Ahh "New" Super Mario Bros. The series that ironically ruined its own name by running itself into the ground with very similar sequels. This definitely feels like a very vanilla Mario game in 2022. In 2006 the appeal of a brand new 2D Mario Adventure was enough, now this just kind of exists. But 2D Mario adventures are still pretty fun, even at their most basic.
The game is a pretty decent mix of old game ideas and trying out new (at the time) gimmicks. It takes quite a lot of elements from Super Mario 64 actually, mostly just in using its enemies, but also riding Dorrie or even the inclusion of a triple jump. I assume this is basically it was easier to re-use assets from Super Mario 64 DS. It's Bowser Jr's 2D game debut though, so that's cool.
As far as new power-ups go, the blue shell is the only typical one, and while it can be super fun, most levels are clearly not built for it. Also it can't be found naturally in any stages, instead it's only available in mushroom houses or random-chance item spots.
Interestingly I think this might be the only regular 2D Mario Game outside of the original that doesn't have any kind of flying power-up. It's not a hard game by any stretch, but it's pretty noteworthy that it's one of the few that can't be made easier since those power-ups tend to be overpowered.
The mini-mushroom is like an anti-power up. It does give you extra jump height and can run on water, but it's a one hit kill when you're in this mode, and the floatiness can make it harder to dodge enemies. It pretty much exists purely for getting 100% completion, and to that extent I think it's kind of brilliant to have a power-up that makes things harder for you, as it just provides that extra challenge to master the game.
The mega mushroom is basically the opposite. It's a (very) short power-up that basically destroys everything in its path - including any pipes that may have led to star coins, making it pretty bad when you wanna 100% the game but great any other time. A lot of areas in the game do make it impossible to even move when you have the item though, making its use even as a win-button very limited. Fun to use against bosses though, but that brings me to the next point.
Bosses are all verrry easy. Pretty standard for Mario admittedly. I do like that the very last boss actually straight up blocks you when you try to go past with invincibility frames from being damaged at least. And the main castle bosses outside of Bowser are buffed up regular enemies which is neat. Bowser Jr. being every single tower boss gets old though.
Basically it's just Mario. If you played this game immediately after Super Mario World you'd feel right at home, like there hadn't been a 15 year old gap. But it could also leave you a bit fatigued by itself due to not truly re-inventing itself, because it was never supposed to be played directly after that game; it was supposed to be played as a nostalgia trip to those days.
The game is a pretty decent mix of old game ideas and trying out new (at the time) gimmicks. It takes quite a lot of elements from Super Mario 64 actually, mostly just in using its enemies, but also riding Dorrie or even the inclusion of a triple jump. I assume this is basically it was easier to re-use assets from Super Mario 64 DS. It's Bowser Jr's 2D game debut though, so that's cool.
As far as new power-ups go, the blue shell is the only typical one, and while it can be super fun, most levels are clearly not built for it. Also it can't be found naturally in any stages, instead it's only available in mushroom houses or random-chance item spots.
Interestingly I think this might be the only regular 2D Mario Game outside of the original that doesn't have any kind of flying power-up. It's not a hard game by any stretch, but it's pretty noteworthy that it's one of the few that can't be made easier since those power-ups tend to be overpowered.
The mini-mushroom is like an anti-power up. It does give you extra jump height and can run on water, but it's a one hit kill when you're in this mode, and the floatiness can make it harder to dodge enemies. It pretty much exists purely for getting 100% completion, and to that extent I think it's kind of brilliant to have a power-up that makes things harder for you, as it just provides that extra challenge to master the game.
The mega mushroom is basically the opposite. It's a (very) short power-up that basically destroys everything in its path - including any pipes that may have led to star coins, making it pretty bad when you wanna 100% the game but great any other time. A lot of areas in the game do make it impossible to even move when you have the item though, making its use even as a win-button very limited. Fun to use against bosses though, but that brings me to the next point.
Bosses are all verrry easy. Pretty standard for Mario admittedly. I do like that the very last boss actually straight up blocks you when you try to go past with invincibility frames from being damaged at least. And the main castle bosses outside of Bowser are buffed up regular enemies which is neat. Bowser Jr. being every single tower boss gets old though.
Basically it's just Mario. If you played this game immediately after Super Mario World you'd feel right at home, like there hadn't been a 15 year old gap. But it could also leave you a bit fatigued by itself due to not truly re-inventing itself, because it was never supposed to be played directly after that game; it was supposed to be played as a nostalgia trip to those days.