Super Mario Bros. for the DS

[BorneAgain 0]

From Gamespot

 

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Last E3, Nintendo gave us a lovely little nostalgic gift in New Super Mario Bros., the first core 2D Mario action game to hit a Nintendo platform in who knows how many years (at least, one that isn't a remake of an existing game). The graphics are polygonal and the gameplay is pure side-scrolling, but since any video game fan of age cut his or her teeth on the old Mario games back in the day, the game is sure to warm a lot of Nintendo DS owners' hearts when it hits stores in mid-May, just days after E3.

 

We were among the lucky few to check the game out early at the Game Developers Conference currently underway in San Jose, California. New Super Mario Bros. will feature three gameplay modes: a single-player game akin to the original NES version of the game; a two-player game that pits brother against brother in competitive action; and a variety of minigames, which fall into different categories such as action, cards, and puzzles. Nintendo has done a good job of including with its handheld Mario releases these last few years lots of different things to do besides the main game, and it looks like that trend continues here.

 

You don't exactly need a storyline to have a new Mario game, but Nintendo has gone ahead with one anyway in New Super Mario Bros. The game opens with a little cinematic intro in which Mario and Peach are walking along and spy the Mushroom Kingdom's castle being struck by lightning. Dutiful plumber that he is, Mario trots over to check things out, and while he's gone, Bowser shows up and steals Peach away--yet again. Time for a new Mario game!

 

The first two levels on display from the single-player game in New SMB were awfully familiar, since they look like they were taken right out of the NES classic. The first level looks a lot like the eminently familiar first stage, and the second is set in a similar dank, underground level as well (you're probably humming the music right now). You'll find the gameplay here quite familiar, as it's in the same run-and-jump vein created by this very series 20 years ago. You stomp on enemies, break blocks, and so on. You know the drill.

 

Then again, Mario has a lot more moves now than he used to. For one thing, you've got a new BUTT stomp, which lets you smash blocks downward, in addition to breaking them from below. There are a bunch of new power-ups to collect, such as blue coins, a super-duper mushroom that makes Mario about as big as one of the DS's screens, and a tiny mushroom that actually shrinks him, making him bounce off of goombas instead of squishing them. There's even a blue shell power-up that works like the tanooki suit from Super Mario Bros. 3. You wear this shell on your back, and when you duck, you'll pull it over your body so that when enemies run into you, they'll go back the way they came. The final icing on the cake is that you can save up some of these items and use them later, much like in Super Mario World. This time, though, you'll see your stored items on the bottom screen, and you can use them with a simple tap of the stylus.

 

Speaking of games like Mario 3 and Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. will feature a map-style over-world hub, much like the ones featured in those old classics. Previously, we'd only seen a sequence of side-scrolling levels, but the latest demo sends you back to the map after every level, and much like in Mario 3, there will be opportunities for you to access bonus stages and gain special items between the platforming levels when you find hidden elements on the map screen.

 

The game will be packed with plenty more gameplay besides the old-style 2D platforming.

In the two-player mode, you'll pit Mario against Luigi in a heated side-scrolling sibling rivalry. The two of you will compete through an endless stage to collect the most coins, and you can attack the other brother to make him drop all his coins so that you can pick them up. But come on, he's your brother! That's not very nice. Then there are the minigames--of which we only got to see one--which had us rolling a snowball up a hill with the stylus. You'll have to move the snowball left and right to avoid traps as you go, and the fact that the thing gets bigger the farther you roll it doesn't exactly make it any easier.

 

By the way, if you've been waiting as impatiently as we have for the new DS Lite to hit stores in America, you'll be tickled to know that all of Nintendo's DS software at GDC is running on the new little handheld. Wouldn't it just be a marvelous coincidence if the redesigned machine came out in time for the New Super Mario Bros.' May release? Hmm? Wouldn't it, Nintendo?

 

 

Screenshots

 

 

 

I've loved pretty much every Mario platformer ever, so I'm really looking forward to this. Gamespot's got some decent videos up at Gamespot as well.

[AndrewTS 0]

"I may have to get the system now."

 

I jumped on board circa CV DoS.

 

This looks good, but Zelda DS right now tops it for me.

[Guest InuYasha]

"I may have to get the system now."

 

I jumped on board circa CV DoS.

 

This looks good, but Zelda DS right now tops it for me.

