New Super Mario Bros. Review - DS

While most of its best games don’t really take advantage of the system’s unique hardware, the DS is really kicking serious butt lately. The most recent sure-fire hit is The New Super Mario Bros. – a semi-original side-scrolling adventure starring Nintendo’s overworked plumber and enemies, levels, concepts, and power-ups from just about every Mario game ever made.

Sincerest Form of Flattery

But it’s not the instant classic you’d think. New Super Mario Bros. has a lot to live up to, considering its pedigree. After all, it borrows liberally from a few of the greatest games ever made. And while the action is solid and the control is tight, it all feels way too familiar. You’ll get a sense of “been there, done that” just a few seconds into the first level, and you’ll never be able to shake it.

The bigger problem, though, is that the new power-ups available to our little Italian hero don’t feel like they add a whole lot to the game play. They’re generally way too contextual. Super-sizing Mario is only useful is very particular parts of the game, as is shrinking him to tiny proportions. Use these power-ups in the wrong place and they’re more of a hindrance than a help.

So what you’re left with is a solid Mario game that doesn’t feel as polished as one would expect from the series.

Easy on the Eyes

Graphically, though, NSMB shines. A mixture of 2D art and 3D animation, the game is played entirely as a classic Mario Bros. sidescroller. The result is fantastic; one of the best-looking Mario games out there.

Once the visuals combine with the standard Mario-style tunes, it’s all good. Most of the music in the game is reminiscent of the island music found in Mario Sunshine for the GameCube, but there are just enough nods to the classic titles to keep fans happy. Ducking into the right pipe hits you with the old-school cave music from SMB3, or stopping the timer just right at the end of the level triggers the SMB1 goal music, complete with fireworks.

Best in Class

It’s an indication of just how great a series is to say that one of the weaker titles is still miles ahead of almost anything else in the genre. New Super Mario Bros. definitely doesn’t live up to the standards set by the games it apes, but there’s still no better sidescroller to be found on the DS.

Review By: Greg Sewart