In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day, each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations.
Assessing 2D Mario games in the 'New' series in 2015 naturally features arguments of repetition, frequency of releases and some calls for fresh ideas. Those debates and points were particularly voluble in 2012, which brought us both New Super Mario Bros. 2 on 3DS and New Super Mario Bros. U as a Wii U launch title. For some, there was just too much 2D Mario at one time.
In 2006, however, the arrival of New Super Mario Bros. on DS was hugely significant. Almost unbelievable to consider now, but it was actually the first new 2D Mario game in around 14 years when it arrived, with its predecessor - excluding spin-offs featuring Wario or Yoshi and remakes - being Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins on the Game Boy. In previous entries in this series we've written about Nintendo experimenting with new ideas and characters and bolting on the Super Mario brand, and then focusing years of effort and resources into 3D Mario gaming. Classic 2D Mario platforming just fell off the radar for multiple generations.
In that context, the 'New' branding made sense, and there was huge buzz when Nintendo unveiled the look of the game on DS - adopting 3D modelling and polygons for a 2.5D impression, it was a major change in 2D Mario platforming. Ideas and moves from the 3D games transitioned across, too, such as butt stomping and wall jumping, while level design had greater freedom and capabilities compared to what had been possible way back in the early '90s.
The dual screen setup was used fairly sensibly, all considered, with the touch screen having a handy button shortcut to activate a reserve power-up item. Nintendo also used power-ups to change a typical Mario-game structure - the Mini Mushroom, for example, was a necessity in order to access special pipes and even world exits. There were 8 worlds, as always, but the game could be beaten while skipping some entirely; accessing the additional worlds - and collecting three star coins per stage - were tasks to add challenge to what was a fairly accessible core experience.
As it was on the DS, of course, there were minigames - and lots of them. In fact, your humble writer recalls occasions when younger family members would spend more time playing various touch-based minigames than the actual core platformer. It was a clever move, despite the possible objections from purists, as it helped lure in and entertain the 'Touch Generation' that was so integral to the outstanding success of the DS.
With three direct follow-ups since, it's easy to lose track of how influential New Super Mario Bros. was on subsequent Nintendo releases. It introduced new characters and features that would go on to feature not only in its own sequels, but across multiple series - the Mega Mushroom is an example. It was also a phenomenal success, with many of its sales coming in the latter half of the DS lifespan courtesy of its evergreen appeal. It sold over 30 million copies, is the best-selling DS game and at the time of writing is one of the top 10 best-selling games of all time.
2D Mario platformers are now an integral part of the Nintendo landscape, with Super Mario Maker on Wii U taking the series to a whole new level; let's not forget that New Super Mario Bros. was the key moment that brought Mario back into the 2D realm.
Comments 42
Really cool game. I remember at first trying to see how to reach world 4 and 7.
Also, this game is amazing to mod.
You can do some really cool levels, as well as insert custom music and graphics.
I remember getting this game on Christmas 2006. Ah, memories...
As much as I hate the NSMB series as a whole, I can admit that the original was refreshing. The later ones are the ones that deserve the hate really.
I received a copy of this game for Christmas almost three years ago due to a relative making an honest mistake (I had asked for NSMB2). Needless to say, I'm glad that I decided to keep it. The game was and still is a joy to play, and one that I occasionally still revisit in my DS library.
There was a 14 year gap without a "true" Mario game because Miyamoto didn't want to. DKC on SNES was done in part by NoA because the market wanted a SMB5 and Miyamoto refused to.
The only reason why we got this game is because the sales and marketing department convinced them to make a 2D Mario to improve sales against the PSP.
In fact Miyamoto HATES 2D Mario which you can see why all the love, bells and whistles go to the 3D series even if it doesn't move hardware while the 2D ones are made by B teams without many creative input.
I am glad this game was made and marked the return of 2D Mario even if Miyamoto's ego almost didn't happen.
This game was super awesome at the time, it was a very refreshing experience since there hasn't been a traditional Mario Brothers game in years, new Super Mario bros and new Super Mario bros U are the best of the new series. New Super Mario bros 2 and New Super Mario bros Wii were awful in my opinion.
I played this one countless times and like others have stated I really enjoyed the various minigames that were included as well. I want a reinvention for the next 2D Mario game though. After Super Mario Maker it has to be a drastic change to keep the gameplay feeling fresh.
I like the "new" series, they may not be groundbreaking but they are fun.
This was one of my favorite/first DS games and tbh I loved the mini games!
I'm confused by the Mega Mushroom part, wasn't it exclusive to this game?
@Xjarnold Well, not only has it reappeared in NSMB2 and SM3DW, but it can also be found in spinoffs like Mario Kart Wii and the upcoming Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash!
@MeatyDino Wow I didn't know that, I haven't played either title though so that's ignorance on my part, thanks for the quick response
@NintyMan Agreed. I'd go as far as saying that NSMB DS is my most favorite in the series, despite me enjoying the other three titles, even though 2 and U weren't as good as DS and Wii. I definitely prefer DS's bosses over the Koopalings and the castle theme is by far my favorite.
@Xjarnold Oh no problem! I just thought I would enlighten thee!
love this game!
So much Nostalgia. Can't believe this game is turning 10 years old, next year.
This game is one of the best 2d Marios because of its array of unlocked minigames from the get-go. The platforming was phenomenal also. The mini mushroom brought instant joy to my experience every time.
I just recently beat this game for the first time a few weeks ago and I have to say I really enjoyed it. To me this felt like more of a true sequel to Mario World then any other Mario game.
I love this game. I remember getting a DS along with Pokemon Pearl and NSMB from My grandparents back in 2006(?). I really enjoyed playing both and still do.
