So, low and behold, my latest New Super Mario Bros. Wii review! You should've seen this coming. I mean, most games that crash GBAtemp deserve a review.
<div align="center"><img src="http://www.wiids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/new-super-mario-bros-wii-logo.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></div>
For this review, I have to lay some ground rules.
- DON'T ask for a fix for the game or how to get it working. We have a big thread for that.
- No flaming! I don't care how hyped you were for the game and the fact that, spoiler alert, I didn't give it a 10/10. If you're tempted to post something along these lines, just imagine me saying "Shut the fuck up... Shut the fuck up... up... up...".
Anyway, upwards and onwards. The game is the latest installment of the Super Mario Bros. franchise. Following the success of New Super Mario Bros. on the DS, they felt obligated to bring the cash cow franchise and name to the Wii for <strike>refilling Shingeruo Miyabutthole's yen-filled swimming pool</strike> letting Wii owners get a larger, more expanded classic platforming experience. I usually enter these reviews without biased, but I can't say the same for this. I expected the game to be kinda underwhelming. Nintendo's lame excuses for cutting corners just ruffled my feathers, and new features like Super Guide made the game seem like a poor way to draw in a casual crowd. However, after playing it, I can say it wasn't a failure at all. It's good, but it isn't the best Wii game ever made. Also, interesting fact, this is the first Mario sidescroller on a home console in 14 years. It's also the first original Super Mario Bros. game on a home console in 18 years. The last Super Mario Bros. game on a home console before this was Super Mario Bros. 3 and the last Mario sidescroller on a home console before this was Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Wikipedia it, bitch.
So, the game's story is the same as 99% of Mario games: Peach gets kidnapped, you go to save her. It's not Star Trek here, folks. Yet again, it's not like we care. Mario has never had a deep storyline. The only Mario game that actually had a real storyline was Super Mario RPG, and that's because RPG's are expected to have a good storyline (not to mention it was handled by Square, even if their FF and various other storylines are garbage. TROLL ON!). Anyway, you'll go through various levels, hopping and bopping baddies. The menus are pretty normal. Nothing complicated, nothing overly simplified.
The one thing that made Mario the successful and biggest video game franchise ever was his classic platforming. It's a formula that's hard to fail. Nintendo seemed to have gone all out with this game, picking elements from Mario games over the years. You've got the core gameplay for SMB1, the character diversity from SMB2 (for co-op, that is), the world layout and structure of SMB3, Yoshi from SMW, and carrying items from NSMB. The classic control of running and jumping is still as slick as it ever. On top of that, you can use a Nunchuck for analog control if you prefer that. It's got the same control of jumping and running you've expected. The one thing that does annoy me, though, is the motion control they added. In order to pick up items and other things, you need to hold 1 and shake the remote. It gets annoying as opposed to hitting something like the B button or holding the 1 button (which I've heard works, but it didn't work for me). As for all the mixed elements, they tend to come together rather well. It's not too much or too scarce; it's just right. With all the old additions come some new ones, of course. All the levels are, of course, new, and the designs are tougher than ever, maybe with some levels like the World 9 selection even beating the Lost Levels. Novice gamers may be turned off by this, even with the inclusion of Hint Movies and the Super Guide (which I'll get into later), but veteran Mario players will enjoy the challenge. There's also a plethora of items. You'll get the classic Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Super Star but you'll also get tons of new ones such as the Propeller Suit, Penguin Suit, and Ice Flower. The new items are nice and work quite well, except for one thing I noticed: why the fuck do you need the Ice Flower? The Ice Flower shoots snowballs that will freeze enemies into blocks of ice which can be smashed and used to kill other enemies. The Penguin Suit does the exact same thing, except it also allows you to slide on your belly and swim better in water. But it doesn't really matter, both will power you up. There's also the issue of boss fights. They're boring. The plot centers around the Koopa Kids kidnapping Peach, not Bowser himself. So, in every castle you'll fight a Koopa Kid with different powers. It just feels so incredibly uninnovative. You'll fight the same boss from the halfway castle in the final castle, except a little tougher. And ever Koopa has the same strategy; dodge whatever he shoots at you, bop him on the head, jump over him as you spin. I mean, really Nintendo? I mean, New Super Mario Bros. had fucking Monty Mole, Petey Pirrahna, and of course Bowser. There's just no spice here. In the end, though, classic Mario fans won't be disappointed with the platforming overall, even if there are a few oddities and issues.
