Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3296 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo
• Model: 45496737689
• Released on: 2007-03-09
• Rating: To Be Announced
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Nintendo DS
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .50" h x 5.25" w x 4.75" l, .25 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
Hold on to your hats! Mario Vs Donkey Kong is back, and this time our favourite duos mean business! In our last outing it was up to Mario to save the day by finding all the Mini Mario's, but this time roles have been reversed and he must rely on them! Featuring easy accessible touch screen controls, over 80 different levels and utilising the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Service.

A whole host of Nintendo world famous characters make a welcomed return in this game, including Mario, Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong's long lasting love Pauline. Enraged and jealous by Pauline's preference for Mini Mario over Mini DK, Donkey Kong kidnaps Pauline during the opening ceremony of Mario's new theme park Super Mini Mario World. It's now up to the Mini Mario's, on orders from Mario to brave mind bending obstacle filled levels and reach the top floor of the theme park where Pauline is waiting to be rescued by her mini heroes.

The player's simple touch on the Nintendo DS touch screen using the stylus influences and guides the path the Mini Mario's take, you can also move blocks using the stylus to create new paths, ride elevators and conveyor belts and avoid hazards like fireballs. 'Thwomps', lethal lava and deadly water traps all lie in wait for our mini heroes on there march and therefore quick reactions, puzzle skills and a steady hand will stand you in good stead in this game. Donkey Kong isn't planning to play fair either, with new weapons in the form of Crash Kong and Capture Kong to use against our heroes. Sidekicks Mummy Guy and Snap Claw will do everything in their power to ensure the Mini Mario's do not reach the exit door preventing our Mini Mario's from moving onto the next level.

This game features over 8 themes and over 80 diverse and rich levels packed with hazards and puzzles, which will present new challenges to all players. What's more players can also create their own levels and maps with the 'new level editor' before sharing them with others across the world using the unique Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. This feature brings a whole new dimension to gameplay creating an interactive gaming context in which you and others can compete in levels you have created, as well as competing in levels created by others. Players cannot only download levels from friends using the Friend Code system but can do so from anyone around the world ensuring that players really are spoilt with long-term endless fun without restriction.

This is the perfect fusion of retro action and cutting edge contemporary puzzles and is sure to be even more exciting and fun than its predecessor.

Customer Reviews

A Polished Puzzler...

The idea of this game is to clear levels by guiding clockwork mini marios around courses of increasing complexity. Completing the levels is relatively straight forward - you can stop and start the mini marios whenever you want - allowing you to stop and think a bit. But to get a good rating, you have to collect all the coins, get all the mini marios finishing at the same time (chaining), and what's more, do it quickly. A very different prospect! Fortunately you can unlock the next level with a poor rating.

There have been two main criticisms of this game. The first is that it is too easy. I'd disagree. There's over 80 levels and, as well as completing them, there's the added challenge of completing them with a gold rating. I've contented myself with getting a silver on all levels. That's hard enough! The second criticism is that it is repetitive. On that score I'd agree. But this is a game designed to be dipped into every now and then. The controls and rules (which are very intuitive) need no re-reading. You can pick it up whenever you want and just dive straight in.

It's not new or ground breaking. But when you throw in the level designer, you've got a well rounded game, finished with the usual Nintendo polish, that is what the DS was designed for.

Hope this review was useful.

Another winner for the DS
This is a wonderfully addictive game. The premise (as is the case for most excellent ideas) is simple - guide "unthinking" Mario toys to safety, working through progressively harder levels, then fight the Boss at the end of each set. Yet despite being a format we've seen right from the beginning of video gaming as we know it (e.g. Donkey Kong) the game works. I'm 36 and enjoy it. My 5 and 8 year olds enjoy it.

The reason I give this game 4 Stars overall rather than 5 is because it just lacks a bit of longevity. I haven't tried the multiplayer options yet, so cannot comment on those.

This game's perfect fodder for a handheld. The DS is shaping up to be a superb choice with the growing library of brilliant "pick-up-and-play" games. So recommended!

A fun puzzle-skill game
In Mario vs Donkey Kong you control a group of robot Marios which you must protect from danger by avoiding obstacles. It's not a traditional Mario platform game but more of a puzzle game, like Lemmings, where you have to have good skill to pull off whatever approach you decide to use on the level. You only have to save one Mario each time but the more you save, the better, because it gives you more of an advantage in the bonus game that follows the levels.

I really enjoyed Mario vs Donkey Kong. It feels like a long time since a good game like this (Lemmings-style) has been released and Mario vs Donkey Kong well fills that void. I love the level editor too, which takes a bit of practice before you can make decent levels but which, with time, will have you making clever, inventive and cunning levels and trading them online with other enthusiasts.

My only problem with the game is that I'm not sure the Mario and Donkey Kong license really works with it. When I think of Mario and Donkey Kong I don't think of this kind of game and it strikes me that perhaps Nintendo go too far to spread their characters into every game they make. That said, the charm of familiar characters certainly does add something to the experience but don't be misled that this is a platform action game - it's puzzling all the way.

A stimulating distraction that further demonstrates the variety that the Nintendo DS has to offer. Well worth adding to a good DS game collection.