Here We GO!!!

Game: New Super Mario Bros.

Platform: DS

Publisher: Nintendo

Let's walk down memory lane as we think of the original Super Mario Bros. game. Wasn't it great? A true masterpiece. Now with New Super Mario Brothers, I think I can speak for all when I say that the game got better.

Unlike the original, New Super Mario Bros. has a distinctive storyline. Bowser Jr. kidnaps Peach and Mario follows. One of the most unique features of the game is the world design/level design. Each world now has multiple levels, which some are optional.

The game play is as smooth as a baby's bottom. You use the A, B, Y, and X buttons to navigate various levels. On the touch screen, there is always a progress line in the form of a timeline. Instead of just using the regular super and fire shrooms, you can also use shrooms like, the mega shroom, the tiny shroom, and the shell shroom.

One thing that makes the game so enjoyable to play is that you don't have to travel to every world, you can skip two or three and right to the eighth.

During a level, you pretty do the same thing that you would have done in the last game; fight enemies, and solve your way through puzzles and on to the flag. The use of the stylus is very obsolete and when you do need it, it will not be during the game play. If you gain more than mushroom and you can't upgrade then you can save it for when{or if} you take damage. You just touch it on the screen and voul-la!! One thing that was completely re-modified was that is was much more challenging. Launching into high heights, bouncing and moving platforms, and sneaky traps gives the game its frustrating but satisfying flavor.

Besides the single player mission, there are other optional attributes that makes you want to play the game again and again. If you and a friend want to play, you can compete for stars in an enclosed scroll screen and the one who has the most wins. Also, there is a mini games section that is always a delight to play when you get frustrated at playing the single player mode. As you complete the game, you earn more mini-games. Most mini- games require the stylus but the functions are usually comfortable to use.

When Nintendo first released this game, they bundled it with the DS Lite. I can say that the reason was to get people to buy with their DS Lite. I think their economic plan is worth falling for, get the New Super Mario Bros. bundled with your DS if you don't have one, and if you just don't have the game but have a DS, then there is something wrong with you.

5/5 This game is the younger sibling of its older masterpiece. A true joy.