New Super Mario Bros. Wii is going to mean a lot of different things to a whole different group of people. For long time Mario fans it’ll be a nostalgic trip and another adventure, for new gamers just joining the Nintendo family it’ll be a...
New Super Mario Bros. Wii is going to mean a lot of different things to a whole different group of people. For long time Mario fans it’ll be a nostalgic trip and another adventure, for new gamers just joining the Nintendo family it’ll be a chance to see what all the fuss is about. It’s this appeal that means New Super Mario Bros. Wii can and will be enjoyed by all types of people. This game breaks down the walls that usually segregate gamers and allows anyone to play the game, by themselves or with a group of people. Yes, that’s right, if you’ve been living under a rock New Super Mario Bros. Wii is not only the first 2D Mario on a console in nearly two decades, but also the first simultaneous multiplayer Mario platformer. The next question everyone asks after that, though, is can I enjoy it by myself? The answer to that question is yes.
I won’t prattle on in depth on how you play this game; everyone knows how a 2D Mario game works and this one is at its core is no different. It’s obvious that this game builds off the successful New Super Mario Bros on the DS—the title alone is enough to tell you that. But there are influences from all previous Mario games, ranging from the 8-Bit titles to ’newer’ games such as Super Mario World and Yoshi’s Island. But there are a ton of new twists in this game and some welcome additions to the Mario ’verse. The bulk of the game, both in single player and multiplayer, takes place in the story mode. Eight or so worlds with multiplayer levels, a sub boss, and main boss per level feature in the game. The game is essentially the same in both singleplayer and multiplayer; the levels don’t change so what space there is for one person will have to do for four.
That being said, Nintendo has made ample room for at least three people on platforms and there are always different ways in most occasions to get to end of level goal. Getting to that end of level goal is simple—if you just play the game like that you can bowl it over in a day or so—but getting all the secret exits and golden coins will take a little longer. Along with the story mode, there is a Free Mode which allows you to play any stage in the game you’ve already played in Story mode. For practice or a quick blast it’s the best mode to hit. The other mode in the game is coin battle. This mode has you fight it out to collect as many coins as possible in a variety of stages taken from the game and even some separate ones. Stages aren’t quite the same as they were originally, though, as many hidden coins have been added. It’s pretty bare bones but a ton of fun.
The game is played ’old school’ with the Wii Remote in NES configuration on its side, but if you prefer you can plug in the Nunchuk and play two-handed. The D-Pad proves to be a better alternative to the analogue stick for controlling Mario and his friends, however, as while it’s on an analogue stick it is still the same digital on or off movement. Nintendo was wise to limit the amount of motion controls in the game and in this instance it’s really used in two places. It can be used to tilt certain sections of a stage in order to get items, and you might need a little help here from friends; the other time it’s utilised is to manipulate lights on a boat so the other players can make their way more easily. The only ’waggle’ in the game comes from just simply shaking the controller lightly to make your player do a spin, with other suits to make use of those suits’ special abilities and to lift items or players. In multiplayer, shaking the remote brings you closer to your mates while in a bubble, but I’ll get to that in a bit.
Ah, speaking of friends, playing the game with them is a ton of fun. While the game is technically co-operative, if you’re friends are a little cheeky (or a-holes basically) they can make your game go from a well-oiled machine in completing levels into a survival of the fittest. Don’t get angry, though, if your friend jumps on your head and kills you, because it’ll happen a lot, and then minutes later you might do it to them. That is how New Super Mario Bros. Wii works in multiplayer; it’s controlled chaos. Controlled in the way that you’re controlling the characters, but with four people leaping and bounding all over the place, shells flying around things get a little hectic. Once you die, and you will, you’ll come back in a bubble which another player will have to break in order to get you out and back in the action, or not—again, people can be as helpful as they want. However, you can waggle with your remote to try to keep your bubble close to your friends, so if they’re not quite wanting to help get you out then this will increase the chance of them doing so by mistake.
This helpful or unhelpful co-operative play is also great for allowing people of different skillets to play, as people who aren’t as good as even the best Mario players can all play together. Yes, the people who aren’t as good will basically be ’carried’ by the better players, but they will still be having fun. That’s the entire point of this game, to have fun, and while single player is again another excellent Mario adventure, for me the hectic fun of multiplayer is the highlight. The game is infectious and when playing with friends it will just be natural to laugh and have a good time. Players can also drop in and out at any time to join in the fun. Online play isn’t included in the game, but unless Nintendo was going to support Wii Speak it wouldn’t be any good; communication is key to this title and half the fun of enjoying it is yelling at your friends in game. Maybe next time?
You’ll have to use communication to get though certain areas, but at no point in the game do you need other people to help you; you can make it through on your on merits. So you’ll run through a ton of lives in multiplayer, which is a bit ironic because in single player, without all the hectic mess of people everywhere, you will soon have accumulated up to the maximum 99 lives in most cases. There is no recession in the Mushroom Kingdom as Toad is handing out Mushrooms like a pot head. The whole life system is basically useless as well because if you run out you simply you just go to the last save spot; the penalty is meagre. There is also help in the way of items on the map screen. Like in Super Mario Bros. 3, you can select an item on the map screen to enter into the level with to give you leg up on the stage.
