New Super Mario Brothers Wii is an ideal traditional platformer that not only entertains but challenges you as well
New Super Mario Brothers Wii (NSMBW) is almost like, but not quite, all the 2D Mario games we all played on the NES and SNES, with the added function of 4 player and 3D graphics. It plays the same, it's presented the same, and none of those things matter. The reason Nintendo can essentially offer up a game that is very similar to something we've all played before is because it's done WELL. The gameplay is so tight that it needs no improving. Move the D-Pad in the direction you want to go, and you move. Wanna jump, press the 2 button, wanna fire fireballs, press 1. You can control the height of a jump, the speed in which you run, and have a degree of control in mid-air. Nothing about the Mario 2D platformer mechinics is broken, so why fix it?
It's difficult to review this game, mainly because it does feel like I've played this before. Nintendo have taken the features they added into both Super Mario Brothers 3 and World and made a new game around them. You have the item houses that allow you to stock up on items and use them in the overworld map, and there's the inclusion of Yoshi in certain levels. The Koopalings are back (featured in both games mentioned previous) as well as the flying battle ships from Mario 3. This game is more of a "best of" Mario game rather than something new.
So. New Super Mario Brothers, as I've established, plays out similar to old school side scrolling Mario. Bowser has kidnapped Peach again, and so Mario sets out to stop him and his kids, the Koopalings and Bowser Jr.. There are eight worlds in total, with each world built up of between six and seven levels.
Much like classic Mario games, there are secrets to unlock, which will reward players with shortcuts to later worlds. As mentioned before, there are also Toad houses scattered in the world map where players can win items, gain 1-ups and earn free Stars. There are also 3 Star Coins to collect in every level, which by collecting them all will unlock a massive surprise at the end of the game.
Presentation wise, this game looks solid. The Wii's limited graphic output doesn't show itself here too much. I noticed a big difference in quality when going from my girlfriends smaller TV to my 52 inch plasma, but Nintendo have said this game supports their AV comp. cables so it probably wouldn't hurt to use them while playing this game. The game is always presented in 2D with wonderfully animated 3D models.
The gameplay I've already mentioned, and is stellar as usual. However there are new additions in the way of new power up suits. There is the Penguin suit, ice flower, propeller suit and the tiny mushroom. Penguin and ice flower are almost the same, except the Penguin allows players to glide easily on surfaces as well as having better footing on ice and better control while swimming. The propeller is fantastic. A single shake of the Wiimote sends Mario spinning up into the air. Each new power up is useful, and don't feel tacked on.
Sound wise, this game is great. With all new level music, mixed in with all of the sound effects from classic Mario games, the soundtrack will please anyone who used to enjoy Mario during the 80's and 90's.
The 4-player aspect of this game is.... odd. It's the biggest selling point of the game, yet also feels like the worse part of it. I played through half the game with my girlfriend, and was easily frustrated by having her both, slow me down, and get in the way. Unless you communicate everything to your partner, it's easy to get in the way of each other. I found it difficult to play with a second person, so I'm in no rush to play with an extra 3. I would had been more than happy if this game was sold and marketed as a single player experience.
New Super Mario Brothers Wii is excellent. It's a celebration of Mario's roots, as well as an all new gaming world to explore. Although it's not the next step in the franchise, I've enjoyed my time with NSMBW much more than I did playing Super Mario Galaxy. It's a bright, challenging and fun game to play. I recommend it to anyone who has even remotely enjoyed playing a Mario game sometime in their life.