New Super Mario Bros.

 DS
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 910 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 767 out of 910
  2. Mixed: 117 out of 910
  3. Negative: 26 out of 910
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  1. Dream_Imp_Luna
    May 21, 2019
    4
    [OBJECTIVE QUALITY REVIEW]
    This reiteration of Mario into 2d isn't a BAD one and thus isn't a BAD game, by any means, but even though it was impressive for its time especially when then compared to later entries of essentially the same name, this is still slightly disappointing and lacking somewhat in content when we actually stop and question the game itself.
    It is impressive that a    [OBJECTIVE QUALITY REVIEW]
    This reiteration of Mario into 2d isn't a BAD one and thus isn't a BAD game, by any means, but even though it was impressive for its time especially when then compared to later entries of essentially the same name, this is still slightly disappointing and lacking somewhat in content when we actually stop and question the game itself.

    It is impressive that a new Powerups were introduced into the game - especially those as the Mega and Mini Mushrooms that certainly allowed players to alter the experience in a fun and exciting way, and let's not forget the Koopa Shell Powerup that allows for Koopa Shell-style movement across the levels as well as pummeling enemies and breaking down obstacles along the way - but although there are certainly more new power ups than in later titles, there wasn't actually that many powerups to go off of, and that in itself is disappointing for some players who would've loved to have a large variety of powerups at their arsenal.

    The levels are unsatisfyingly generic even for what it was at the time; I actually found myself getting bored at times, more often than not in fact, just trying to push through the levels that don't really have that much variety in them anyway.

    The controls are also a bit shoddy and slippery even for its game theme; these controls, along with more questionable enemy hitboxes, actually goes as far as making combo stomping much more difficult, especially on an emulator where gameplay is slow, than previous Mario titles, where it was relatively easy to a degree if not easily executed.

    The soundtrack, however, is actually quite strong even for what the sub-series is now; some of the tracks are very melodic, and the graphics are also quite strong even for the limited hardware of the DS, especially with the true 2d sprites, which some are actually very colorful and beautiful, unlike the next installment NSMBW, which actually had somewhat questionable/ugly graphics.

    Overall, more, especially much more, could've been put into the design of the game as a whole, especially being New Super Mario Bros. That's not to say, however, that it needed much improvement much less was a bad game in any way at all; the game actually fulfills its bare minimum requirements for that New Super Mario Bros.-gamestyle quota, but it could've easily used more, and again, especially much more, with better, more fun and exciting level design, probably more powerups, tighter and thus and otherwise better controls, and an overall more fun experience.

    As one of two last notes, although the wireless multiplayer would be fun in theory and still actually can be, this is weighed down by the mediocre level design, and along with all its other problems, would actually make the multiplayer little to not satisfying, and your partner would likely quit after only a short time if they were in the same position as me, due to boredom or something else.

    Personally, the game was only slightly satisfying for me, and would get a lower to mid mixed rating at best. I've experienced some of if not all the same problems with gameplay fun as the objective review exhibits, and although this personally would get a decent rating, this is only a mediocre title that, while quite well executed, had fully plenty of room for improvement and could've used a lot more in the long run, especially with the later titles getting even fewer over time. What a crying shame for what was genuinely once quite a fun, diverse franchise.    … Expand
  2. JasonH
    Dec 18, 2008
    4
    So I'm giving it this rating based both on my enjoyment level, and the huge letdown this game turned out for me. I was expecting a game along the lines of super mario world, with tons of secrets, powerups, yoshis, strange and odd worlds, and just a ton of fun. Instead, we got a game with 3D graphics (I thought it was worse, since a lot of the artistic magic seemed to dissapear (and So I'm giving it this rating based both on my enjoyment level, and the huge letdown this game turned out for me. I was expecting a game along the lines of super mario world, with tons of secrets, powerups, yoshis, strange and odd worlds, and just a ton of fun. Instead, we got a game with 3D graphics (I thought it was worse, since a lot of the artistic magic seemed to dissapear (and little mario kind of looks like a bunch of polygons)), NO yoshis, power ups that weren't very diverse (in that 3 alter size, and the rest are mostly for increasing offenseive abilities. However, I think the WORST part of this game, was the lack of intersting worlds (you have forest, you have desert, you have ice, and I really can't remember the others, since they must have been a bore) and the very linear progression mario makes through the map (the only deviations are short, and usually lead back to the same path). Finnally, this game really has no replay value. The only thing you have to look forward to, are playing a couple of levels you most likely missed, and collecting three coins per stage, which is just tedious and irritating. So yeah, it's a boring, it's short, it doesn't take advantage of the DS capabilities (you can click on a power up... whoopdedo...) but isn't anywhere near as fun, or as deep as the original. Like a said, a huge letdown.… Expand
  3. eton_gameer
    Aug 5, 2023
    0
    best 2d mario game around‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best DS Game of 2006
1
#1 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006
1
#1 Most Shared DS Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 65 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 65
  3. Negative: 0 out of 65
  1. IGN
    95
    Before New Super Mario Bros. entered my life, "Yoshi's Island" was, to me, the greatest platformer ever created. That title may now have to go to New Super Mario Bros.
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  2. GamerFeed
    90
    The kind of game that makes hardcore Nintendo fans get on their knees and weep in sheer joy over the eighty new levels of new 2D Mario action...The visuals come in scorching hot, with gorgeous 3D bringing the old school into a new school setting. Sprinkle in some minigames and multiplayer modes, and you have a system seller.
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  3. GameBrink
    91
    While it lasts, it’s some of the best platforming to date and features what I consider to be the best Nintendo DS graphics to date. While it’s a shame the new power-ups are frills and the length of the main game is ridiculously short, it’s hard not to recommend it.
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