An instant classic? Nintendo update the Mario formula but does it live up to former glories?
It's hard to believe that, Lost Levels/Mario 2 confusion aside, this game marks only the 6th core 2D Mario platform game. The original game is a definite classic, and from the enemies and music to the level design and even the core mechanics, (run, jump on enemies collect coins) had a huge influence on gaming for years. The sequels, whilst retaining the ideas which made the first one great, all added new elements and fresh ideas to the series. So does this game stand up to the legacy before it?
With a mix of new and old elements the game feels instantly familiar, and any fans of the series will enjoy spotting thier favourite enemies or hearing a new take on an old tune from the previous games. The biggest development in this game, apart from the use of the wiimote for several actions, is the co-op mode, allowing up to 4 players to simultaneously tackle the game. Whether you have played any other Mario games or one of the host of imitators, there is a lot of familiar ground here as you work your way through the levels, each contained in a themed world, with a couple of castles containing bosses and a few other types of bonus levels thrown in. These provide variety, and different levels need different tactics and skills, some focusing more on dealing with enemies, some on your control over your character and some on figuring out the best (or least deadly) path to get to the exit. This range of playing styles, often packed into the same levels, ensure there is always a new challenge waiting. The game takes the world map approach and lets you skip past certain levels, and also includes the controversial help mode which allows you to see how to do parts of levels which you are stuck on. This means that although later levels ramp up the difficulty, it is generally unlikely that a player will get stuck for too long. The prevalence of coins and secret extra lives also allows the more skilled player to easily traverse the levels without too much trouble. Replay value is added in the form of hidden star coins, and replaying old levels whilst rescuing other characters.
New elements in this game use the wiimote to control platforms, and perform spin jumps, most useful when paired with the new propellor hat, and also must be used to pick up certain blocks and any co-op teammates who you wish to carry. Along with the propellor hat is the penguin suit, allowing you to throw iceballs, swim more easily and also slide on your belly across icy stages. Another personal favourite of the new quirks is the simple addition that enemies occasionally stop to dance in time with beats in the music. The co-op mode is frantic, especially if have enough friends and wiimotes handy to make the most of it, although this has lead to occasional simplification of the level designs, with more complex ideas seeming to be thin on the ground as to support the multiplayer element and ensure 4 people can move through the levels easily. In comparison to LittleBigPlanet, the co-op takes no prisoners, and if you don't keep up with the lead player you are in danger of being left behind. This, coupled with the ability to pick up and throw your teammates, leads to some undecidedly un team like tactics emerging occasionally, which whilst initially adding to the game's charm, this can occasionally get frustrating, with characters bumping into each other regularly. It is unfortunate that online play is not supported in this mode however, and a little disappointing in the context of current gaming.
In summary then, this is a class act and a worthy successor to the Mario title, however this is at the cost of major innovation. Whilst the additions are good, the classic formula is adhered to strongly, and although this game serves to remind you just how great the old Mario games were, it still unfortunately falls a little short of becoming a must have. The game does not last too long, and most players should get through without too much trouble, although some effort has been put in to encourage going back to previous levels. Single player can be a little too straightforward, and multiplayer a little too hectic, but overall this is a solid game and fans of the series should not be disappointed.
How do you think this game lives up to it's predecessors? Leave a comment below and give some feedback!
Thanks for reading! Andrew
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