New Super Mario Bros. on DS (2006)

The old 'uns are the best 'uns

ChrisBarraclough from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 16/06/2008

Okay kiddies, there's no need to tell you the 'plot' of this game, for the good reson that there is none. There's also no real need to explain the gameplay. If there is anyone in the UK who hasn't yet played a Mario game, they must either be too young to adequately grip a controller, or living in a cave in Devon. Everyone's favourite non-Polish plumber is back with another 'classic' 2D adventure, and it's as sweet as ever.

World layout is the same as Super Mario 3 - you choose your route on an overhead map, which comes complete with deviating paths, hidden areas, and special bonus game areas where you can win extra lives and power-ups. The worlds are diverse and familiar, with the usual desert and ice landscapes making an appearance, and each is punctuated by big scary castles where you'll have to kick Bowser or Bowser Jr's arse. Of course, every time you feed them a knuckle pizza, they'll run off and hide in YET ANOTHER of their many castles - whoever said mortgages were becoming too expensive? Clearly we all need to bugger off to the Mushroom Kingdom. For the price of a manky studio flat in London, you'll probably get a palace with a squadron of toad guardians.

Difficulty-wise, Mario ain't too hard. There's some sections that you'll replay a few times before you get them just right, but there's nothing that will drive you into a psychotic rage like there was in Mario Galaxy (damns yous, Spring Mario!) It's possible to save every three or four levels in general, which is acceptable for a portable (you can always power-save, remember). It makes me wonder how I ever had the patience to play through the original Super Mario World in one go, with a very limited number of lives. The graphics are great for a 2D game, and simple effects such as the way the water sparkles are pretty. But now I'm starting to sound like a girl, so I'll finish by saying there's nothing greater than turning into giant Mario and crashing your way through half a level (literally), stomping the skulls of puny enemies into bloody dust. Bwahahahaha!

For more reviews and talk about pretty water sparkles, visit ChrisBarraclough dot co dot uk

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Great Game

mumfromwales from Merthyr Tydfil , 27/05/2008

This is a really good game, very true to all the Super mario games from the past.

I wish it was easier to save though, you have to do a lot of playing before you can save your game and as it's a hand help game it should be easier, imagine being on the bus and you haven't finished your game, you'll lose all your hard work!!

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One Word

CaraHudson from York , 07/07/2008

This game is fantastic!!!!!!! Best DS game i have bought and think it is the best game ever invented!!! :)

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couldnt put this down

A customer from Cullompton , 01/03/2009

sooooo addictive, great game.

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One Word

CaraHudson from York , 07/07/2008

This game is fantastic!!!!!!! Best DS game i have bought and think it is the best game ever invented!!! :)

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The old 'uns are the best 'uns

ChrisBarraclough from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 16/06/2008

Okay kiddies, there's no need to tell you the 'plot' of this game, for the good reson that there is none. There's also no real need to explain the gameplay. If there is anyone in the UK who hasn't yet played a Mario game, they must either be too young to adequately grip a controller, or living in a cave in Devon. Everyone's favourite non-Polish plumber is back with another 'classic' 2D adventure, and it's as sweet as ever.

World layout is the same as Super Mario 3 - you choose your route on an overhead map, which comes complete with deviating paths, hidden areas, and special bonus game areas where you can win extra lives and power-ups. The worlds are diverse and familiar, with the usual desert and ice landscapes making an appearance, and each is punctuated by big scary castles where you'll have to kick Bowser or Bowser Jr's arse. Of course, every time you feed them a knuckle pizza, they'll run off and hide in YET ANOTHER of their many castles - whoever said mortgages were becoming too expensive? Clearly we all need to bugger off to the Mushroom Kingdom. For the price of a manky studio flat in London, you'll probably get a palace with a squadron of toad guardians.

Difficulty-wise, Mario ain't too hard. There's some sections that you'll replay a few times before you get them just right, but there's nothing that will drive you into a psychotic rage like there was in Mario Galaxy (damns yous, Spring Mario!) It's possible to save every three or four levels in general, which is acceptable for a portable (you can always power-save, remember). It makes me wonder how I ever had the patience to play through the original Super Mario World in one go, with a very limited number of lives. The graphics are great for a 2D game, and simple effects such as the way the water sparkles are pretty. But now I'm starting to sound like a girl, so I'll finish by saying there's nothing greater than turning into giant Mario and crashing your way through half a level (literally), stomping the skulls of puny enemies into bloody dust. Bwahahahaha!

For more reviews and talk about pretty water sparkles, visit ChrisBarraclough dot co dot uk

Read all highest rated reviews