This was actually the first Mario game I've played for more than 15 minutes (I tried 64 DS, but to this day can't get into it), so the NSMB series always has a special place in my heart. Exploring secrets and discussing them with friends was so much fun, and playing the mini games with four players always gave us a smile.
It could be because I grew up with this one, but I always looked forward to new NSMB games. I think the Wii game was the first game I was ever hyped for, I remember checking the Nintendo site for news almost daily.
This was the very first Mario game I ever played, and it was really enjoyable at the time.
Personally while I loved a lot about NSMB I always hated how it dealt with power-ups- I wanted it to work like Mario World where for example collecting a Fire Flower would move your Feather/cape up into the item box so you didn't lose your current power-up. While NSMB did this for certain power-ups it wouldn't do it for the micro mushroom. Mario World would also let you enter a level, collect a power-up and then just exit the level to keep that item which NSMB also wouldn't allow.
So my main beef with NSMB is that several secret exits required a micro mushroom which was never in the level itself (or at least I never found one) which meant having to back track to an earlier level, getting the micro mushroom there and then finishing that level before being able to replay the level in question. If you died you'd them have to backtrack to that earlier level all over again just to get another micro mushroom!
I suppose you could argue it's all part of the challenge but really I think Mario World handled it much better and "wasted" a lot less of your time on re-acquiring power-ups from earlier levels.
Now if you want to talk my favourite in the NSMB series it is without doubt Super Luigi U! Everyone else seems to hate it but for me it was the best 2D Mario game since World (including things like Yoshi's Island). I've completed it at least 10 times now.
I loved the short, sharp levels they just worked so much better for me than the longer sprawling levels of the regular NSMB games. In particular hunting for gold star coins in the regular games was so annoying because many times you'd go through a pipe to the next area and then be blocked from back tracking. This meant you'd either have to kill Mario to start again or finish the level and replay the whole level over again.
Plus Super Luigi U didn't have any secret exits that needed a micro mushroom from an earlier level...
@Xjarnold NSMB2!
I absolutely adore New Super Mario Bros., and it was actually the first Mario game (and the first DS game) I ever played! What a way to get into the series, huh?
The only thing I never understood about the original NSMB is what exactly Mario says when clearing a level. Is it actually Italian? Or just English that I don't understand? A question that's haunted me through the ages...
New Super Mario Bros. went backwards, it doesn't stand a chance against Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World. Recent New Super Mario Bros. U was good but New Super Mario Bros. was mediocre, New Super Mario Bros. Wii was lacklustre and New Super Mario Bros. 2 was rubbish. Yes I have them all, actually I payed €45 for New Super Mario Bros. 2 digital (yuck!). My first Mario game was Super Mario World and then I got Super Mario All Stars and everything else...
I spent a good chunk of my late teens / early adulthood as a PC gamer only. As such, the DS was my first actual dedicated console since the SNES. Titles such as this one (and Pokémon) were the reason why I took the plunge again, and I never looked back since, having subsequently gotten a PS2, 3DS, Wii U, and soon a PS4.
Great game that brings great memories.
10 years? Wow. That's crazy!
Too bad the new series is just forgettable.
10 years? Wow. That's crazy!
Too bad the new series is just forgettable.
By far the best of the NSB series. I thought what set it apart from the rest in the series is that it included mini games that used the touch screen very well. I really enjoyed NSB2 also, but have never enjoyed the console versions.
I love the NSMB series sans NSBM2 (boring and easy game). I can't wait to play NSMBU. Welcome to the new Mushroom Kingdom.
@BulkSlash Some of those levels did have hidden Mini Mushrooms, if I'm not mistaken. Also couldn't you store a Mini Mushroom if you already had a Mini Mushroom? I thought you could, but it's honestly been so long since I played it.
This game, Phoenix Wright, and Jump Superstars were the main reason I wanted a DS. I played the heck outta this game along with the mini games included in it. I never really got into the sequels though.
This game, along with Mario Kart DS, were the 2 reasons why I bought my DS, and I don't regret my decision one bit. Based on the sales of this game and Mario Kart DS, it's safe to assume many others felt the same.
Sadly, the New Super Mario Bros. games have gone a bit stale over the years. I feel like Nintendo will take (some of) the course-building elements from Super Mario Maker and implement them into future New Super Mario Bros. games to make them feel fresh again.
I never actually played the original, just NSMBU. I found NSMBU to be extremely enjoyable!
@Samuel-Flutter It's possible there were Mini Mushrooms in there but I never found them, I just have a very vivid memory of having to play some other level over and over to farm Mini Mushrooms!
It's a pity my DS is in storage, I'd like to try picking up two Mini Mushrooms to see if it works. I have a funny feeling I tried something like that and it wouldn't store the second one but it's been so long I can't really remember what things I tried.
This game got me into the franchise. Ah, the memories!
Unless I get Bros U, this one is the best of them all.
Probably the only good "New" game...though Wii was ok since it kept reminding me of World.
This was by far the best in the NSMB series. It all comes down to level design and these were top notch. NSMB2 was schitcky with the coins and the Wii U game was okay but I felt lacked focus.
@Tasuki Are you Sylvanas? Sylvanas for smash!!!
@BulkSlash I think you are right. While some of the levels did have mini mushrooms in required places the only way to get them in reserve was to get them from the mushroom houses with the roulette block
Went back and replayed this game and sadly wasn't as good as I remembered. It's still fun but the other NSMB games have really improved on it and created some much more enjoyable level design. I think NSMBU is the best of the lot... if only it didn't have 3 very similar games before it. :/
@secret333 Lol either that or Heroes of the Storm for Wii U. And yes My avatar is Sylvanas Windrunner, who is my favorite leader in WoW.
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