A fantastic game, but far too easy compared to the classic Mario adventures.
User Rating: 7.5 | New Super Mario Bros. DS
Finally, a new Mario game! After almost a decade of more re-releases then new games, the Mario franchise finally got an original 2-D side-scroller. The game plays through in classic Mario style, just what everyone's been waiting for. It's unfortunate that this game was simply just too easy. When you think of playing the original Super Mario Bros., you think of having to play through tough levels, where one bad jump could kill you for the rest of the game. No one gets that feeling in NSMB. Instead of falling in a pit to your death, you can just wall kick the edge of the hole and leap back to safety. Another thing- in the original SMB games, you had to challenge yourself with only a couple of lives (and it was hard to earn more). In this game, all you have to do is replay the first level for an easy FIVE extra lives each time. Even the old challenge of hitting the unlimited coin box is gone, as you can simply ground-pound the box and hold down until a free extra life pops out. Even with all of these problems, NSMB is still a good game in other respects. The graphics are fluid and pretty (especially during boss battles) and the sound is memorable and fantastic, just like you'd expect from a Mario game. Unfortunately, even with the amazing amount of extra levels and side-quests (I've played through almost all of them), the game is far too easy when compared to the classic Mario adventures. If you are new to the Mario world, however, I would highly reccomend this game. All in all, New Super Mario Bros. is a good game, but not the supposed heir to the original SMB throne.
