2004
Replayed this with mods to properly use the 3DS circle pad. It makes it actually playable, but overall I still feel like the original is the better overall package. It's cool to have more characters, but they feel more like a hassle that the game itself had to work around than anything that really adds to the game. And I'm not sure how we ever played this with a run button or touch controls because it's rough.
Also no BLJ, can't believe this.
Also no BLJ, can't believe this.
This time I did a randomizer run, always interesting how that freshens things up. It's been awhile since my playthrough of this remake though, definitely itself could use some newer QOL stuff. Had fun though!
1990
Always a masterpiece.
2018
I'll keep playing this from time to time but, wow, this is my favourite game in the series still even on replay. After I was introduced to the series with Touched on DS, WarioWare Gold is still everything I think of when I think of WarioWare. Very fun to pick up and play. And the full voice acting, even for Wario, is a nice treat!
2024
As someone who's somewhat resistant to roguelikes, this one really surprised me. An enjoyment of card games and a rewarding gameplay loop had me really enjoying this.
1999
I played this with mods to enable quick Kong swapping (and randomized, DK64-ized music from other games). The music was a fun twist, but the Kong swap shortcut changes this game immensely. It doesn't fix all of the issues, far from it, but it makes the game a LOT more pleasant to traverse.
I had a fun time blasting through this game this way, and it was nice to revisit it without it being nearly the slog it would be otherwise. I highly recommend that mod for anyone else who wants to play this game.
I had a fun time blasting through this game this way, and it was nice to revisit it without it being nearly the slog it would be otherwise. I highly recommend that mod for anyone else who wants to play this game.
2021
This is a nice port, and I chose to beat it by using BLJ to skip to the final boss after getting 31 stars. First time doing that!
This is a much better way to play than the DS port also.
This is a much better way to play than the DS port also.
2009
For a simple little thing, there's a lot of potential entertainment value here, even if not for especially long. From making amusing sound effects to the hilarity of doing your own poses, there's a lot of nonsense to be achieved here. Beyond that, there's not much game, but what a fun little idea.
2022
neat game, good crank use
2023
While the game is overall a bit repetitive, the later quarter of the game really steps up the level design. But where this game really excels is feeling good to play, coming close to on par with probably some of the best 3D Sonic controls. Also, the final level actually rules.
I'd love to see Hardlight continue the momentum they got going with this release, ideally with less repetition to progress, and some more fully realized areas to play through. But for what this is, I'm sufficiently pleased.
I'd love to see Hardlight continue the momentum they got going with this release, ideally with less repetition to progress, and some more fully realized areas to play through. But for what this is, I'm sufficiently pleased.
2023
What a good game. I loved what I played of the original some years ago, but never finished it. I'm glad this version released so that I could finally do so, and with a fresh new look.
I loved the art style throughout the entirety of the game. A perfect adaptation of the charm of the original art style, every character is adorable and charming.
The soundtrack is probably one of the best out there, another masterpiece by
Yoko Shimomura, and the modern orchestrated versions do not miss.
All in all, a lovely way to experience the game, losing seemingly nothing of the original (save for the excellent sprite work). Excellent.
I loved the art style throughout the entirety of the game. A perfect adaptation of the charm of the original art style, every character is adorable and charming.
The soundtrack is probably one of the best out there, another masterpiece by
Yoko Shimomura, and the modern orchestrated versions do not miss.
All in all, a lovely way to experience the game, losing seemingly nothing of the original (save for the excellent sprite work). Excellent.
What a breath of fresh air for 2D Mario. After the NSMB games carried on 2 too many times, for years I'd been hoping for a refresh of the 2D Mario games. A new art style, a different feel, etc. I didn't know what they'd do but I wanted something new.
They pulled it off. Mario Wonder is chock full of new ideas, mostly stripping out a lot of established things and taking a whole new approach to everything. Even the art style, which is still not so far from the NSMB style, has the characters looking updated, a little more fun, and more expressive than the 2D games have ever had them.
I'd also like to call out the multiplayer/online features.
- The local multiplayer is very similar to NSMB, but removing collisions with other players, which goes a long way to making a smoother experience, but still it can sometimes feel a bit like one player is dragging the other(s) in one direction or the other, and the way they handle that isn't perfect. It's a tough problem to solve, but there's definitely room to improve there.
