If you're looking for an enjoyable, almost relaxing puzzle game then March Of The Minis is worth a go.
For starters, don't expect the same sort of gameplay that featured in the first game. This is a sequel in name only, since the control method and basic game mechanics are completely different from those of the GBA game. You're no longer controlling Mario with the D-pad and guiding him through a number of levels to defeat Donkey Kong, as the moustachioed plumber isn't even in the game (except for in a couple of fantastic cut-scenes that make great use of the DS's two screens). Instead you're in charge of the Mini Marios, a group of clockwork toys who have to make their way to the top of a building in order to rescue Mario's lady friend, Pauline, from the clutches of Donkey Kong.
Although at first glance March Of The Minis may be reminiscent of puzzle games such as Lemmings, the gameplay here is more relaxed as you have much more control over your Minis' actions. Instead of selecting and assigning tasks from a menu, you control the Minis using the touch screen. Sliding the stylus horizontally across a Mini makes him walk in that direction, while sliding it over him in the opposite direction will make him go the other way. Moving the stylus up makes your Mini jump, and tapping on him makes him stop in his tracks and await instructions.
This control system - particularly the fact you can stop your Minis so you can think about what to do next - makes the game less of a frantic test of quick thinking and more of a tactical, patient process. Yet while this more relaxed pace may be better for your blood pressure it does make the game less of a challenge. Maybe it's the fact that most of us at ONM were raised on fiendishly difficult puzzle games like Solomon's Key, but we were able to saunter through March Of The Minis without too much hassle.
And while we completed some levels in the last world in one go, other levels about halfway through the game took us a couple of goes to get past. There doesn't appear to be any sort of difficulty curve, with levels randomly ranging from easy to moderately straightforward.
Take It Easy
Here's an example of a typical puzzle - and bear in mind that this is the 50-somethingth level, so it's well past halfway. One of your Minis needs to get to the exit but there's a Piranha Plant above him who's spitting fireballs so he can't get past. The plant's on top of an open blue gate though, and another Mini is standing next to a yellow switch. If you press the yellow switch the yellow gate opens but the blue one closes, meaning the plant is left spitting fireballs into the gate while your Mini walks under it. And that's it. Okay, there's more going on in that level, but it all consists of similar switch-pushing, gate-opening action. Once you've sussed the simple tactic needed, it's just a case of repeating until the level's complete.
It seems that instead of offering progressively harder levels, the game instead introduces new gameplay elements and obstacles every few levels, such as magnetic walls, moving floors and rotating pipes. However, the game's intuitive controls end up being its downfall because all these obstacles can be negotiated with the greatest of ease.
Most of the enemies don't offer much of a challenge either since many of them don't do you any damage, instead simply pushing into your Minis or throwing them up onto higher platforms. As a result they become more of an annoyance than a danger.
As well as the main levels, each world also has a whack-a-mole-type mini-game (unlocked by collecting cards that spell out 'minimario') and a boss fight, which involves firing the Minis you've saved out of a cannon towards Donkey Kong while avoiding his missiles. Though these other levels are enjoyable enough, they too suffer from the problem of being far too easy for more experienced gamers.
Thankfully, March Of The Minis' longevity is extended by its Construction mode. Here you can build your own stages using the simple interface, meaning you can make levels that are harder than the in-game creations. Once you've finished your stage of doom you can hook up to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and stick it on Nintendo's server for friends to download. There are also some Nintendo-created stages on there in case you don't have any mates with a copy of the game.
The level-creation function is a decent enough distraction but, ultimately, most people who buy this game will only use the single-player mode. And as entertaining as the solo game is, the hardest levels will be cracked before long. Yes, there are nearly a hundred levels, but when you consider that's just over 30 pence a level, most of which you'll complete quickly and never play again, it doesn't seem so impressive.
Not-So-Tough Guy
That's not to say that March Of The Minis is a poor game: on the contrary, it's an extremely enjoyable puzzler and is great while it lasts. It looks terrific and it's packed with charm. The biggest problem is that the sheer easiness of it means it might not last you that long.
If you're relatively new to gaming or buying this for a younger gamer then whack another 10% onto this score but otherwise, Wi-Fi features notwithstanding, this potential classic fails to kick into second gear when it comes to the difficulty stakes. It's like playing football against a team of seven-year-olds: it's fun to have a kickabout but you can't help wishing that once in a while one of them would run rings round you and give you a bit of a challenge