A puzzle/platformer with definite polish. Though the gameplay will get a little stale a tad before the game's closure.
User Rating: 7.8 | Mario vs. Donkey Kong GBA
As pumped as I could be, I rushed down to buy the game, and upon returning home, I plopped it right into the GBA player and started playing. I was instantly won over with the hilarious opening cinema scene with Donkey Kong watching TV. Then as I endeavored into the first level, I could quickly pick up the superb polish that Mario Vs. Donkey Kong has. With every bit of clarity that Mario had back on the N64, he'll be saying hilarious phrases like, " Hey! Get-a back here you big-a Monkey," and " All you, it's all you baby." I think Nintendo has been in a comedic swing for the last few months and it also has showed in Mario Vs. Donkey Kong with moments like those. As I furthered my progress, I discovered more moves that Mario possessed, and new devilish puzzles to use put those moves to good use. Mario Vs. Donkey Kong does a great job on the puzzle aspect of the game through out. Even the Donkey Kong boss battles have a puzzle aspect to them, but most D.K battles weren't too hard to beat anyways. Through all my amazement, I did notice a snag in the puzzle/platform formula that the game so widely supports...basically, the levels become chores after a while, having you use Mario's same moves over and over. Not to say that the levels aren't creative, but they actually start becoming uncreative when you're stuck them, playing them over and over again. They just start becoming chores by the time you reach the 6th world (the last world), and that's something I can stand some times, but there are many that don't put up with games becoming chores ( I think we've all at least witnessed one moment that feels like a chore, rather than an entertaining game ). As for the extra "chores" that Mario Vs. Donkey Kong includes, you can try to beat all the high scores for every level to obtain every star in the game, and when you beat the game, you have the chance to beat it all over again, this time around, you'll be collecting one Mario toy every single level. I couldn't imagine wanting to play through the game again, well actually I could, it would be something close to being forced to watch White Chicks...and hell. Don't take that totally the wrong way, the game ends off with a hilarious ending, and will thrust a complete sense of accomplishment upon you, along with providing some creative and fun puzzles along the way. If you love solving puzzles, this game has plenty for you, providing 42 levels in all. If you don't love solving puzzles, expect to be wowed at first, and then quickly find yourself shutting the game off and letting it collect dust for the rest of its dormant life.