You do realize we're one step closer to The Legend of Zelda: The Lampshade of No Real Signifigance, right?

[Scroby 0]

You know its funny....at first I was really excited about this game....then it got cancelled and I got bummed out......then its back again and I'm happy for it coming out and I'm going to get it, bu I'm not that excited for it.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

One thing I like that I read on Wikipedia...

 

Apparently, all 8 Koopa Children (The 7 original and the more recent Bowser Jr) are going to all be in the game.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

Wait for the DS Lite/Super Mario Bros. bundle before you do any impulse buying.

[luke-o 0]

I got my DS just for Mario Kart, but now im hooked on it. ive bought LOADS of games for it and i havent found a bad one yet

 

well looking forward to this game!

[Scroby 0]

So whats the release date?

[AndrewTS 0]

So whats the release date?

 

"mid-May, just days after E3."

[BUTT 0]

May 15, to be precise.

 

On a side note, am I the only one who thinks "New Super Mario Bros." is a really lame title?

[AndrewTS 0]

I always thought it was a working title. But it's 2 months away and hasn't changed, so I'm with you there.

[razazteca 0]

May 15, to be precise.

 

On a side note, am I the only one who thinks "New Super Mario Bros." is a really lame title?

Mario 128 would of been a better title.

[Guest Evolution]

Or, you know. Super Mario Bros. DS.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Or, you know. Super Mario Bros. DS.

Well, that might delude people into thinking that it's the original game, but with DS features (Ala Super Mario 64 DS).

 

This is an entirely new game, hence the "New" in the title.

[razazteca 0]

Super Mario Bros. DX2: Double Screen Touch'd

[Guest Evolution]

If I remember correctly, getting the fireworks over the castle at the end of every world depended on what time you got to the finish of the world, but I think it'd be a neat little extra to use the stylus to tap out fireworks over the castle.

[JJ Johnson 0]

It was how high you landed on the pole at the end, I thought.

[razazteca 0]

It was 1,3, or 6 had to be the last number on the clock.

[AndrewTS 0]

1up reports the date is May 21.

[Scroby 0]

Looks like the game is coming out on May 15.....again.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

And May 15th has been confirmed by the way of Nintendo. Stores should have the E-Mail.

 

Here's some new Media to keep the up the Smark Marks Appetites.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWhJtkvXNlE

http://media.ds.ign.com/media/682/682879/vids_1.html

http://mario.nintendo.com/

 

I guess we'll start the new thread in 2 weeks.

[BUTT 0]

This seriously has me more excited than any game release possibly since Ocarina of Time. This one better be real real good.

[Molotov The Bear 0]

I want a DS now. That youtube video is awesome.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Thank god I just bought a DS in time for that release.

[Guest Evolution]

Thank god I just bought a DS in time for that release.

 

Ditto. This looks awesome.

[claydude14 0]

DS lite comes out June 11th for 129.99 for those who can wait and still need a DS.

[Hawkius Maximus 0]

.............that Youtube video was amazing.

 

I must own this game.

[SilverPhoenix 0]

And I bring more good stuff.

 

http://ds.ign.com/articles/705/705537p1.html - The first Review

[AndrewTS 0]

Before New Super Mario Bros. entered my life, Yoshi's Island was, to me, the greatest platformer ever created. That title may now have to go to New Super Mario Bros.

 

A lot of what made Yoshi's Island so fantastic was how the designers used graphic capabilities to create and incorporate new gameplay elements into the mix. That's the same with New Super Mario Bros.-- the power of the Nintendo DS makes it possible for new elements like the deforming terrain, giant 3D enemies and obstacles, fully rotating environments, and countless other elements that are more integral to the game design than they are for "ooh neat" effect.

 

This game can easily be completed in a day if you simply romp through the bare minimum of New Super Mario Bros. level structure. Some levels are easier than others, and boss battles are a bit on the predictable side. To some, this will seem like a disappointment. But like games in Mario's past, there's more to this Nintendo DS game than the minimum requirements - far more levels and challenges await those who try and complete a level by snagging everything before the end.

 

However, Yoshi's Island had completely different play mechanics, different objective, and had those brutally hard final courses.

 

I'm skeptical that it's really that good, but at least it seems the game is going to live up to its potential.

 

But it's going to be too easy, which is disappointing. Ah well.

[luke-o 0]

Fuck dude this should be awesome. I think im gonna import my copy of it cause im too impaitent.