- The online multiplayer is great! With friends, it's great because you can be in the same game and play the same levels if you want, but you're still on your own save file, and so you can go do your own thing if you want instead, and meet up with your friends later.
- My favourite feature is enabling online even when I'm playing solo, so that random players can show up in your game. Because they're faded out, there's not confusing to have on screen, and the wholesome moments that come from a random player across the world jumping to help you revive, or lead you to a collectible you're looking for, are priceless. It's like the benefit that Miiverse integration offered on the Wii U, but enhanced and built in here with intention. Love it.
My 2 complaints:
- Lives system - Odyssey did away with these, and it worked perfectly. The only thing it does is offer the chance of Game Over, which just means you'd lose the stuff you collected and have to get it again. Repetition for what purpose? Which brings me to my next point...
- The final final gauntlet. The Mario games usually like to have a "final test", but for some reason it usually manifests in the form of a gauntlet of challenges (that's fine) with limited or no checkpoints (that's not fine). Any time a game has me repeating sections I've already completed, it feels like my time is being wasted. Look to Celeste for how to do that stuff right, I feel.
Overall though, this is one of the best 2D Mario games. There's so much fun to be had.
They pulled it off. Mario Wonder is chock full of new ideas, mostly stripping out a lot of established things and taking a whole new approach to everything. Even the art style, which is still not so far from the NSMB style, has the characters looking updated, a little more fun, and more expressive than the 2D games have ever had them.
I'd also like to call out the multiplayer/online features.
- The local multiplayer is very similar to NSMB, but removing collisions with other players, which goes a long way to making a smoother experience, but still it can sometimes feel a bit like one player is dragging the other(s) in one direction or the other, and the way they handle that isn't perfect. It's a tough problem to solve, but there's definitely room to improve there.
- The online multiplayer is great! With friends, it's great because you can be in the same game and play the same levels if you want, but you're still on your own save file, and so you can go do your own thing if you want instead, and meet up with your friends later.
- My favourite feature is enabling online even when I'm playing solo, so that random players can show up in your game. Because they're faded out, there's not confusing to have on screen, and the wholesome moments that come from a random player across the world jumping to help you revive, or lead you to a collectible you're looking for, are priceless. It's like the benefit that Miiverse integration offered on the Wii U, but enhanced and built in here with intention. Love it.
My 2 complaints:
- Lives system - Odyssey did away with these, and it worked perfectly. The only thing it does is offer the chance of Game Over, which just means you'd lose the stuff you collected and have to get it again. Repetition for what purpose? Which brings me to my next point...
- The final final gauntlet. The Mario games usually like to have a "final test", but for some reason it usually manifests in the form of a gauntlet of challenges (that's fine) with limited or no checkpoints (that's not fine). Any time a game has me repeating sections I've already completed, it feels like my time is being wasted. Look to Celeste for how to do that stuff right, I feel.
Overall though, this is one of the best 2D Mario games. There's so much fun to be had.
2020
It took me three tries over the years for this game to finally click, but wow did it ever. Even if the dungeon gameplay was a low point, I couldn't stop playing.
The cast makes this game what it is. Every character in the main cast is incredible, and their individual story moments all had me engaged and interested to see what came next.
The story itself surprised me multiple times throughout. The twists kept me on my toes throughout, all the while having great moments to showcase.
The game definitely shows its age in some respects, but overall I'm glad I finally got around to getting through this game and understanding the appeal. What a ride.
The cast makes this game what it is. Every character in the main cast is incredible, and their individual story moments all had me engaged and interested to see what came next.
The story itself surprised me multiple times throughout. The twists kept me on my toes throughout, all the while having great moments to showcase.
The game definitely shows its age in some respects, but overall I'm glad I finally got around to getting through this game and understanding the appeal. What a ride.
One song, never stops
Bad controls
I didn't expect anything and I was still let down
Bad controls
I didn't expect anything and I was still let down
I still think I wish there was more campaign here because the base game's campaign was so damn fun, but this game is perfect for a survival mode like this. New characters are great, new tunes are great, and it was fun to dive back in!