jorimslist.com - New Super Mario Bros. Wii ESRB content review

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Content review for this game:
Pertaining to the ESRB rating and My age rating.

Content-wise: While Mario and the gang stomp on enemy heads, cast fire-balls and use ice to freeze them; stages are filled with hazardous traps and enemies; and players can choose to "sabotage" each other during co-op/versus modes by directing each other into traps, enemies and gaps, all the above is presented in a whimsical, light-hearted fashion. And although some younger ages could find Boo ghosts and their drab mansions a tad spooky, or a giant, pounding, fire-ball spewing Bowser (who acts as the last boss) somewhat menacing, like all Mario games before it, this is unquestionably suitable for all ages.

Difficulty-wise: The controls are simplistic and easy to use, with Wiimote held sideways (think original NES—alternatively, it can be played with the Wiimote + Nunchuck); hold (1) to sprint, tap (2) to jump, hold 1+Wiimote shake to pick up and carry allies, objects and enemies, d-pad down to duck/slide, d-pad up to go through doors/cling to grating, along with motion controls, which include a flick of the Wiimote to do a 360 spin or ascend into the air with Propeller power-ups, and a tilt of the Wiimote left, right, up or down to rotate and/or shift on certain platform objects—Mario also has a few more moves at his disposal, like a triple jump and butt stomp, but said moves are rarely used for base traversal. As for difficulty, like all side-scrolling Super Mario games before it, most of World 1 is a walk in the park, but by World 3, thing become markedly more difficult, with more enemies, hazards and less power-ups. And by World 7, impeccable timing and precise movement are quite simply required, meaning no matter what your age or skill level, you're bound to die more than infrequently.

However, unlike previous games, the new additions make it far more forgiving, starting with the Super Guide; die more than eight times in a level, and a green block appears. Activate it, and an AI Luigi will then take control (you can retake control at any time) and run the proper route. You may allow Luigi to finish the level (and defeat bosses), which will prompt you with an option to either restart on your own, or skip the level entirely. Co-op furthers accessibility, and playing with (up to three) other players (the camera zooms out to accommodate larger parties) allows less skilled players to encase themselves in bubbles at will; this protects them from all damage (and can't be popped by those encased; only by fellow players), while the more skilled players navigate tougher areas—and the level only ends when all players fail. So, with the Super Guide, I see little issue with kids 7+ playing by themselves—especially if they're familiar with previous games—and with the inclusion of co-op (and bubbles), younger ages won't have any problem playing with "helpers" (siblings, parents, etc).

Fun for: Take an old-style, side-scrolling format Super Mario and merge it with updated visuals, new power-ups, motion controls, multi-player and co-op mode, and you have a classic Mario experience up there with titles like Super Mario 3 and World. And while new elements like its Super Guide, co-op and hint movies bring accessibility to a younger audience, Mario veterans will still find plenty of "throw-your-controller-at-the-wall" moments if they ignore the above and stick to single-player; and it fully retains the things they've come to expect from past installments in the series, like the highly replayable levels with alternate paths, exits and secret areas, as well as obscure Star Coins to collect and the "Secret World 9" unlocked after the first playthrough—collect every Star Coin in each of the 8 worlds (3 hidden in each stage) to unlock its 8 levels. Add all this with its aforementioned 4 player co-op and accessibility, and there's something here for gamers of any and every age—it's fun for kids and adults alike.

Gameplay sum up: Like the 2D perspective, side-scrolling Super Mario games before it, the base gameplay consists of entering stages from each of the eight world maps and navigating levels in a set amount of time as you plow forward; collect gold coins (100 nets you a life—hit "P" blocks for a slew of blue coins or jump through red rings to collect 8 red coins; get all in allotted time to receive a random power-up) jump, swing (with vines/chains/rope), shimmy and bounce (with portable trampolines) over gaps, dodge traps, bypass barriers (by scaling over or destroying them with enemy bombs), stomp on enemies (along with, in a handful of levels, Yoshi; he can swallow enemies and use his extended jump to reach higher places) and collect power-ups—from returning Fire Flowers and Mushrooms, to new additions like the Ice Flower (freeze enemies and use their frozen blocks to throw or reach higher places), Penguin Suit (swim faster, gain traction on ice and slide across it and water) and Propeller Mushroom—to reach stages' end and finish with a classic leap onto the flagpole...

