At GamerPops, we don’t typically get advance review copies of games (yet), and we typically don’t play games 6-8 hours per day as our job (yet). So when a new AAA title comes out, we’re usually stuck standing in line like everybody else to pick up our copy of the game, then go home and play it in between day jobs, diaper changes, meals, spouse time, and other commitments. This can result in delays getting out the opinions and reviews that matter most to you, our loyal reader: Ours. So for those of you who want to get a game on launch day, but aren’t sure if it’s worth it to you, we’re going to do for you what we would do for us: read the early reviews on Metacritic and try to get a feel for how good the game is.
Today’s title is New Super Mario Bros. Wii for… (wait for it) the Nintendo Wii. As is becoming the norm with AAA titles from The Big N, this game is releasing on a Sunday, November 15th to be exact. So, what are the early reviews saying about the latest 2D side scrolling platformer featuring everyone’s favourite plumbers and mushroom headed, um, people?
Currently, the game sits at an 87 on Metacritic. All scores are sitting in the 85-100 range, save for a 70 from Edge Magazine bringing the aggregate down. The game is getting quite a bit of praise with only a couple of small complaints. Here are the common threads from the reviews so far.
Pops
- The game is ridiculously fun, especially the multiplayer aspect.
- Many kudos for creativity in level design.
- Old favourites (enemies, suits) that you know and love, and new takes on these that make it fresh.
- The game’s difficulty level is ramped up. This was treated as a good thing.
- Assistance, such as Super Guide (die enough times and you can have Luigi play the level for you) and video tips unlocked with coins, was well received. It balances the difficulty level nicely.
- Penguin outfit FTW: throw snowballs to freeze opponents, better ice traction, and swim like, well, a penguin.
Flops
- 3P and 4P are both Toads, and when powered up they become confusing to track as they then look too similar.
- The lack of online multiplayer was harped on. Even though we were told this was to make the game run smooth, it was still knocked down because of this.
Mehs
- Motion control seemed to be hit and miss. Some thought it was well done, some felt it was too touchy and unnecessary.
Author’s Take: Looking at all of this, New Super Mario Bros. Wii strikes me as a game that I can throw in and play with Mamajuice and Oldest Son. We can also throw in Oldest Son’s friend across the street for a foursome. If the levels get too hard for the younger set, we can carry them through it, or take advantage of Super Guide since none of us are completionist nerds for the most part. Of course, we’d probably just spend the whole time taking each other out, because six-year-old boys find that kind of thing funny. Either way, it’s all good. That, plus, it’s freaking 2D sidescrolling platform with Mario. That alone is money in the bank. This has a high probability of purchase, and the only question is if we crack it open on launch day, or save it for Christmas.