The one prejudice I had against this game was the Super Guide, a feature they advertised that would essentially allow players to skip any level. I thought this would simply be a "skip this level if you want" type of thing, but Nintendo didn't make it too bad. First, you can't just skip any level off the bat. You need to fail a few times before you even get the option. Second, you'll watch as the computer plays through the level, allowing you to stop the computer and jump in any time. Third, after the level is beaten, you'll be given an option to replay the level, since you now know the techniques to get past it. I can't say I haven't used the feature; there's been one or two levels that stumped me. It's a nice feature for getting past maybe a tough part in a level, but it won't help offer any casual appeal to the game; the game will still be hard as hell, you just now get to watch a movie on it.
Now, for the co-op section! This wasn't written by me, since I haven't had anyone to do co-op with, but instead was given to use by... <b>asdf</b>! Thanks for thr thorough review! Let me just put in my small input before we get to his lovely section and say that I wished they had more character diversity. I mean, I don't care about Nintendo's lame excuse that her dress made her "unable to be playable" (guys, she's kidnapped, how could she go save herself?), but could you not find a character in the Mario universe other than 2 Toads? What about Waluigi and Wario? A Toad and a Shy Guy? Toad and Toadette? Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong? Rosalina (she damn sure owes you for saving the universe in Super Mario Galaxy)? It seems kinda lazy to me. Anyway, without further waiting, asdf's co-op review!
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The multiplayer portion of the game is sort of a mixed bag. It's not that the multiplayer isn't fun, it is, but some parts can get really annoying at times. For example, let's say that Mario, Luigi, and one of the Toads are running through a level. If one of them gets hurt, The whole game freezes for a split second while the damage animation plays, which can throw players off. This also happens when someone dies. Another problem I have is the factor of choosing characters. Player 2-4 can choose their character while Player 1 is stuck as Mario. Not much, but it still kinda bugs me. My last complaint is the fact that you can pick up the other players. This was probably meant for teamwork, getting across gaps and the like. However, the "teammate" will most like you pick you up just to throw you into lava/enemies/a pit. I can guarantee this will happen to you at least 1 during a level. Otherwise, this game is extremely fun with friends. It makes getting the Star Coins and finishing levels significantly easier and is definitely worth a try if you have some extra Wiimotes (and friends)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks again to asdf, it really did show a nice list of pros and cons.
Anyway, graphics and sound wise, the game isn't anything to call home about, either up in the arms or up in firearms. I mean, with a 2.5D sidescroller, you can't exactly make top-notch graphics that will beat either fully 2-D games (like Muramasa or A Boy and His Blob) or full 3-D games (like Super Mario Galaxy). It's that limbo of graphics. Given the situation though, the graphics are nice. No lagg or anything (outside of maybe the small hiccup mentioned by asdf), with models nicely done, fields colorfully drawn, and backdrops nice. The audio is Mario. Classic Mario themes and chiptunes, although I did sense some minor orchestral music. It's really just elevator music. Mario has never really been about graphics or sound, so it's not a huge category.
Overall, New Super Mario Bros. Wii is still a fine game, but definitely not the best game of the Wii, of Mario, of the decade, or of all time. It's a nice throwback and revival of classic Mario, incoporating games that spanned the history of gaming, with all the polish you'd expect from the Big N. It has its hitches that do hinder the game, but it certainly is a fine game, possibly even an essential, for your Wii collection.
