Yikes. Ok well before I get into it i'll just stay that the game is fine, It plays roughly the same as the original and anyone who hasn't played the original (go do it) will have an easier time getting into this one. But man... talk about a downgrade.
Let me explain why, this remake removed one of the core components that made the original so replayable in the first place, and that was the high score system. So in the original Mario Vs DK, levels required you to collect all 3 presents and reach the end. Once you beat it they show you a level high-score, and if you reached it, you're rewarded with a golden star signifying you mastered the level. You'd think just getting all 3 presents and reaching the end would be easy enough to get it right? No. There's also a time limit in each level, and based on how fast you do everything it can change everything. If you die even one time during the whole thing you're better off resetting because whenever you finish the first section of a level the timer gets added towards the next sections timer. I think another thing is that fall damage is completely removed in the remake, so you're able to get away with things not possible in the original.
The remake does decide to keep the timer but decides to remove the scoring system and now the requirement for the gold star is just collecting all 3 presents and beating the level. Death means virtually nothing in this game since resetting a level doesn't cost you a life like it did in the original. Things have been made way too safe and forgiving, and because of this one major change, levels are now extremely easy to go through meaning experimentation is barely encouraged. Many of the iconic voice-lines and scenes have been hit with the Nintendo sanitization ray, losing the charm it once had.
It's clear as day this remakes focus is on the accessibility for newer players rather than the fun challenge the original provided. Granted the GBA one wasn't the most difficult game ever but it definitely challenged you if you did go for the gold stars and required you to think outside the box. Which is something I can't really say with this shiny new remake, I'm a bit disappointed with it but it is what it is, the original will always be there at least.
Let me explain why, this remake removed one of the core components that made the original so replayable in the first place, and that was the high score system. So in the original Mario Vs DK, levels required you to collect all 3 presents and reach the end. Once you beat it they show you a level high-score, and if you reached it, you're rewarded with a golden star signifying you mastered the level. You'd think just getting all 3 presents and reaching the end would be easy enough to get it right? No. There's also a time limit in each level, and based on how fast you do everything it can change everything. If you die even one time during the whole thing you're better off resetting because whenever you finish the first section of a level the timer gets added towards the next sections timer. I think another thing is that fall damage is completely removed in the remake, so you're able to get away with things not possible in the original.
The remake does decide to keep the timer but decides to remove the scoring system and now the requirement for the gold star is just collecting all 3 presents and beating the level. Death means virtually nothing in this game since resetting a level doesn't cost you a life like it did in the original. Things have been made way too safe and forgiving, and because of this one major change, levels are now extremely easy to go through meaning experimentation is barely encouraged. Many of the iconic voice-lines and scenes have been hit with the Nintendo sanitization ray, losing the charm it once had.
It's clear as day this remakes focus is on the accessibility for newer players rather than the fun challenge the original provided. Granted the GBA one wasn't the most difficult game ever but it definitely challenged you if you did go for the gold stars and required you to think outside the box. Which is something I can't really say with this shiny new remake, I'm a bit disappointed with it but it is what it is, the original will always be there at least.