An absolute blast to play!
If it isn't broke, why fix it? That saying goes well with the game. Very little has changed gameplay wise for mario's latest 2D adventure. The addition of a few new powerups are about all, and triple jump and wall jump is about it. The games set up is similar to SMB3 because of the map screen. You move from one location to the next on the map eventually working your way to the big castle where Bowser Jr. is usually hiding out in. The only huge fault in the gameplay is that it is VERY easy. It also dosen't that it is a short game also. But it is easy to overlook this due to the quality of the old fashioned gameplay.
The graphics are some of the best on the DS, each area looks and plays differently. You have sand wastelands, water worlds, lava filled mountains, old castles, and more. It blends some minor 3d effects in the 2d world also. So overall the graphics do a fantastic job displaying the new adventure for mario.
Here is the low point of the game.. None of the new mario tunes were ever memorable, the classic theme remains intact only for a safe house stage. It just didn't cut it for me. If they were trying to go back to the old school vibe, then why not bring back the old awesome music? The sound in general is NOT BAD, just the music simply downgrades the whole catagory.
There is alot to do here. The main game will take 8 hours at the most, 15 or so to get all the secret coins. You can play multiplayer with a single card and 2 or more DS's. Also you can play a single player mini game type deal. But they are reused from Super Mario 64 DS though. Overall the replay value is enough to keep you busy for a solid week or two of playing.
Overall I think New Super Mario Bros. is in general a great game. It is not better than mario's previous 2d adventures buti it is certainly a fantastic game in it's own right.