<b>Presentation</b>: There's no story, but none was expected. It's a nice revival of Mario's roots and a fitting game for the name "Super Mario Bros.". Menus are simple and well laid out. <b>8.7/10</b>
<b>Graphics</b>: You can't do a whole lot with 2.5D games, but Nintendo still pulled off a nice job. Graphics are smooth, backdrops and fields are nice. No slowdowns or anything with shit flying is nice. Nothing eye-popping, whether it be from amazement or from removing them on purpose to prevent you from seeing horrible images. <b>8.5/10</b>
<b>Audio</b>: It's Mario. Classic Mario tunes, classic Mario hopping-and-bopping sound effects, etc etc. There's some hints of orchestral music (unless my ears are deceiving me, as they sometimes do) that help round out the soundtrack. Still, it would be nice to see some newer music. <b>8/10</b>
<b>Gameplay</b>: The classic Mario platforming is pulled off with a success. It's still smooth as ever. Levels are harder than ever, and features spanning over twenty years of Mario (as well as some new ones) all work. Still, co-op, a major marketing point on Nintendo, isn't as impressive as said and boss battles are just downright disappointing. The Super Guide actually works, but it won't make the game work for casual gamers. The good still outbalances the bad, though. <b>8.5/10</b>
<b>Lasting Appeal</b>: There's 8 main worlds, as well as the World 9 that requires getting all the Star Coins of a world to unlock a level in World 9. It'll take a while and the challenge keeps the game's length high. There's co-op of course, but it's not nearly as good as advertised and the lack of Wi-Fi, whether it be leaderboards or online co-op, really hinders this game from skyrocketing to excellence. <b>8.5/10</b>.
Overall: <b>8.5/10</b>
Now go cry. If anyone was wondering, these were the other entries in the co-op review contest. They're all nicely done, they just didn't get the final cut.
Revolutionize:
ifish:
<div align="center"><img src="http://www.wiids.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/new-super-mario-bros-wii-logo.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /></div>
For this review, I have to lay some ground rules.
- DON'T ask for a fix for the game or how to get it working. We have a big thread for that.
- No flaming! I don't care how hyped you were for the game and the fact that, spoiler alert, I didn't give it a 10/10. If you're tempted to post something along these lines, just imagine me saying "Shut the fuck up... Shut the fuck up... up... up...".
Anyway, upwards and onwards. The game is the latest installment of the Super Mario Bros. franchise. Following the success of New Super Mario Bros. on the DS, they felt obligated to bring the cash cow franchise and name to the Wii for <strike>refilling Shingeruo Miyabutthole's yen-filled swimming pool</strike> letting Wii owners get a larger, more expanded classic platforming experience. I usually enter these reviews without biased, but I can't say the same for this. I expected the game to be kinda underwhelming. Nintendo's lame excuses for cutting corners just ruffled my feathers, and new features like Super Guide made the game seem like a poor way to draw in a casual crowd. However, after playing it, I can say it wasn't a failure at all. It's good, but it isn't the best Wii game ever made. Also, interesting fact, this is the first Mario sidescroller on a home console in 14 years. It's also the first original Super Mario Bros. game on a home console in 18 years. The last Super Mario Bros. game on a home console before this was Super Mario Bros. 3 and the last Mario sidescroller on a home console before this was Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Wikipedia it, bitch.
So, the game's story is the same as 99% of Mario games: Peach gets kidnapped, you go to save her. It's not Star Trek here, folks. Yet again, it's not like we care. Mario has never had a deep storyline. The only Mario game that actually had a real storyline was Super Mario RPG, and that's because RPG's are expected to have a good storyline (not to mention it was handled by Square, even if their FF and various other storylines are garbage. TROLL ON!). Anyway, you'll go through various levels, hopping and bopping baddies. The menus are pretty normal. Nothing complicated, nothing overly simplified.
