I have a distinct embarrassing memory with the OG version for this game (Yes I wasted 60$ on that as well.) I went to gamestop with my dad as a little kid really wanting this game for some reason and being so excited to get it. When I come back home... it was broken. The disc couldn't work and I literally cried over it. I gotta be the first person in history to cry over New Super Mario Bros.
As for the actual game. It's definitely a Mario game. That's the best way to describe this. It's art direction is bland but I will admit, there were more types of enemies than I thought there would be. Luigi U definitely carried my enjoyment for this though since the levels are short and sweet and actually get tough.
The general gameplay of the game is simple and pretty much the same as the first game that I actually played. Honestly though at least with the vanilla game, I preferred the levels from the DS game for some reason. I don't know if I really did feel the slog of having to play basically the exact same but with different power ups, but I don't know I feel like these levels were longer than they needed to be? Again, I don't exactly get it myself, maybe I'm crazy.
One last thing about this game that's cool to me at least is the side content. You've got challenges and this thing called boost rush which I remember vaguely playing back then. The challenges are not only a neat single player addition, but they also may make you go insane. Basically they're actually tough to get gold on, which is pretty nice especially for a side mode.
It's sad to think that this game was a launch title cause I don't think it showcased the Wii U's features well. Not only that but it really is just 2D Mario. It's great to know that this gameplay format has had way more soul put into it with Wonder and hopefully it stays that way, cause man. I mean I really don't feel like I was able to say much about this game which shows. But hey if you're itching for 2D Mario, there's enough content here to maybe make a purchase worth it. I don't know it depends.
As for the actual game. It's definitely a Mario game. That's the best way to describe this. It's art direction is bland but I will admit, there were more types of enemies than I thought there would be. Luigi U definitely carried my enjoyment for this though since the levels are short and sweet and actually get tough.
The general gameplay of the game is simple and pretty much the same as the first game that I actually played. Honestly though at least with the vanilla game, I preferred the levels from the DS game for some reason. I don't know if I really did feel the slog of having to play basically the exact same but with different power ups, but I don't know I feel like these levels were longer than they needed to be? Again, I don't exactly get it myself, maybe I'm crazy.
One last thing about this game that's cool to me at least is the side content. You've got challenges and this thing called boost rush which I remember vaguely playing back then. The challenges are not only a neat single player addition, but they also may make you go insane. Basically they're actually tough to get gold on, which is pretty nice especially for a side mode.
It's sad to think that this game was a launch title cause I don't think it showcased the Wii U's features well. Not only that but it really is just 2D Mario. It's great to know that this gameplay format has had way more soul put into it with Wonder and hopefully it stays that way, cause man. I mean I really don't feel like I was able to say much about this game which shows. But hey if you're itching for 2D Mario, there's enough content here to maybe make a purchase worth it. I don't know it depends.