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New Super Mario Bros Review (Ds)

December 3, 2008

Damn, does it feel good to go back to Mario’s roots. Don’t get me wrong - Super Mario 64 was an important and integral step for Nintendo’s plumber hero to take, what with the company essentially being the trailblazer in the world of 3D platforming. But in moving forward, rising expectations pretty much dictated that Nintendo shouldn’t look back, so the classic sidescrolling formula was simply relegated to “classic” status, only returning in retro repeats of existing games on current systems and, occasionally, as spin-off franchises for other Nintendo characters. An official Super Mario game would have to be something special for it to exist on a current Nintendo system, which is why the release of New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS is so significant: it absolutely is something special. This game marks a brilliant return to Mario’s side-scrolling environments, with a look, feel, and play that feels unbelievably classic, with new elements that do a fantastic job advancing the design.

The timeline’s a little scattered, but while Super Mario Sunshine was the latest game in the Super Mario series on paper, New Super Mario Bros. marks the first time in 15 years that Nintendo’s created a classically-designed Super Mario game - Super Mario World ended the plumber’s starring role in the 2D platformer series. Yoshi may have picked up the gauntlet in a labeled sequel a couple years later, but outside of a few nods here and there in spinoffs like Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi, Mario hasn’t starred in this Plumber Saves the Princess role in a side-scrolling platformer since the Super NES launch title.

With this new game, the more things change, the more they stay the same: the basis for New Super Mario Bros. is, surprise, to save the princess. In this design, Bowser Jr. has snagged Peach right out from Mario’s nose, and taken her to the closest fortress possible. This game won’t win any awards in storytelling because there is none - Mario will simply have to bounce from level to level getting to each challenge’s castle while collecting coins and stomping Koopas, Goombas, and any other oddly-named inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom. Anyone who’s played the original Super Mario Bros. - and at this point, if you haven’t, stop reading and find the nearest NES for a refresher course - will recognize the early nods to the original game design, from hopping on the flagpole to finish a round to Bowser protecting the end of the first castle.

So New Super Mario Bros. is a game that’s been a long time coming. It’s clear that a Super Mario game is a really big deal for Nintendo, and a game bearing the Super Mario namesake needs to be significant. It took the company more than a decade to advance the Mario mechanics in the side-scrolling design, but how much further can the company go without straying from the existing run/jump/bounce formula and becoming something not-so-Mario?

Duration : 0:4:53

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Donkey Kong 64 - Creepy Castle Museum

December 1, 2008

Chunky and Tiny explore the museum in the Creepy Castle level of Donkey Kong 64 for Nintendo 64 (N64). Only Chunky can use the front door, so Tiny has to use the secret entrance by teleporting from the ballroom.

Duration : 0:7:10

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Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64)

November 23, 2008

Player: GeneralGrim909

Mario’s first adventure into 3D space!!

There is no real need for an introduction, everyone knows and has played this game at one point in time. Great classic, great fun, great 3D platformer. :)

Duration : 0:3:45

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Mario 64: Final Boss & Staff Roll

November 21, 2008

With Super Mario Galaxy launching tomorrow, let us remember Mario’s first 3D platformer.

Duration : 0:7:3

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The Legend of Spyro - Dawn Of The Dragon

November 19, 2008

Release Date: October 21, 2008
Platforms: PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, Playstation 2
Developer: Estranges Libellule
Genre: 3D Platformer

The new installment in the “Legend of Spyro” series.
Personally, I liked the classic ones better.

Duration : 0:1:40

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3D User Interface on OMAP™ 3 Platform

November 17, 2008

The way people interface with their phones is changing fast. OMAP3 processors have the performance and power to create user interfaces consumers have never experienced.

Duration : 0:2:51

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Ritter Rudiger

November 15, 2008

Ritter Rudiger is a stylish, medievil adventure game based on the popular German children’s hero of the same name. It features real-time 3D graphics, expansive worlds and colorful characters bursting with personality. Allied Studios designed and created the graphics for this fantastic 3D Platformer.

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Pac-Man World (PSX) - Pirate Levels

November 13, 2008

Ruins Levels - youtube.com/watch?v=aFfwH2PvCLo
Space Levels - youtube.com/watch?v=1-J43uIsM8g
Funhouse Levels - youtube.com/watch?v=Q2QbJn1_7IA
Factory Levels - youtube.com/watch?v=wzmch-mz5Zw
Mansion Levels + Ending - youtube.com/watch?v=J66OCnvTww8

This is a playthrough of Pac-Man World, a 3D platformer that stars our favorite ghost-eating glutton. This game is overlooked and really fun to play in my opinion. It features a non-linear stage select (similar to Frogger if you’ve seen my videos of that game), fun bosses (for the most part), and cool stages.

Note that I’m planning to get the Pac-Man letters for each level, but not all of the Pac-Dots or mazes so it won’t be monotonous. I also killed myself intentionally on the second bonus stage since it’s exactly the same as the first.

Duration : 0:22:44

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Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Review

November 11, 2008

When Naughty Dog announced that it had officially moved on from the Crash Bandicoot series, many gamers wondered what the developer would do next. After a relatively short amount of time, Jak and Daxter is the result. This visually impressive platformer marks the first free-roaming 3D undertaking for the developer, and gamers are sure to be impressed when they get their hands on it. GameSpot’s features editor talks about what you can look forward to in this extensive video review.

“Next to Rayman 2, Jak and Daxter is the best 3D platformer available for the PlayStation 2.”

Duration : 0:9:15

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Goose Chase - Video Game Graphics by Allied Studios

November 9, 2008

Goose Chase is a whimsical puzzle platform game featuring lovable characters and real-time 3D environments. Allied Studios designed and created all of the graphics for this Colorful 3D Platformer.

More art from this game: Read more

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