GENRE
	Platforming
	DEVELOPER
	Nintendo
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	LOCAL WIRELESS MULTI-PLAY
	Yes
	Wi-Fi/GLOBAL ONLINE MULTI-PLAY
	No
	MICROPHONE
	No
	BUY NOW AT

Traditionally, sequels to movies, video games and the like sport a number after the original title, denoting where the particular iteration falls chronologically in the timeline of the franchise. In this regard, Nintendo has always marched to a different tune. Everyone remembers the mass hysteria that erupted when EA jumped from Madden 64 to Madden 99 with nary an annual roster update between them. Slightly less destructive but no less confusing was the monotonous use of Super sequels in the early 90s. The prefix has risen yet again, with one of DS's most anticipated titles of the year: New Super Mario Bros. This time the name makes sense.

visuals

While New's gameplay is still relegated to traditional 2D platforming, Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom have been given a polygonal facelift with fantastic results. As with most everything in the game, the visuals have been upgraded to fit DS's capabilities, yet still retain the classic Mario feel. From the tiny embers that float up from the lava in Bowser's castles or the ripples a fireball makes when it hits a body of water, the attention to detail is something the series hasn't seen in ages.

Not only do the graphics technically surpass Super Mario 64, but the animation also gets a 1UP over past iterations. Trounced enemies keel over and fall off the screen, and bosses, pushovers they may be, command as much personality as El Mustachio himself. Nintendophiles may notice that because of the increase in animation quality, everything in the world seems to carry more weight in comparison to Mario's past. While plumbers can’t stop on dimes any longer, the feeling of gravity adds to player immersion. Add in some wonderfully designed levels with both old and new themes, and DS has one of its best-looking games to date.

audio

Players will no doubt recognize the age-old sound effects that Nintendo uses endlessly once inducted into Mario lore. The plinking of gathered coins, the hyena laughter of multiple Boos, the high-pitch Casio noises Mario's joints make when he jumps: all these are par for the course.

Yet unexpectedly different is the music. While one may catch a whiff of a familiar ditty here and there, the majority of New's tunes are, well, new. Oddly enough, instead of playing in the vein of its NES and SNES brethren, the music often strays into Super Mario 64 territory. Unfortunately, the music doesn't stick and lacks all of the memorable hummability that makes the series' audio tracks so great. Nothing here is ear-bleedingly bad, but music is the one area where New falls short of its predecessors.

gameplay

While New certainly plays a prominent part, there's no mistaking that Super Mario Bros. is three-fourths of the title. Once again Mario, and a certain unlockable brother, must save Princess Peach, who seems to have returned to her damsel-in-distress role after taking the lead in her own DS game. It's off to the rescue yet again using only two planes of movement, and fans would not have it any other way. Hazardous jumps, pesky enemies, power-ups and booby traps are the stuff of childhood. New takes these fond memories and injects just the right amount of change. This much is evident the first time Mario grabs a mushroom two worlds in, only to grow to the size of the screen, leaving a path of destruction in his wake as he charges through the level.

New not only fits snugly into the engorged nostalgia of the gaming populace, but it also is ingenious enough to suit any type of play. Those weaned on NES iterations can feel free to zoom through the levels haphazardly at a break-neck pace. Others who prefer the slower, methodical treasure-hunt that is Super Mario World will enjoy the wealth of secret exits and paths throughout the worlds. Additionally, completists have the task of finding three Star Coins within each level, which serve as currency to open up new levels and power-up Mushroom Houses, among other things. Whatever floats your blooper, New's got it in spades.

Spades might also be considered another term for what's needed to complete some of the tough challenges that lay in later levels. The opening worlds seem harmless enough, near to the point of disappointment, but the challenge comes quickly thereafter. Many developers use an old pattern to intensify their games, which usually entails giving a player obstacle A, followed by obstacle B, followed by a simultaneous charge of both. At times, New throws the whole alphabet at the player, throwing in ancient Aztec hieroglyphics for spice.

While these may seem like impossible odds, players might often finding themselves miraculously on the other side of the flagpole (yes, they're back, fireworks and all) before they know it. While New may be the most hardcore Mario platformer yet, it manages to overwhelm the player while keeping them in control. An impressive feat, to be sure, but potentially disappointing for jaded gamers who want a little mustard on their first run-through.

multiplayer

Multiplayer exists in a few fashions, from a competitive Mario vs. Luigi rumble, wherein players race through levels collecting stars, to a load of multiplayer minigames, many lifted directly from Super Mario 64 DS. These are fun diversions and well-suited to introduce friends and family to DS, but the single-player mode remains the main course.

overall

New sets out to simply give gamers more of what they want--more enemies, more levels, more bosses, more high-quality Mario. One can almost hear the trumpets as the classic platformer makes its triumphant return. Yet, to those yearning for a real evolution of the genre, New may feel like a step backwards. The aforementioned sticks-in-the-mud may just have to wait until Super Paper Mario for their day, running through Yoshi's Island once more in the meantime. Everyone else can bask in the glory of a new Super Mario Bros. At least Nintendo can name their games right.

9.2/10