New Super Mario Bros Mini Review Compilation

Eclipsmon Now for this review we have the suggestion of Darthvadern: New Super Mario Bros. You see, the New Super Mario Bros games are pretty similar, so in order to save time, I gonna review them all, in one go, but it will not be as long as usual. Actually, it might be as long as the Overwatch review. But as always before starting the review, let's talk about what people think of this game. Well, the NSMB series overall is pretty lacking in popularity. Sure in the case of NSMB Wii in particular we have very good sails, but otherwise, in the critical eyes, it is seen as not original, and pretty bland. Even the first game of the series isn't as popular as its two very popular predecessor, who regularly reach FGOATs status for many people. Now, we'll see if I think the New Super Mario Bros are underrated gems or relatively boring experiences. Let's get started.

Let's start with New Super Mario Bros on DS. I will say, since we need to make this quick, I will say that the plot is very simple in all the New Super Mario Bros. All you need to know is that princess Peach was kidnapp again. Not a bad plot, but so simple that it will never be a selling point. Plus with Odyssey we saw that we could have a simple story that can have a significant impact, so I'll argue that we could have done better. The game looks good but not as much as Super Mario 64 DS. The soundtrack is my second favorite out of the 2d Mario games, with amazing tracks like the castle theme. The level-design is cooler than Bros 3, and World in my very unpopular opinion. The world map is a great combinaison of the Super Mario Bros 3 world map with all its Toad houses, and the Super Mario World map that has multiple paths. The bosses are a stand out, since it's the only 2d Mario game post Bros 2 to not have the Koopalings, besides the 2 Mario Land games, but those games weren't made by Miyamoto so they don't count. Therefore we have very original bosses. But the best part of this game is the Star Coins. They give an optionnal side quest for completionnist that was lacking in the previous games. Sure we lose them if we die before the end of the level which I don't really like, and we don't get an amazing reward for doing it, but first, it's better than nothing, and second, it's the kind of side quest that is good for the sidequest itself rathen than the reward, which are the type of sidequest that I like. Overall, this game is in the good direction for making something new with the 2d Mario formula, but it still needs something to really stand out.

Next we have New Super Mario Bros Wii. The graphics are good, but not as much as Galaxy. I'm starting to feel a pattern. The music isn't quite as good as the original New Super Mario Bros, but is still good, and the music of the final boss in particular is the best music out of all the 2d Mario games. The level-design is even better than in New Super Mario Bros , but only slightly. An improvement is that now the Star Coins let you unlock cinematics. As for the bosses, they have some originality, despite being only the Koopalings, but they aren't as cool as in New Super Mario Bros. Overall, I think New Super Mario Bros Wii is about as good as its predecessor, but I sligthly prefer it.

Now, here is New Super Mario Bros 2. I think this game gets too much hate, but the bosses, and levels are still slightly worst than in its two predecessor. As for the graphics, they are good, but not as good as 3d Land, and the music is copy paster from the last game. While the game has coin gimmick that is interesting, they don't do a lot with it (I mean they could have put Wario in the game since he is often associated with coins). Overall, this game is still good, but non of its good points are things we can't say about previous games in the series but better, and is pretty lazy.

Finally, New Super Mario Bros U. I will talk about the Deluxe version combined with Luigi U, since this is the best version of the game. I mean it's the same game but better. The soundtrack is more different fro Wii, than Bros 2, but still is very similar. The graphics are not that good for Wii U or Switch standards, but it is one of the first games on the Wii U so it's excusable. Far worst looking than 3d World though. The world map is the best it ever been, with a seemless transistion between levels, and the cannons being take out to be replace with alternate shortcuts to other world, which is better in my opinion. The plot is slighty more interesting than in previous games, since now Bowser took over princess Peach's castle. It's not much, but now you have the added motivation of having Peach's castle back. The levels are overall the best in any 2d Mario games on pure paper, and even for the bosses who are the Koopalings again, there is a gimmick that makes them interesting, like Morton's hammer for example. Probably the best bosses in 2d Mario games. Add that New Luigi U, and the challenge mode, and you have the best New Super Mario Bros games in my opinion.

So what's the verdict. Well, this game is an interesting case, because I both agree and disagree with the opinion most people have with this game. On one hand, let's just say my rating on this game: 9/10. Those games have no glaring weaknesses, and I think most people would agree with that, however they have nothing to make them stand out, which is why they don't have a 10/10. On the other hand, let me tell you a story. One time I saw a top 10 made by screw attack about the best levels in 2d Mario. I didn't play the new Super Mario Bros games for a while, and the guy that made that list pretty much said that the NSMBs doesn't have a great level design compare to Bros 3, and World. And by seeing all the levels they put on that list, I pretty much agreed with them. One day however, I replayed the NSMBs, and realized, something. The levels are actually better than in World and Bros 3. Sure they might be more original considering their time, but nowadays, they are not as special. So basically, yes, the NSMBs are not special, but so aren't Bros 3, and World. And it's not because of nostalgia, since like I said, I misremembered those games before replaying them.

Next time, we'll do another one of BorisRule suggestions: Super Mario Bros. Don't hesitate to give me more suggestions if you want, for video games or movies that I can review.

Comments

I agree that it's incredibly overhated. As seperate games, these are pretty fun stuff to play when you're bored. I liked the DS one as it started it all and the level design is fun. But the lack of a bonus world is sad and the bosses weren't that interesting honestly but rather predictable... Wii was my first one and I love it as the Koopalings all had interesting boss battles and the music is my favourite actually. 2 is the weakest, but it's still fun collecting coins. U was easily the best one in my opinion though due to the most content. - visitor (3/30/2020)

I was kind of surprise to see a commentary like that, since you made a comment in my unpopular opinions list that said that you disagree when I said that the New Super Mario Bros games are better than World and Bros 3. I guess that you just disagree about my comparaison to World and Bros 3, but agree that the NSMBs are underrated. - Eclipsmon (3/30/2020)

Yeah, exactly that - visitor (3/30/2020)