The one thing that made Mario the successful and biggest video game franchise ever was his classic platforming. It's a formula that's hard to fail. Nintendo seemed to have gone all out with this game, picking elements from Mario games over the years. You've got the core gameplay for SMB1, the character diversity from SMB2 (for co-op, that is), the world layout and structure of SMB3, Yoshi from SMW, and carrying items from NSMB. The classic control of running and jumping is still as slick as it ever. On top of that, you can use a Nunchuck for analog control if you prefer that. It's got the same control of jumping and running you've expected. The one thing that does annoy me, though, is the motion control they added. In order to pick up items and other things, you need to hold 1 and shake the remote. It gets annoying as opposed to hitting something like the B button or holding the 1 button (which I've heard works, but it didn't work for me). As for all the mixed elements, they tend to come together rather well. It's not too much or too scarce; it's just right. With all the old additions come some new ones, of course. All the levels are, of course, new, and the designs are tougher than ever, maybe with some levels like the World 9 selection even beating the Lost Levels. Novice gamers may be turned off by this, even with the inclusion of Hint Movies and the Super Guide (which I'll get into later), but veteran Mario players will enjoy the challenge. There's also a plethora of items. You'll get the classic Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Super Star but you'll also get tons of new ones such as the Propeller Suit, Penguin Suit, and Ice Flower. The new items are nice and work quite well, except for one thing I noticed: why the fuck do you need the Ice Flower? The Ice Flower shoots snowballs that will freeze enemies into blocks of ice which can be smashed and used to kill other enemies. The Penguin Suit does the exact same thing, except it also allows you to slide on your belly and swim better in water. But it doesn't really matter, both will power you up. There's also the issue of boss fights. They're boring. The plot centers around the Koopa Kids kidnapping Peach, not Bowser himself. So, in every castle you'll fight a Koopa Kid with different powers. It just feels so incredibly uninnovative. You'll fight the same boss from the halfway castle in the final castle, except a little tougher. And ever Koopa has the same strategy; dodge whatever he shoots at you, bop him on the head, jump over him as you spin. I mean, really Nintendo? I mean, New Super Mario Bros. had fucking Monty Mole, Petey Pirrahna, and of course Bowser. There's just no spice here. In the end, though, classic Mario fans won't be disappointed with the platforming overall, even if there are a few oddities and issues.
The one prejudice I had against this game was the Super Guide, a feature they advertised that would essentially allow players to skip any level. I thought this would simply be a "skip this level if you want" type of thing, but Nintendo didn't make it too bad. First, you can't just skip any level off the bat. You need to fail a few times before you even get the option. Second, you'll watch as the computer plays through the level, allowing you to stop the computer and jump in any time. Third, after the level is beaten, you'll be given an option to replay the level, since you now know the techniques to get past it. I can't say I haven't used the feature; there's been one or two levels that stumped me. It's a nice feature for getting past maybe a tough part in a level, but it won't help offer any casual appeal to the game; the game will still be hard as hell, you just now get to watch a movie on it.
Now, for the co-op section! This wasn't written by me, since I haven't had anyone to do co-op with, but instead was given to use by... <b>asdf</b>! Thanks for thr thorough review! Let me just put in my small input before we get to his lovely section and say that I wished they had more character diversity. I mean, I don't care about Nintendo's lame excuse that her dress made her "unable to be playable" (guys, she's kidnapped, how could she go save herself?), but could you not find a character in the Mario universe other than 2 Toads? What about Waluigi and Wario? A Toad and a Shy Guy? Toad and Toadette? Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong? Rosalina (she damn sure owes you for saving the universe in Super Mario Galaxy)? It seems kinda lazy to me. Anyway, without further waiting, asdf's co-op review!
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The multiplayer portion of the game is sort of a mixed bag. It's not that the multiplayer isn't fun, it is, but some parts can get really annoying at times. For example, let's say that Mario, Luigi, and one of the Toads are running through a level. If one of them gets hurt, The whole game freezes for a split second while the damage animation plays, which can throw players off. This also happens when someone dies. Another problem I have is the factor of choosing characters. Player 2-4 can choose their character while Player 1 is stuck as Mario. Not much, but it still kinda bugs me. My last complaint is the fact that you can pick up the other players. This was probably meant for teamwork, getting across gaps and the like. However, the "teammate" will most like you pick you up just to throw you into lava/enemies/a pit. I can guarantee this will happen to you at least 1 during a level. Otherwise, this game is extremely fun with friends. It makes getting the Star Coins and finishing levels significantly easier and is definitely worth a try if you have some extra Wiimotes (and friends)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks again to asdf, it really did show a nice list of pros and cons.
Anyway, graphics and sound wise, the game isn't anything to call home about, either up in the arms or up in firearms. I mean, with a 2.5D sidescroller, you can't exactly make top-notch graphics that will beat either fully 2-D games (like Muramasa or A Boy and His Blob) or full 3-D games (like Super Mario Galaxy). It's that limbo of graphics. Given the situation though, the graphics are nice. No lagg or anything (outside of maybe the small hiccup mentioned by asdf), with models nicely done, fields colorfully drawn, and backdrops nice. The audio is Mario. Classic Mario themes and chiptunes, although I did sense some minor orchestral music. It's really just elevator music. Mario has never really been about graphics or sound, so it's not a huge category.
