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BlackIvory32's New Super Mario Brothers (DS)
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| [March 4, 2008 09:49:13 PM]
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Gamelog Entry #2
Gameplay
Alright, so I have spent about an hour playing MvL mode and the Mini-games with my girlfriend via the DS's wireless gameplay. I know I was kind of hard on the mini-games in my first gamelog entry, but I still stand with my first assessment of them. The music wasn't that great, and the games are derivatives of one another (with some exceptions). Even when playing them in 2 player mode, the mini-games weren't as fun as they could be. I found that some of the games (blackjack, speed, etc) made me wonder why I didn't just get a real deck of cards and play with my friends. Bottom line, mini-games work for something like Mario Party where it makes sense to have them: not as a tacked on feature on NSMB.
On the other hand, MvL mode makes sense and is a lot of fun. The mode itself has the look and feel of the main game and is loads of fun to play. I found myself getting really involved in trying to win each round. MvL mode is a lot like the mode featured in Super Mario Bros. 3 mixed with Mario 64. I would argue that NSMB only needs its the main game and MvL mode. Ether way I guess it doesn't matter if the mini-games are included or not. Overall, NSMB is a decent game.
Design
Like I wrote before, the level design of the game allows for the player to rush through the game effortlessly. The incentive to make the player replay or slowdown is to collect gold coins or find alternate routes which lead to secret alternate worlds. Another thing that makes the game fun to play are the power-ups. The Mega Mushroom, Blue Koopa Shell, and Mini-Mushroom, change the gameplay. With the Mega mushroom, the player can essentially power their way though 3/4's of a level in a few seconds. With the Blue Shell, they player can turn themselves into a spinning shell and make themselves invincible. Lastly the Mini-Mushroom makes the player the size and weight (yes weight) of a flea. This makes the player extremely vulnerable yet virtually weightless. Apart from those deign elements, the game shares many of the same characteristics as many of the other Mario games.
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| [March 4, 2008 06:30:32 PM]
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Gamelog Entry #1
Summary:
New Super Mario Bros. (NSMB) is a continuation of the Mario franchise on the DS. The plot, like most mario games, revolves around rescuing the princess who has been captured. The game itself spans across 8 worlds and has a variety of bonus features that take advantage of the DS's wifi, touch screen, and mic. Other elements that have been added to this game are the use of the the Mega Mushroom, Blue Koopa Shell, and Mini Mushroom.
Gameplay:
When I bought my DS Lite, it came with Brain Age 2 and not NSMB. That said, I am writing this gamelog entry from the perspective of someone who hasn't played NSMB. Playing the game has the feel of classic Mario Bros. with an updated 64 twist. Subtle things I noticed are double jump, triple jump, wall jump, duck, and ground pounding. Not to mention that the game graphics have a pseudo-3D feel to them, while maintaining 2D side scrolling gameplay. Anyways, I found that the controls, levels, and worlds design allow for the game to be played in a fast paced way, while having lots or replay value. Many extra features in the game are unlocked in the player goes back and tries playing the level in different ways. One method in particular is the beating of the castles while the player is in Tiny Mario mode. Overall I found the single player mode or gameplay both classic and refreshing.
Other options in the game include Mario vs Luigi (MvL) Mode and Mini Game mode. For the this gamelog entry I am going to skip MvL Mode as it is 2 player and I usually review 2 player modes in my second gamelog entry. NSMB comes with an variety of mini games which can be played both in single mode and 2 player mode. Overall the mini-games feel a bit tacked-on and banal. Even though they are mini-games, the only reason I could see myself playing them is if I was bored on the bus and didn't have much else to do. I suppose the mini-games aren't that bad. This portion of the game is the only part that really takes advantage of the DS touch and mic features as the main game doesn't really use these features. Overall, NSMB is pretty fun if you play the main game. For my next gamelog entry I will review playing MvL mode and Mini-Games in 2 player mode.
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BlackIvory32's New Super Mario Brothers (DS)
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Current Status: Playing
GameLog started on: Tuesday 4 March, 2008
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