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It's my birthday + VG Review Special #5
15 years ago
General
Well...it's my birthday and all I have to say about it is this. Please don't bother sending Binky the Clown over to my house O.o
Also, as I promised...I have the special review of New Super Mario Bros. Wii for you as well
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Year Produced: 2009
Publisher/Developer: Nintendo
Game Style: Side-Scrolling Platformer
Additional information: This was one of the first games I got for the Wii...along with Tatsunoko v. Capcom, which I'll probably get to down the line in a future review once I play it more.
Sample Video of Gameplay: CLICK HERE
Plot: On Princess Peach's birthday, the koopa kids (including Bowser Jr.) hide inside a birthday cake and kidnap Peach for about the 9 millionth time and again, Mario has to go and rescue her...along with saving numerous Toads along the way...but I'll get to that in a moment.
Personal Experience: Since I only got this game about 4 months ago, there really isn't a whole of personal experience with it. It is a lot like most of the other Mario games, addicting and simple to play while also being challenging at times. The game also seems to incorporate elements of Super Mario 3 and Super Mario World into it as well...but I'll explain more about that shortly. This...along with Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Tatsunoko v. Capcom were the reasons I wanted a Wii in the first place. The thing that scared me the most was having to use motion controls in a confined space...which is why I waited so long to buy the Wii, otherwise I probably would've bought one shortly after Brawl came out. Fortunately, it seems like Nintendo found a way around this so that I can play the game without having to break out the nunchuk.
Things I liked about this game
+: Being able to use the Wiimote on it's side to play the game (This is a huge, HUGE deal for me since I live in a place that is relatively cramped. Not having to use the Wiimote + nunchuk is very favorable for me. That being said, I'm not implying that using the Wiimote and Nunchuk is bad, I just haven't tried it due to limited space*)
+: This game is considerably larger than most Mario games (whereas I could probably breeze through Super Mario 3 or Super Mario World in just a few hours if I were to buckle down on them. This game offers much more in the way of content, with more complex level design and more added features...which admittedly I haven't really tried yet, but still it shows that Nintendo wanted to make the game as fulfilling as possible)
+: Has an item system similar to that of Super Mario 3 (though not as many items)
+: You can choose any world you want to go to once you've beaten it (this is useful for acquiring items and 1ups)
+: Yoshi ('nuff said)
+: The return of the Koopa Kids (it's good to see those rascals once again)
Things that frustrated me about the game
-: Yoshi can only be found in a few levels (and you cannot keep him if you beat the level while riding him)
-: It took a little bit of time to get used to shaking the Wiimote and tilting it for specific functions (though it worked well overall, and it wasn't nearly as difficult to execute than flying in Super Mario World).
-: Toad (Let me mention something about Toad...In Super Mario 2, I love playing as him and I do it most of the time...unless there is a strategic reason for me not to. Most of the time though, he's an annoying bastard. In this game, you can play as a blue or yellow Toad...which I have no problem with, though it does require more than 2 players to do. But, you also have to save other Toads from various groups of enemies in mini-battles (similar to the Hammer Brother scenes in SMB3), which is also fine since they give you mushrooms to use when you need them. The thing that annoys the fuck out of me in this game are when you have to find Toad hidden in a level without you/him getting killed. Sure, some levels are easier than others to do this, but many times it's not worth it. Unless you can safely bring him to the goal without killing yourself/him in the process, I'd say LET HIM ROT!) >:3
-: The Super Guide (anyone who grew up with the NES Mario games or Super Mario World shouldn't NEED a super guide. Sure, the game has difficult moments, but you don't need someone to hold your hand to go through the game. That's what it's all about. We didn't have no "Super Guide" to clear levels for us, all we had were our own wits as well as possibly Nintendo Power, if you were lucky enough to have a subscription...which I did not. We learn how to beat the game by doing and by trial-and-error, the Super Guide is merely a crutch to those who are too impatient or not skilled enough to play through a Mario game without throwing the controller down in frustration. In other words, unless you're really young, say early grade-school...there is NO NEED for this. This is something that the IRATE GAMER would use to clear a level...and I have a feeling that this is not just me saying something sarcastic either, given his history)
Things that confused me from the game
?: So...if the Koopa Kids and Bowser Jr. are in this game, then where did Bowser Jr. come from, because I'm sure Peach wouldn't put out for Bowser...at least not willingly, and it'd probably be rather painful anyway if she did. However, I'm not going to go into graphic details about that. I'll just let this episode of Video Game Confessions do that for me.
?: Why is it when I look at the propeller outfits that I'm reminded of the Great Gazoo for some reason? (No...I'm dead serious, I took a look at the outfits and the first thing that popped in my head was Gazoo)
CONCLUSION: This game here is one of the prime examples why someone should have a Wii...especially if they've played SMB3 or SMW. The gameplay is simple and fun and it has features reminiscent of the NES/SNES days. It's not the best Mario game that I've played (that title still belongs to SMB3), but it's definitely more worthy of the title than say Super Mario Sunshine.