Overall, New Super Mario Bros. Wii is still a fine game, but definitely not the best game of the Wii, of Mario, of the decade, or of all time. It's a nice throwback and revival of classic Mario, incoporating games that spanned the history of gaming, with all the polish you'd expect from the Big N. It has its hitches that do hinder the game, but it certainly is a fine game, possibly even an essential, for your Wii collection.
<b>Presentation</b>: There's no story, but none was expected. It's a nice revival of Mario's roots and a fitting game for the name "Super Mario Bros.". Menus are simple and well laid out. <b>8.7/10</b>
<b>Graphics</b>: You can't do a whole lot with 2.5D games, but Nintendo still pulled off a nice job. Graphics are smooth, backdrops and fields are nice. No slowdowns or anything with shit flying is nice. Nothing eye-popping, whether it be from amazement or from removing them on purpose to prevent you from seeing horrible images. <b>8.5/10</b>
<b>Audio</b>: It's Mario. Classic Mario tunes, classic Mario hopping-and-bopping sound effects, etc etc. There's some hints of orchestral music (unless my ears are deceiving me, as they sometimes do) that help round out the soundtrack. Still, it would be nice to see some newer music. <b>8/10</b>
<b>Gameplay</b>: The classic Mario platforming is pulled off with a success. It's still smooth as ever. Levels are harder than ever, and features spanning over twenty years of Mario (as well as some new ones) all work. Still, co-op, a major marketing point on Nintendo, isn't as impressive as said and boss battles are just downright disappointing. The Super Guide actually works, but it won't make the game work for casual gamers. The good still outbalances the bad, though. <b>8.5/10</b>
<b>Lasting Appeal</b>: There's 8 main worlds, as well as the World 9 that requires getting all the Star Coins of a world to unlock a level in World 9. It'll take a while and the challenge keeps the game's length high. There's co-op of course, but it's not nearly as good as advertised and the lack of Wi-Fi, whether it be leaderboards or online co-op, really hinders this game from skyrocketing to excellence. <b>8.5/10</b>.
Overall: <b>8.5/10</b>
Now go cry. If anyone was wondering, these were the other entries in the co-op review contest. They're all nicely done, they just didn't get the final cut.
Revolutionize:
New Super Mario Bros. Wii allows players to play along to help solve levels or just have fun. It does have its flaws, though. The thrill of playing with your friends is amazing. Whether it’s throwing your friends into pits or working together, this games co-op is sure to impress. One thing I didn’t like about the game was the slight pause that happens when a player dies. That pause, despite the fact that it only occurs for a brief second can ruin a perfect jump sequence or cause you to fall in a pit from distraction. I find it annoying. I wonder why Nintendo incorporated the pause. Why not let the game go on as usual when a player dies. The levels in New Super Mario Bros. Wii are made for co-op play. Some places in certain levels are only/easily accessible when another player helps. I don’t think that is a good thing because not everyone has friends near them. I would have liked it if Nintendo had Wi-Fi with co-op mode so people without friends near them can still play. Those without people to play with near them are missing half of what makes this game fun. While the co-op mode is good, it has a few flaws which keep it from being perfect.
ifish:
so in new super mario brothers wii the co-op is very fun but let me start off if you plan on seriousy doing a level it will take much longer in co-op. dont bother playing with assholes because they will kill you very often and it is over all very fun and entertaning.you can play as 4 people but even tho there diffrent besides the 2 toads (nintendo got lazy there) they all have the same things lugie isnt any better than mario and the toads remain unnamed. but any devloper would give online servers but this game didnt it would be a great addtion but sadly nintendo played it safe here. also if one person is going to fast everybody elise get whiped off screen
PROS
- very fun
-great addtion make the game more of a party game then a solo one
-no waiting for others if there to slow they get whiped off screen
-over all enjoyable
-item boxes generally make 1 item per person
CONS
-nintendo played it safe here
-everybody has same ablity
- if you play with the wrong person they ruin the fun
PROS
- very fun
-great addtion make the game more of a party game then a solo one
-no waiting for others if there to slow they get whiped off screen
-over all enjoyable
-item boxes generally make 1 item per person
CONS
-nintendo played it safe here
-everybody has same ablity
- if you play with the wrong person they ruin the fun
