So I played NSBWii. A lot tougher then I anticipated. With up to 4players it is a classic. New power ups are cool. I hate how tiny the damn buttons are on the Wiimote. Actually I don’t like the Nintendo controller completely based on how tiny it is and how it really doesn’t work for traditional gameplay. The nunchuk and Wiimote combo works but when you’re playing traditional Mario you want traditional controls. Just the damn controller is so small. I’m wondering if the classic controller can be used but the instruction booklet does not indicate as such. Aside from those complaints the gameplay is very very solid. Fantastic game really but I would only play this game with a minimum of 3 players. Just to take advantage of the purpose of the gameplay. While I’m sure playing by yourself it would be easier to some degree it’s not the purpose of this Mario. I will say this I do not remember Mario’s jumping to be this imprecise.
I’m going out on a limb here but the actual physics with the platforming in LBP is better. The jumping aspects only as you have more control of how you land and your distance. It’s always give and take with Mario as toucan jump am incredible distance with very little run space. At the same time you couldn’t play this Mario game with that type of physics based jumping. Based on the power ups, movement and actual level design. I’m just saying that Mario could benefit from actual gameplay growth in regards to the mechanics. It’s tough to explain without referencing some type of example. But LBP is the only recent platformer that comes to mind. Also this game screams for HD and I’ll tell you why.
Because of how the Wii is the design of the games are still inherently made for SD gaming. When you play a platformer and your HDTV is essentially. Basically imagine a high definition landscape of a Mario level.It’s frankly sorely missing. It’s not necessarily just a graphical upgrade that would be apparent. It’s actually the visual presentation being used. It’s lacking here in a sense of visual fidelity. Again maybe it’s not something Nintendo wants. But they’re lacking for me personally. As such beyond NSBWii being fun to play cooperatively it’s not a must buy for me. There is homage to the previous Mario games in some of the elements but even with the fond memories it’s lacking that last critical punch to send it over the top. Coupled with it really hate the cramped space of the controller. It’s unplayable for my hands beyond short game spurts. Actually thinking about it more that’s probably what cripple my jumping movements with the character as I’m struggling to maintain quick movements from button to button due to the smaller buttons.
Anyway the game is fantastic but in some ways I still feel I’ve outgrown Mario. Playing this game solo is foolish. In respect to how far I am into the game I didn’t buy it.
Anyway I found a secret warp in the first world and we were able to jump to world 5. However it was so difficult with the 3 of us with how new we are to the game that we had to go back to world 1 to beat it. Now we are on world 2. Power ups are crucial and you almost need them to start a level to make things easier. In any event that’s my semi review.
Despite my grumblings I am still contemplating picking it up for myself. I just don’t know though again I’m not clamoring to do so after having tried it.