Once that world's halfway point is reached, you'll complete a Koopaling fortress level, defeat one of the eight Koopaling bosses at its end, complete that world's remaining half, navigate that world's end fortress, defeat the first fortress boss for a second time in a (Kamek The "Magikoopa") magic enhanced battle, collect the next world's key (often following a battle with Bowser Jr. on his airship, in later worlds), and then move onto the next—which ultimately brings you closer to defeating Bowser himself and, in turn, rescuing Princess Peach. Additionally, the overworld map function is identical to Super Mario 3/World's design, and in- between levels you may visit the unlocked Toad houses to (depending on their roof color) acquire Star power-ups, match power-up picture panels for multiple power-ups (which can be viewed and applied at any time on the overworld map before entering stages) or use a cannon to align and shoot yourself into moving lines of numbered bubbles, netting you the total in 1-ups (lives).

The majority of world maps have more than one route (as well as secret routes that lead to world-skipping cannons) and enemies often block your way as they patrol along a set path; if you bump into them, you will be made to dodge their attacks while collecting Toad tokens—acquiring all of these tokens rewards you with three Mushroom power-ups and clears the way. Also, after you complete a number of levels, you can revisit certain stages to cart distressed Toads safely to a level's end (netting you 1-ups), and Princess Peach's World 1 castle can be visited at any time to purchase hint movies (level walkthroughs, hints, secrets, etc.) with obscure Star Coins previously amassed from completed levels. Last, of all, this game introduces a (local only) "drop-in/drop-out" (up to 3 additional players can jump in and out at any time) co-op campaign, along with the multi-player versus; "Free Mode," in which up to 4 players compete during stages for the highest total score, and "Coin Battle," where rival players scatter to collect more gold coins than others before the end flagpole is reached.

Comic mischief: While Mario, Luigi, the Blue and Yellow Toad duo and Princess Peach celebrate the Princess' birthday at her castle, a giant cake is unexpectedly brought in with (unbeknownst to the aforementioned present) several uninvited guests contained within. Bowser's eight Koopaling minions then abruptly jump out from said giant cake, grab Princess Peach and escape via Bowser Jr's airship, as Mario, Luigi and their Toad duo spring into action, giving chase. With an unbelievably unlucky Princess kidnapped for the umpteenth time, Mario and the gang will need to stomp their way through the eight enemy-filled worlds, the Koopalings, Bowser Jr. and ultimately, Bowser himself, to rescue Princess Peach from his ever persistent grasp, yet again...

Your enemies range greatly, from commonplace Koopa Troopa turtles and mushroom- like Goombas, to their several sub-types (including the "Dry Bone" skeleton and flying Koopa Troopas, giant/tiny Goombas, etc.), fire-ball-spitting Piranha Plants, Bullet Bills (flying bullets), exploding Bob-ombs, Boo ghosts and Cheep Cheep fish just to name a few, along with countless other types throughout the eight worlds. Mario (Luigi and/or one of the two Toads during co-op) can dispatch of the above enemies in a number of ways, including the Fire Flower to shoot fire-balls, the Ice Flower and Penguin Suit to freeze them into blocks of ice (that, along with barrels, can then be thrown into other enemies and shattered), a simple jump or downwards butt stomp (simultaneous co-op butt stomps send out shock waves), the Propeller power-up to drill down onto hostiles from the sky, triggered Bob-ombs to blow them up, and a toss of Koopa shells to take out any on its plane of movement. All the above causes enemies to simply drop or fly off-screen, or, when Yoshi's—he can also swallow and spit enemies out—stomp attack is used, disappear into puffs of smoke with a pronounced *pop.*

On the same note, players can sabotage one another during co-op and versus modes, by directing each other into traps, enemies and gaps or leaping on each other's heads until one falls to their doom. As for artificial hostility toward Mario and friends, stages are filled with traps (sinking/vanishing platforms; crushing blocks; giant drills; falling icicles and stalactites; twirling fire pillars, etc.), gaps (quick sand, poison pools, lava) and enemies, which begin with wimpy Goombas and Koopas, but ramp up to enemies that cast ice/fire and fling hammers/boomerangs, homing Cheep Cheep fish, lightning- fast Blooper squid, swooping bats, etc; when Mario and friends are finished by enemy attacks, they'll grimace and drop off-screen, legs flailing. However, all is presented in a whimsical, light-hearted fashion (enemies literally dance to the level songs, and the worst of "cutscenes" consist of a boss screaming in mock terror then slapping his own behind to taunt you), and although some younger ages could find Boo ghosts and their eerie mansions a tad spooky, or the giant, fire-spewing (last boss) Bowser somewhat menacing, like all Mario games before it, this is suitable for all ages.

Content review posted: 03/31/10

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Content review

Pros & Cons

Available on: Wii
More information: Wikipedia
Cover scans: MobyGames - CoverGalaxy
GameFAQs.com: Wii
Press: IGN: 8.9 - GameSpot: 8.5 - Metacritic (average): 87