Graphics: 8 (For Wii standards, this game does well in the graphic department...especially in World 8. It feels more three-dimensional than the other side-scrolling Mario games. It isn't the best example of graphics for the Wii, but it does a great job).
Music: 7 (Much of it's the same from the DS version, with a few additions here and there. The quality is very good and it goes well with the theme of the game)
Story: 7 (While the story is essentially "copypasta" from the other side-scrolling Mario games, it does bring back the Koopa Kids, which I liked...so I added a couple more points for including them for variety's sake)
Gameplay: 8 (It takes a little bit of getting used to the motion controls, but the control is solid and easy enough to use. Aside from the motion controls, nothing else has changed for Mario...essentially, if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it)
Replay Factor: 9 (The game blends some of the old with the new, satisfying both older gamers and younger ones while creating a similar and somewhat unique experience. Also, it's funny to watch the Koopalings pull Bowser out of the ground, only to have the castle crash down on them) >:3
FINAL GRADE: 7.7/B+ (Not quite as good as Super Mario 3 or Super Mario World, but still enjoyable and a solid recommendation for anyone with a Wii)
Next VG Review will be on 1/15 when I will be doing the first Rescue Rangers game
*: I do have at least one game that requires using motion controls, but I haven't had the chance to play it yet.
Also, as I promised...I have the special review of New Super Mario Bros. Wii for you as well
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Year Produced: 2009
Publisher/Developer: Nintendo
Game Style: Side-Scrolling Platformer
Additional information: This was one of the first games I got for the Wii...along with Tatsunoko v. Capcom, which I'll probably get to down the line in a future review once I play it more.
Sample Video of Gameplay: CLICK HERE
Plot: On Princess Peach's birthday, the koopa kids (including Bowser Jr.) hide inside a birthday cake and kidnap Peach for about the 9 millionth time and again, Mario has to go and rescue her...along with saving numerous Toads along the way...but I'll get to that in a moment.
Personal Experience: Since I only got this game about 4 months ago, there really isn't a whole of personal experience with it. It is a lot like most of the other Mario games, addicting and simple to play while also being challenging at times. The game also seems to incorporate elements of Super Mario 3 and Super Mario World into it as well...but I'll explain more about that shortly. This...along with Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Tatsunoko v. Capcom were the reasons I wanted a Wii in the first place. The thing that scared me the most was having to use motion controls in a confined space...which is why I waited so long to buy the Wii, otherwise I probably would've bought one shortly after Brawl came out. Fortunately, it seems like Nintendo found a way around this so that I can play the game without having to break out the nunchuk.
Things I liked about this game
+: Being able to use the Wiimote on it's side to play the game (This is a huge, HUGE deal for me since I live in a place that is relatively cramped. Not having to use the Wiimote + nunchuk is very favorable for me. That being said, I'm not implying that using the Wiimote and Nunchuk is bad, I just haven't tried it due to limited space*)
+: This game is considerably larger than most Mario games (whereas I could probably breeze through Super Mario 3 or Super Mario World in just a few hours if I were to buckle down on them. This game offers much more in the way of content, with more complex level design and more added features...which admittedly I haven't really tried yet, but still it shows that Nintendo wanted to make the game as fulfilling as possible)
+: Has an item system similar to that of Super Mario 3 (though not as many items)
+: You can choose any world you want to go to once you've beaten it (this is useful for acquiring items and 1ups)
+: Yoshi ('nuff said)
+: The return of the Koopa Kids (it's good to see those rascals once again)
Things that frustrated me about the game
-: Yoshi can only be found in a few levels (and you cannot keep him if you beat the level while riding him)
-: It took a little bit of time to get used to shaking the Wiimote and tilting it for specific functions (though it worked well overall, and it wasn't nearly as difficult to execute than flying in Super Mario World).
-: Toad (Let me mention something about Toad...In Super Mario 2, I love playing as him and I do it most of the time...unless there is a strategic reason for me not to. Most of the time though, he's an annoying bastard. In this game, you can play as a blue or yellow Toad...which I have no problem with, though it does require more than 2 players to do. But, you also have to save other Toads from various groups of enemies in mini-battles (similar to the Hammer Brother scenes in SMB3), which is also fine since they give you mushrooms to use when you need them. The thing that annoys the fuck out of me in this game are when you have to find Toad hidden in a level without you/him getting killed. Sure, some levels are easier than others to do this, but many times it's not worth it. Unless you can safely bring him to the goal without killing yourself/him in the process, I'd say LET HIM ROT!) >:3
-: The Super Guide (anyone who grew up with the NES Mario games or Super Mario World shouldn't NEED a super guide. Sure, the game has difficult moments, but you don't need someone to hold your hand to go through the game. That's what it's all about. We didn't have no "Super Guide" to clear levels for us, all we had were our own wits as well as possibly Nintendo Power, if you were lucky enough to have a subscription...which I did not. We learn how to beat the game by doing and by trial-and-error, the Super Guide is merely a crutch to those who are too impatient or not skilled enough to play through a Mario game without throwing the controller down in frustration. In other words, unless you're really young, say early grade-school...there is NO NEED for this. This is something that the IRATE GAMER would use to clear a level...and I have a feeling that this is not just me saying something sarcastic either, given his history)
Things that confused me from the game
?: So...if the Koopa Kids and Bowser Jr. are in this game, then where did Bowser Jr. come from, because I'm sure Peach wouldn't put out for Bowser...at least not willingly, and it'd probably be rather painful anyway if she did. However, I'm not going to go into graphic details about that. I'll just let this episode of Video Game Confessions do that for me.
