New Super Mario Bros. review

The way games used to be

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Length aside, there are still a few other weird issues that cling to the game. The three new power-ups don’t add much, and in the case of the blue turtle shell, are more likely to be avoided than sought after. The mega and mini mushrooms are fun to play around with (growing huge and shrinking, respectively), but aren't useful in a consistent way. Thus, you're left with just the fire flower - there isn't even a raccoon tail/magic cape to fly with, a series highlight that will be missed.

But what New SMB lacks in the single player, it covers up with a sweet two-player versus mode. You each control one of the Bros., and run through specifically designed levels in search of stars. Whoever gets them all first, wins. Grabbing them isn't the problem, though, it's keeping them. You can jump on the other guy to make him drop a star, or toss a fireball at him, or even nudge him into a bottomless pit. One notably cool moment was Luigi eating a mega mushroom and tearing through a pipe maze as tiny Mario hopelessly tries to stay ahead of the shredding plumbing, chasing his bouncing, escaped star.

More info

GenreAction
DescriptionShort and sweet, the Bros. first adventure in years packs in tons of classic moments and a hot two-player mode. Not to be missed.
Platform"DS"
US censor rating"Everyone"
UK censor rating""
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Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.