This game holds the title as one of the earliest games I can remember receiving new (and not a Christmas gift). I remember a relative coming over randomly one day and gifting me and my brother a translucent, original model GBA and a copy of this game. i dont really remember why this happened, it just did. I think later that year I got my own black GBA SP and a copy of Grunty’s Revenge, but the day and moment of me receiving this game really sticks out in my head for some reason. I had systems before like Gameboy Color and a Game Cube and stuff. But as for the game, I remember sharing it with my brother quite a bit and enjoying it alot. I don't ever really remember making it passed the 5th world as a child. I would later go on to playing a good amount of March of the Mini’s on DS. I liked the level editor in that game, but always remember liking the mechanics of this game much more. Later on I would understand and play Donkey 94, the true predecessor of Mario Vs Donkey Kong. Playing this now, I kinda dislike the game. I much prefer Donkey Kong 94. Its a puzzle platformer, whos platforminf mechanics are in this weird limbo of being impressive for what it is, but also I felt regularly infuriated by control issues that I felt weren't my fault. It’s so much more forgivable in 94, because its an original Gameboy game that more than excedes its expectations. And Mario even feels more snappy in that game. Another bone I have to pick with this game is its Puzzles annoy me. They never feel clever enough that I feel good once completing a level. I just mostly feel frustrated stumbling my way through a level. I like the audio design, graphics and general ascetic alot. I love the Mario voice clips in this game, they are very nostalgic to me. But yeah, I didnt really have as much fun with this game as I remember having when I was younger. I didn’t really want to do the bonus levels by the time I was done. Maybe another day, but not now.

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2024


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