?: Why is it when I look at the propeller outfits that I'm reminded of the Great Gazoo for some reason? (No...I'm dead serious, I took a look at the outfits and the first thing that popped in my head was Gazoo)
CONCLUSION: This game here is one of the prime examples why someone should have a Wii...especially if they've played SMB3 or SMW. The gameplay is simple and fun and it has features reminiscent of the NES/SNES days. It's not the best Mario game that I've played (that title still belongs to SMB3), but it's definitely more worthy of the title than say Super Mario Sunshine.
Graphics: 8 (For Wii standards, this game does well in the graphic department...especially in World 8. It feels more three-dimensional than the other side-scrolling Mario games. It isn't the best example of graphics for the Wii, but it does a great job).
Music: 7 (Much of it's the same from the DS version, with a few additions here and there. The quality is very good and it goes well with the theme of the game)
Story: 7 (While the story is essentially "copypasta" from the other side-scrolling Mario games, it does bring back the Koopa Kids, which I liked...so I added a couple more points for including them for variety's sake)
Gameplay: 8 (It takes a little bit of getting used to the motion controls, but the control is solid and easy enough to use. Aside from the motion controls, nothing else has changed for Mario...essentially, if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it)
Replay Factor: 9 (The game blends some of the old with the new, satisfying both older gamers and younger ones while creating a similar and somewhat unique experience. Also, it's funny to watch the Koopalings pull Bowser out of the ground, only to have the castle crash down on them) >:3
FINAL GRADE: 7.7/B+ (Not quite as good as Super Mario 3 or Super Mario World, but still enjoyable and a solid recommendation for anyone with a Wii)
Next VG Review will be on 1/15 when I will be doing the first Rescue Rangers game
*: I do have at least one game that requires using motion controls, but I haven't had the chance to play it yet.
Story Commission Status
NOTE: Commissions usually get top priority when it comes to stories that I owe people...limit of 10 paid commission slots open at one time between FA and Inkbunny (IB commissions are shown in pink text).
1: Fira
2: Bigchris369
3: AsphaltLucario
Freebies (in progress)
rallyranger Bonus Story for purchasing a mini-series commission (In progress: 25% complete)
rayo_elgatubelo Story prize featuring his characters with Charlene (In progress: 25% complete)
Freebies (to be started) and Story Credit
NOTE: Any picture commissions have been converted into story credit ($5 per picture I owed)
rallyranger (1 3-part mini-series prize...separate from commission): Yet to be started...will start working on this as soon as $5 freebie is finished
PRIVATE PRIZE STORY FOR ANONYMOUS: Idea received...yet to be started (I hope to get started soon)
lonewolfsega $5 in story credit available
keeperofjunk $5 in story credit available
thewanderingpikachu $5 in story credit available
jade_styx $10 in story credit available
NOTE: Commissions usually get top priority when it comes to stories that I owe people...limit of 10 paid commission slots open at one time between FA and Inkbunny (IB commissions are shown in pink text).
1: Fira
2: Bigchris369
3: AsphaltLucario
Freebies (in progress)
rallyranger Bonus Story for purchasing a mini-series commission (In progress: 25% complete)
rayo_elgatubelo Story prize featuring his characters with Charlene (In progress: 25% complete)Freebies (to be started) and Story Credit
NOTE: Any picture commissions have been converted into story credit ($5 per picture I owed)
rallyranger (1 3-part mini-series prize...separate from commission): Yet to be started...will start working on this as soon as $5 freebie is finishedPRIVATE PRIZE STORY FOR ANONYMOUS: Idea received...yet to be started (I hope to get started soon)
lonewolfsega $5 in story credit available
keeperofjunk $5 in story credit available
thewanderingpikachu $5 in story credit availablejade_styx $10 in story credit available
Kidding! Happy Bday man! Relax, no Binky for you. I got something else in mind...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoPUHKZTNM&feature=related
Also, Happy birthday.
I prefer using the Wiimote with the Nunchuk for that game myself. (Need to get back to playing it.) I'm more used to it than using the Wiimote sideways. That's a little tricky to get the hang of. Then again, the other games I have for my Wii involve either both the Wiimote and Nunchuk, or just the Wiimote, but held upright. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the first game I have that where the default control is the Wiimote held sideways. (Though my new game, Kirby's Epic Yarn, also plays with the Wiimote held sideways. Need to play that and Sonic Colors.)
Also, found this: recognize any of em?
http://blog.games.yahoo.com/photos/.....985#OmgPhoid=1