Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Solid gameplay combined with the fun of Mario's acrobatics, the crazy antics of our favourite giant ape and a rousing score to boot makes Mario Vs. Donkey Kong just one more reason to remind us why Nintendo have always been champions in the field of electronic entertainment.

One of the best-looking GBA games to come along in some time, and definitely a great addition to the legacy of both Mario and Donkey Kong.

The difficulty curve is perfect, and the game is constantly introducing new concepts to keep things fresh. [July 2004, p.119]

It is nothing but fun from beginning to end. The one thing that surprises me is how most players have ignored it, even though it is a *gasp* brand new Mario game!

But for all the genre-requisite spike avoiding, platform hopping, and ghost dodging, the stars here are the levels themselves. They are, in essence, entire puzzles to be solved by leading Mario mites into toy chests, finding keys, and backflipping onto triggers that make some walls or walkways materialize from the ether, and others magically disappear. Me likes.

The one area where MvsDK lacks slightly is overall challange for hardcore players. It won't take much effort to get through each level - maybe, two or three tries at the most.

The main problem we have with it is that, despite having a variety of levels and level-styles, the basic format of each world can start to feel a touch repetitive by the time you reach the third or fourth world. [NGC]

If you’re thin on patience or hate puzzle games, Mario vs. Donkey Kong will likely just frustrate you, and you’re better off looking elsewhere. However, if you’re looking for something to stretch both your brain and your reflexes, give Mario vs. Donkey Kong a try.

Even though the game isn't unique, the entire experience is because every one of the challenges are new to the GBA production. And though we miss the old-school presentation, it's still great to play the fantastic game design in a fresh perspective.

One of the best platformers to come out of Nintendo in a long time, but it may leave the Donkey Kong '94 players with a feeling of "been there, done that".

It's incredibly accessible to young and less-experienced gamers with the automatic save options and easy explanations of new moves, but it also presents mind-tickling puzzles for older players that will involve much thinking and planning in order to successfully complete the level.

The ability to freeze time while scanning the level layout is an excellent feature, allowing the player to plan ahead and appreciate the strategic side of these spatial conundrums. However, the correct path through each level is a little more obvious and straightforward than in the GameBoy original, so planning your progress now takes more of a back seat to time-pressed platform expertise.

Nintendo comes through with a stunning combination of genres to deliver an Action/Puzzle game that has just enough extras and attention to detail to make it worth the slightly higher launch price of $34.99.

This is a game that is especially good for traveling since the levels are somewhat small and can be beaten in a few minutes instead of hours.

A fresh take on an old premise that's impossible to put down, filled with old friends (Shy Guys, Boos, Ram-Rams, Monchees...), crisp, vivid graphics and sound, and osme yummy cinemas. [July 2004, p.71]

I’m torn here because Donkey Kong ’94 is one of my favorite games of all time, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong just isn’t as good.

While the gameplay skews a little heavily towards the puzzle side, it’s worthwhile for anyone who is fan of a good game.

A portable platform puzzler that while simple in nature, is sure to please fans of both Nintendo characters.

Oh-so-close to being the perfect handheld game. Its rich, entertaining gameplay can be enjoyed in nuggets, and simply put, it’s beautifully designed.

It's not necessarily innovative, but it is fun and particularly suited to people who have only short burst of time to play on the GBA.

It won't come as anything new or inspiring to anybody who's tackled a DK title before, but it engages the brain in ways that we enjoy being probed, and for all its age the formula is still as sound as ever.

The feeling of accomplishment that that emerges from the wake of a particularly tough challenge makes all the hair-tearing worthwhile. [Aug 2004, p.104]

Both on its own and as a tribute to Mario's legacy, Mario vs. Donkey Kong does a great job.

May not have as much universal appeal as a typical Mario platformer, but the puzzle-heavy gameplay is engaging and addictive in its own way. There are a ton of levels, and the level design is interesting enough to maintain your interest for a long while.

Less mindless than a typical Mario game, but still full of action. May be too challenging for young players. [Summer 2004, p.29]

It's not a particularly original adventure, but MvsDK is a classy reminder of where these games all started. And as it happens, it's pretty fun, too.

An absolute triumph of level design and wit.

Some of the puzzles in the later worlds are quite mind boggling, and you might even find yourself giving up, but nonetheless Mario VS Donkey Kong is a great game to be enjoyed by everybody.

Those looking for a Nintendo-themed puzzle game with plenty of length, but not always the greatest amount of depth will enjoy collecting Mini Marios until the goombas come home.

Embodies what a handheld game should be. It has short levels, and the learning curve is very low. You'll find yourself whipping through the game in a short amount of time, but the replay value is there with over 90 levels to try and get that gold star on.

Aside from its engaging nostalgic gameplay, Mario vs. Donkey Kong gets a lot of its replay value from its scoring system.

8 / 7 / 7 / 8 - 30 silver [Vol 809; 18 June 2004]

I guess that this game doesn't bowl me over just because I felt like I was always going to finish a level in two (at the most three) attempts. Doing the math, that means a few hours of gameplay for most players. [June 2004, p.137]

If you pick-up Mario vs. Donkey Kong expecting a classic Mario title, you’ll be sorely disappointed, not to mention frustrated. However, if you like puzzle games like "The Lost Vikings," MvDK should be right up your alley.

A quirky and sometimes frustrating puzzle action title that fails to do its two famous mascots justice.

Unfortunately, as it was in the past and still is apparent now, the game is very repetitive, but for those looking for a solid platform-puzzle game for the GBA, that may not be a problem.

A seasoned gamer might find Vs. easy at first, but mastering each stage in an attempt at beating the high score proves much more challenging - and ultimately rewarding. [July 2004, p.108]

Visually, this is a good example of what the GBA can do, with clean lines and solid character animation. There's a bit of slowdown on crowded screens, but the controls are tight and generally the game moves smoothly.

Despite a rather startling difficulty increase in worlds 5 and 6, the initial six worlds can be cleared in just a few days of regular playing. Thankfully, the game isn't nearly as brief as it initially seems.

Mario Vs Donkey Kong may not be easy on the eye, but it's delightful to behold the system of checks and balances, rules and relationships at work here, some of the rooted in deep Mario lore. [Aug 2004, p.103]

Because may stages aren't too difficult to pass, the game might seem easy at first, but it's really a system that favors rewarding good players rather than punishing poor ones. [July 2004, p.89]