There's no other way to re-invent Mario Bros. like going back to the days of side-scrolling!
As most Mario adventures begin, Bowser, well Mini-Bowser has kidnapped Princess Peach from Mario's grasp. Mini-Bowser hides away in each of the world's castle while Mario must go through each of the stages to progress to the castle. The New Super Mario Bros. follows similar gameplay to that of Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World. To advance towards the castle, you must defeat the stage at hand. And just like in previous Mario games, there are shortcuts to skip worlds, that is if you can resist the temptation to complete the whole game properly!
However, New Super Mario Bros. has certain differences besides the graphics that make it stand out from it's brothers. Mario is equipped with several techniques that were taken from Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. Developers have innovatively used these techniques to become beneficial to the 2D platformer. The triple jump, wall jump and ground pound have all been incorporated excellently into the jump and do play a substantial part in the game.
Also making this game unique is the different type of power ups Mario or Luigi can get. They are the normal power ups such as the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman. Adding new additions to the power ups list, and probably the one that stands out amongst the new power ups is the Mega Mushroom. When Mario or Luigi find this mushroom, they grow into gigantic proportion, which in fact is about the height of the screen. Whilst in this mode, they are basically invincible, crushing almost anything in your path. Although they are only temporary, it has a damage metre which gives you extra 1up Mushrooms depending on how many things you destroy. Along with the Mega Mushroom, ironically comes the Tiny Mushroom. As the name suggests, it reduces Mario and Luigi to a miniscule size, smaller than that of their normal size. With this, it allows them to fit into small spaces and pipes, is capable of jumping higher and further, and able to run across water. It proves useful at times, but renders its superior weakness of being unable to destroy enemies. The last new power up and probably the most bizarre is the Koopa Shell. When Mario or Luigi are equipped with this, they gain the skills of a Koopa. When you run and pick up pace, you'll turn into a sliding Koopa shell, knocking your enemies into oblivion. All these items make great additions to the Mario franchise and give the New Super Mario Bros. game its own different style to that of its predecessors.
The main quest of the game only requires little use of the touch screen, but is used for the sole purpose of the mini-games. There are a range of weird and addicting mini-games that will entertain you if you aren't feeling up for the main quest. Games range from memorising, puzzle-solving, action and table card games. Each mini-game makes great use of the touch screen and reacts quite well to most games. Over time however, it becomes repetitive as the only reason you may be playing it is to your friends score or your own.
The Wi-Fi system is also available for use in New Super Mario Bros. Up to 2 players (Mario or Luigi) duke it between themselves for the stars. Each stage has a certain amount of stars to be found and the one who has the most at the end wins. During this time, you can search for stars or even knock them out of your opponent. It's a simplistic multiplayer game which further shows the capabilities of the Wi-Fi connection system but probably not suited to this game as it's the main quest you'll be more likely your main concern.
The graphics of this game is definitely unique in terms of it being a 2D platformer. Classic 2D side-scrolling is combined with 3D visuals that will knock any Mario fan off their feet. The levels spark the difference as it is completely different from past Mario games. Mario and Luigi also look superb as do their enemies. Overall, an ingenious idea that will delight those new and old to this franchise.
Sounds of New Super Mario Bros. will also bring a feeling of unfamiliarity; while at the same time bring about the sounds that were introduced 20 years ago. You'll notice classic sound effects such as the gaining of a Super Mushroom, the similarities of the jump and the on-time quirks of Mario and Luigi. What most gamers will notice is that the background has been modified and changed to give it that feel of a new age in Mario gaming while keeping the same powerful songs heard in previous games.
Around 20 years since this franchise was born, and while keeping the classic formula the same, it is still able to bring something new to the table. Although the mini-game section does feel like a last-minute add-on to make use of the DS technology, it is the single player quest that will really excite gamers, for its innovative use of using the classical 2D side-scrolling adventure formula and its beautiful 3D visuals, making it a great addition to the Mario Universe.