So, tonight I went to check out GameStop's demo of NSMB Wii. Didn't go exactly as planned. For starters, it's been snowing over here like (frozen over) heck, and the roads really aren't very safe. Nevertheless, I got my mom to take my to my local GameStop (I had called them earlier and they said they would set up the demo at 3:00, and I came at around 4:something). I went in, and to my dismay, the Wii demo setup was displaying Wii Sports Resort, and not the next best thing since sliced bread. I went over to the clerk and pointed to the ad and he explained they had lost the key that opens the Wii. He was like, "I have the game! It's right here! [motions to gorgeous red box containing the next best thing since sliced bread] I just can't find the key..." He said if we waited, he'd look for a bit, and gave me this beauty for our troubles.



Happiness is a propeller hat t-shirt.
After rummaging around in a messy drawer for a while, he came up empty handed. sigh There was another location, but it was in a mall much farther from our house. My mom had promised to take me to the demo, so off we went. The roads were slick, and we couldn't really see out of my window. The lines separating the lanes had become nigh-invisible, and we were starting to fear for our safety. My mom informed me this was one of those times she let me do what I wanted against her better judgment. But, obviously, we made it. And let me tell you, the peril was worth it (in the sense that I wasn't disappointed when I got to play the game). I went in the store and asked one of the clerks where the demo was. He remembered me from the time I came in to pick up Scribblenauts and BIS wearing my rooster hat. The demo had its own setup, apart from Resort's. Although it was on a bulky SD TV, the game still looked great. Not exactly wowing, just smooth and classic. I had to wait for a few kids get pwned by Goombas before it was my turn. Level 1 was better than the DS one--I mean, without the Mega Mushroom, how could it not be? The propeller suit is decent fun, though shaking the Wii remote isn't quite as responsive as I would've liked. The default spin does almost nothing as far as I can tell, though.

Level 2 was the classic underground level, and not very memorable this time around, imo. There just wasn't much variety throughout it and the ice flower didn't feel very suited to the level. I'd still rather play it than half my Wii game collection, though. If I remember correctly, level 3 is where Yoshi is introduced. He adds almost a whole new dimension to the game. Swallowing everything from fireballs to piranha plants to Koopas, Yoshi turns an otherwise linear progression into a limitless playground begging to be exploited. And the flutter kick rocks.

At about this point, a Toad appeared on the map screen and was almost instantly kidnapped by a fearsome Goomba, and I revisted the first level and knocked him out of an item block and carried him to the end. It was no easy task, I tell you. The fourth and final level I was able to play was the game's first castle. It's one of those constantly scrolling upward levels full of Dry Bones and blue backgrounds. I acquired an ice flower, and loved it this time: you can finally kill the undead. Seriously. Freeze a Dry Bones and throw him against a wall. See what happens. After a bit, I was at The Door. Yes, that Door. Now equipped with a fire flower, I entered the fray...

Larry Koopa serves as a good introductory boss and not much else. He fires his lazor from a wand, hops around, and breakdances in his shell. That's it. As you can imagine, I made quick work of him. Though fireballs aren't as powerful as in NSMB DS, they still are extremely effective against this boss, at least. And, the first castle conquered, I saved the game and passed the lone Wii Remote to the clerk (yes, the idiots only put one Wii Remote out. But hey, I'll take what I can get). They were probably mad at me for playing it for so long. I blame Nintendo for making the game so addictive. So, from what I've played so far, this game is very much the 8.9 Craig Harris of IGN bestowed upon it. It is brilliant, absolute fun; nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't blow you away, but it keeps you playing. Nintendo's struck a fantastic balance with this one, and I can't wait to check out the multiplayer tomorrow. Cheers. :3
P.S. Feel free to ask any questions about the first few levels you may have. Though I suppose I am a bit late with this topic...
EDIT:
Messin' around with my DSi :

I had planned on holding off on buying these for the sake of my wallet...

...but I'm starting to think I won't be able to. :/ Maybe I'll get lucky and my local Gamestop will just be out of stock.

Lol. Sounds like it's a lot of fun. Mario was my first game, the first game I beat, and my introduction to RPG's, so I'll always love a Mario game. And this is one that I can play with my family. I can only imagine the chaos that will ensue (though, probably not too much chaos. I don't wanna run my family off from playing with me).

Congratulations for making it safely to the demo location and back. (I wish it snowed here). Sounds like you were a...umm...more skilled player than those that were playing before you.

Well, that's one hell of a story. I can't wait for these pictures.

Seems like missed oppertunity with only one Wii Remote at these demos.

You should have bought a second and got your mom to use it.

That's also known as asking for someone to kick your ass where I come from.

@Odnetnin.... where is it snowing at? In the South, I was in shorts today

This vid alone makes me want to buy another Wii for this game. The level design is incredible.

Well, after reading this, youve made me want to go back and play it again.

Me too!
Nice pics!

@Trevor_Fox Thanks. And never trust me not to exaggerate my Mario skills...
@Toddr Your pictures, sir.
@RaccoonMario+Ravage It was definitely a missed opportunity, and I definitely would've bought another Wii Remote had I known beforehand.
@The+Fox Oh. Are you joking, or do you care to elaborate?
@slapshot82 Er, more out West. And I've played the first to levels in the Super Skills video. I can see how those moves could be pulled off, but am myself a long way from them.
@Aviator Glad to respark your interest, per se.
@zezhyrule Thanks.

Do excuse me while ignore this, and every other NSMBW type thread that will pop up over the next few days. Which will be lots.

@Odnetnin...... nice pics, like the shirt. The controls have got to be very precise wich is great. I pulled out MarioAllStars yesterday to play some Lost Levels and man the conrols are horrid

@Machu....... Im holding you to you word

@Odnetnin
Joking...mostly. I didn't know people actually wore the hat in public.

I cannot wait for Christmas, when I get my hand on the game.

That's a story for the ages. But still, the pain is unbearable for me. I'm gonna have to steal a copy if this amount of awesome keeps coming out of NSMBW. (I'm gonna get the game for Christmas, but I'm very impatient.)

"The default spin does almost nothing as far as I can tell, though."

The only thing I've found it good for is getting coins out of flowers; kind of cool, as it's a nice subtle link to Mario Galaxy. Also, if you do it when you have an ice flower or fire flower, you'll shoot projectiles in both directions. It's fun!

I wish I could get it, but I probably have to wait 'till Christmas

I knew about that, which I suppose is handy. But about the flowers I had no idea. Will try when I pick it up today.
@slapshot82 Thanks. It's a bit big on me, though.
@The+Fox I doubt most people do. I'm one of those scary Scribblenauts superfans one tends to avoid.
@Super+Smash+Bros.+Fan1999+V8+Ninja+Cheezy Try to hang in there. It'll be worth the wait.

I'm enjoying it so far. Random thoughts: I'd put it at SMB3 difficulty level as of world 2. The levels tend to be longer than I'd like and sometimes feel kind of random because there's so much variety (can you have too much variety?). People worried that it wouldn't be fun single-player were quite mistaken. Hopefully I'll get some multi-player in by the end of the day. I have to wonder why they even bothered having a lives system if they're going to shove one-up mushrooms down your throat all game. The art style and music suck. I've got lots of little nags; the game's fun factor outweighs all of these easily though, it's just hard to say what's fun about it other than that it's Mario.