New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS - 1st completion)
When I had to replace my original Nintendo DS because it disappeared last spring, I purchased a Nintendo 2DS as a replacement though I bought a New Nintendo 3DS over a couple of years ago. I wanted to keep this 2DS strictly to play my regular DS games left in my collection. I bought the New Super Mario Bros. 2 bundle pack that has the game installed (though I prefer physical media) on an included SD card. Since I love the NSMB series, I would have gotten this game anyways. Not much else to mention about this addition to the Mario series, outside of the emphasis on coin collecting and basing some of the level design on taking advantage of it. There is an online, DLC component to add extra challenges but it's not related to the main game itself. Still, it's a nice touch. I beat it last night with all star and moon coins collected, all secret exits found, and over 40,000 coins in probably around 10 hours of gametime.
The story is the same as past Mario games: Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser so Mario and Luigi go in hot pursuit throughout the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue her. The 7 Koopalings return to stop the brothers in each world too.
To see the whole game, go here or below:
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Graphics/Art-8
+ Nice, colourful 2D graphics. Practically as good as the previous Wii game. 3D effects also compliment the design.
+ Great level design.
+ Bottom touchscreen has all information, giving the top screen less clutter.
Music/Sound-8
+ Music from the NSMB series returns, sounding catchy as ever.
+ Classic Mario sound effects.
- There isn't really any new tracks, or those that stand out much.
Music Samples:
Title Screen
Overworld Theme
Underworld Theme
Coin Heaven Theme
Athletic Theme
Swimming Theme
Castle Theme
Beach Theme
Forest Theme
World 5 Map Theme
Volcano Theme
World Mushroom Map Theme
World Flower Map Theme
Controls-10
+ Controls are simple, same as previous games.
+ Bottom touchscreen allows you to tap a backup item whenever you need it.
Gameplay-8
+ New Super Mario Bros. 2 continues the style of gameplay from New Super Mario Bros., featuring side-scrolling platform action as Mario or Luigi.
+ Along with returning power-ups from the first game, such as the Mini Mushroom and Mega Mushroom, the game also sees the return of the Super Leaf from Super Mario Bros. 3, allowing you to tail-whip enemies or fly up into the air. Similarly to Super Mario 3D Land, an Invincibility Leaf will appear if you lose at least five lives during any non-cannon levels. The Invincibility Leaf grants both raccoon abilities and invincibility until the end of the stage.
+ The game's story has both single-player and multiplayer options: two players, each with his or her own Nintendo 3DS and copy of the game, play together simultaneously as Mario and Luigi. Like the previous games, players can collect Star Coins hidden throughout each level, which can be spent to unlock new areas on the overworld map.
+ The game has a strong emphasis on collecting gold coins, with various new items dedicated to producing large numbers of coins. These include Gold Flowers that turn blocks into coins, rings that temporarily turn enemies gold, and a block mask that produces coins as Mario runs. The game keeps track of all coins collected by you and displays the total on both the title screen and overworld map. If you have SpotPass enabled in the game, this total can be uploaded to Nintendo Network and you will be updated with the grand total of all coins collected by all players worldwide.
+ In addition to the main game, New Super Mario Bros. 2 features a Coin Rush mode, made accessible after you complete the first world. In Coin Rush, you play through three randomly chosen levels collecting as many coins as possible. Star and Moon Coins add several coins to your running total in this mode. However, you are given only one life and each level gives a time limit of 50 or 100 seconds. The 1-up Mushrooms are replaced by Gold Mushrooms in this mode. If checkpoint flags are passed or timers are collected, the time limit will be extended. Getting to the top of the ending flag causes the number of coins gained in a level to double. If you complete the run, the accumulated total of coins collected can be saved as your high score, which can be transmitted to and challenged by other players via StreetPass. Additional course packs can be purchased as DLC.
- There doesn't seem to be much new gameplay additions in this game - it plays very much like the previous other two. If anything, it feels a little stripped down from the previous Wii game.
Fun/Story/Misc-8
+ Has the same fun gameplay as previous NSMB so it easy to just pick up and play.
+ Having extra DLC for Coin Rush is a nice new addition for those who want to extend the life of the game and challenge other players.
- The emphasis on coins doesn't bring much new to the table. It felt a little desperate as an idea though admittedly, it can be fun to try and find ways to gain more coins. But this also makes the game easier because in Mario tradition, gaining 100 coins nets you an extra life. By the time I beat the game, I had around 350 extra lives!
Total: 42/50 (Grade Level: B)
The main New Super Mario Bros. 2 website is here and contains information and gameplay videos. The archived Gametrailers.com review is here and the Wikipedia article is here.
Next Game: Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PSP)
Currently playing: Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