This game does have a story in-case you were wondering, but as is the case in most Mario games it doesn’t play a big part in the game, nor does it need to. After a small cut scene at the start of the game where Peach again gets kidnapped (by the Koopa Kids and Bowser Jr), Mario, Luigi and two different coloured toads set off an adventure. Two toads? Yeah, they make up the other two playable characters after Mario and Luigi. While we understand that Peach wasn’t in it, the two toads are basically nameless; why not include anyone else from the Mario universe to partake? It’s not that two of the Toads are a problem—they and all the characters work the same and play the same—it’s when the toads get powered up that makes it hard to differentiate them. The penguin suit is probably the best example of this.
Along with all the usual Mario power ups, such as the Mushroom and Fire Flower, some of the new power ups from the New Super Mario Bros DS game make an appearance, such as the mini Mushroom. What is new, though, is the Ice Flower, the Penguin Suit, and Propeller Suit. The Ice Flower is the exact opposite of the Fire Flower and encases enemies and some objects in a level in a block of ice which you can pick up and throw. The Penguin suit is the cutest new addition and not only gives you the same ability as the Ice Flower, but also the ability to slide along on the ground, knocking enemies off and destroying blocks. There is a few puzzle in the game that are made easier by using the suit. The propeller suit is possibly the most useful new suit, as it gives you the ability to zoom up in the air by a simple shake of the remote. This zoom up into the sky allows you to save yourself if you make a wrong jump and are about to fall to your doom. Once the zoom up has been used you slowly flutter back down in a cool reverse walk in the air, quite a humorous animation. Yoshi also makes his return to the Mario games, but his appearance in the game is limited and he only appears on a few worlds. He is clearly not the focus on the game but it’s nice to see him/she/it back. Yum!
The Super Guide is a controversial new feature in New Super Mario Bros Wii. The guide is only activated after you die about 8 times on a level. When next you re-spawn there will be a glowing green box that you’re able to jump up and activate. If you select yes, the level will reload with Luigi and the CPU will take the standard way through the level; no secret paths will be revealed. You’ll be able to take control of Luigi at any time or even let him finish the level—at which point you’ll be given the option to complete the stage or try it again yourself. This feature is really helpful for people who aren’t as whiz bang awesome on games as other people; a lot of people will buy a game, get stuck on one part, and then give it up. This means the people don’t see all of the game that there is to offer and may come back from it with a negative experience — especially if it is just one little section giving them trouble. To all the naysayers of the feature, you’re probably proficient enough that you’ll never need to use it, or even see it in the first place.
The save system in New Super Mario Bros Wii is actually quite good, too, if a little forgiving. You’ll only get the option to ’hard’ save when you complete a world or after defeating the sub boss. But, fret not, if you have to duck away quickly there is a quick save which basically suspends the game (on the map screen) which you can resume later. For those wondering as to how long the game is, your mileage will vary. If you play it all by yourself and you’re a top Mario player you’ll breeze through; everyone else might take a little longer as some sections are very hard.
There are some purists that complain about the 3D design of these new games, and at times the game is simple in its presentation, but at no point is it ever ugly; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The game in places is beautiful, colourful and lush, with each world having its own style. The ice world, the desert world, they’re all there, and a few of the worlds are quite amazing. But to say any more would be spoiling it. The characters are all also animated excellently, which lots of little touches and nods coming not just from the playable characters but the non-playable ones. I know I point this out like a huge feature when it’s really not, but the little dance or hop the enemies do in time to the music is entirely awesome. More games need this feature. Well, maybe it wouldn’t be suitable in House of the Dead Overkill.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the true definition of a bridge game: not only does it allow anyone to play, but those who have played every Mario game in existence can play it and still be challenged. Whether you play singleplayer or multiplayer, you will have ball, and there are extra modes thrown in as a sweetener. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is just that, new. But is full of influences and throwbacks to older games in the series. This a game that everyone can and should play. 2D Mario is back baby.
New Super Mario Bros Wii has enough new ideas to go along with the old and is a ton of fun to play. You can play through the game and do the bare minimum but there is so many more things to do for multiple runs in the game. The fact that anyone can play this game means that there should be no shortage of people for you to recruit to play, but if there still is no one around? Doesnt matter. Nintendos crafted another great Mario game, dont doubt it.
Simple and clean look chock full of character and style. Worlds are coloured, varied, and come to life. Apart from some nice lighting effects there isnt too much dazzle though.
Its Mario, it plays like it should and doesnt falter. Wii motion controls dont feel shoehorned and work well. Nunchuk option is nice, but you wont be using it. Game needs more Yoshi.
Much improved soundtrack over the DS iteration, one to go back to. Its not orchestrated like Galaxy but doesnt need to be as it wouldnt suit the 2D style of the game.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii has a ton of content for both those playing single player and grouping up for multiplayer. Extra modes like coin battle and free mode sweeten the deal.
Playing New Super Mario Bros. Wii is one of best times Ive had playing multiplayer in the same room since the N64. Online games are nice, but having your friends in the same room enhances the fun. And if you dont have anyone to play with? Its still fun.
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