New Super Mario Bros. for DS

Super Mario Bros was the game that got me officially hooked on to gaming. It was light years beyond anything I had seen on the Atari. The screen could move and the worlds at that time where huge. I wasn't the only one impressed after all Super Mario Bros is often credit as the game that saved the industry after it's biggest crash in 83. Super Mario Bros became a huge phenomena in the late 80's and very early 90's with Mario comics, lunch boxes, tv shows, and even Super Mario underwear (I still have a pair).

Nintendo went on to make 3 more side scrolling adventures and then after Super Mario World launched the SNES Nintendo decided Mario needed a break from platforming and made him do go kart racing, golf, and partying. And since then Mario as been considered a faded and over used mascot. Now after a decade and a half of waiting we get a Super Mario Bros game, title the new Super Mario Bros is it any good read on to find out.

Story.
Mario and Peach where taking a walk one day when Mario saw Peach's castle was under attack. Mario turned his back for a second to see what was going on and Bowser Jr. swooped in and captured Princess Peach (I guess she left her magic parasol at home). Now Mario must quest to rescue the princess. Not a thick plot but then after the opening scene that's pretty much it in story telling. After you beat every world you see Bowser Jr. run to a new world with Peach. The adult Bowser does make a few cameo appearances but he seems more of a pawn to Bowser Jr then the one pulling the strings.

Graphics.
The DS does not center around it's graphics for gameplay, hence there are a lot of games that are barley a step up above the GBA on graphic abilities, New Super Mario Bros isn't one of those game those. While we have 2d back grounds and blocks all the character sprites are in 3d. They all look very nice. Mario and Luigi are animated very well and have nice round features. What's more amazing is how detail they get when they get a new Mega Mushroom and grow to a size that takes 2/3 of the screen. In the end the game is eye candy.

Sound.
A bit disapinted that we only hear the old Super Mario Bros theme on toad house areas but the new music is remixed very nicely and is about as catchy as the old days. Now for something a lot of people have been touchy about in there remakes on the GBA and that is the addition of voices. Nintendo for once was very conservative with the voices in the game, there are still plenty of voice clips but there used sparingly and hardly ever get annoying. You hear Mario at the beginning and end of every world and whenever he does a wall jump or triple jump and besides that it's all sounds effect from there. Dying for once is done to the old Mario death music and not to Mario's usual mama mia death cry.

Gamplay.
Now it's called the new Super Mario Bros for a reason, it plays a lot like the original Super Mario Bros. Basically you run from left to right pick up super mushrooms and grow big and fire flowers to throw fire balls. You defeat enemies by stomping, throwing fire balls or tossing turtle shells in there general direction. Stages end whenever you reach the flag pole simple enough. And it's the same simplicity that a lot of old school gamers like myself grew up with. In short playing new super Mario bros is like visiting an old friend you haven't seen in several years and finding out that both of you have changed but for the better.

Of course it isn't entirely like the old Super Mario Bros as there is a map and while screen shots may make it seem that it's a simple map, it's more complicated then it looks. There are several areas where there are 2 flag poles to reach and if you find the second a new path open ups. There are also star coins that can be found in the stages. Paying a toll on a few places can get you into other areas of the game as well.

Also comes the power ups which in my thoughts are the most disappointing aspect of the game. Ok there are 3 new power ups first is the mega mushroom which is the only one that I consider really cool. It's like invincibility but unlike invincibility that allowed you to just plow over enemies, Mega Mushrooms let Mario plow over everything in his king sized form you can get 1 ups do if you cause a lot of damage. Next is the mini mushroom which shrinks Mario to smaller size then his regular form. Mini Mario is a lot weaker but he can jump higher and use special warp pipes. But it's a rare power up and you often die before you get to an area that makes use for it. And finally the last is a turtle shell form this is basically the same as Super Mario form but if you get him going he will duck into his turtle shell and mow down enemies.

The only other bad thing is that the game is pretty short as far has main quests go. The game is shorter then Super Princess Peach if your just out to rescue the Princess. There are some secret worlds that can be unlocked and the star coins if you want to go all out and that will take you quite a bit longer. Luckily New Super Mario Bros is a type of game where after your finish you just want to start all over again, it's just as that type of simple and easy game play to get into.

Also to throw in replay value there is a multiplayer but I don't know anyone else who owns a DS so sorry don't know how well that one plays. There are also lots of mini multi player games to play by your self or against some one so you won't be getting bored any time soon.

Final Recommendation.
Despite it being a bit short and easy New Super Mario Bros hits the old platforming nostalgia spot. With plenty of extras added on to it you won't be getting bored of it anytime soon. I just hope we don't have to wait another 15 years for the next 2d side scrolling Super Mario Bros game.