is one reason to be thankful.
Visuals:
Gorgeously designed scrolling backgrounds, beautiful underwater levels leaves The New Super Mario Bros not lacking anything in the visual department. One thing I really noticed was the lighting effects, especially in castle levels with lava, Mario has this glow off the lava, not to mention the bad guys and red little dots floating around the lava pits really emphasize the beauty and detail of the game.
Audio:
Koji Kondo, with a team of other guys did the music and sound for the game. Some of the remixes of retro tunes are pretty good and some just grow on you, still they were very well done and suited the game. Honestly that power up sound that makes Mario actually Super Mario has to be one of the best sounds in any video game.
Control:
You run, you jump, you squash bad guys, you shoot fireballs, you crush things, you break things, and you swing from ropes, pretty much like every other Mario game, nuff said.
Replay Value:
This game is heaven for keeping you in the game, after you’ve completed it there is lots of stuff to bring you back for more. Such as trying to find all the Star coins, and if that doesn’t do it for ya. Some levels feature multiple ways of finishing them so unlocking the secrets and lands that you passed by on your first attempt at the game is always a treat.
There is a multiplayer aspect of the game where you can play against a friend in which you both collect starts and whoever collects the most wins. There is also a ton of mini games, which you can play with other people or just have at by yourself.
Overall:
Overall there is lots to keep you coming back to this game… well at least until Bowser decides to try another one of his half assed attempts at kidnapping the princess, but don’t you worry Mario will be waiting.
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