Summary

With its engaging gameplay, modern graphics, and respectful nod to the past, New Super Mario Bros. (2006) redefined the Mario platforming experience for a new generation of players, while preserving the charm that made the series legendary.

• Release Year: 2006
• Genres: Adventure, Platform
• Platforms: Nintendo DS, Wii U
• Developers: Nintendo, Nintendo EAD
• Publishers: iQue

Introduction

New Super Mario Bros. brought the beloved Mario franchise back to its side-scrolling roots with a 2.5D adventure that captivated fans old and new. Released in 2006 for the Nintendo DS, it combined classic gameplay elements with modern graphical enhancements and the DS’s unique features.

Synopsis

“New Super Mario Bros.” is a 2006 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was first released in May 2006 in North America and Japan, and in PAL regions in June 2006. It is the first installment in the “New Super Mario Bros.” subseries of the Super Mario franchise.

The game begins with a relaxing walk where Princess Peach gets kidnapped by Bowser Jr. Mario must then travel across eight different themed worlds to save her. Each world is filled with more than 80 levels, where Mario must defeat Bowser Jr. and Bowser before saving Princess Peach.

Mario has access to several old and new power-ups that help him complete his quest, including the Super Mushroom, the Fire Flower, and the Super Star, each giving him unique abilities. The game also introduced moves from Super Mario 64 to 2D Super Mario games for the first time, including the ground pound, triple jump, and wall jump.

Enemies from previous games, such as Boos, are also reintroduced, while various other new enemies are introduced. Between eight and twelve levels are available in each of the eight worlds in “New Super Mario Bros.”.

The game is seen in 2D, but most of the characters and objects are 3D polygonal renderings on 2D backgrounds, resulting in a 2.5D effect that visually simulates 3D computer graphics. The player can play as either Mario, or his younger brother, Luigi.

“New Super Mario Bros.” was commercially and critically successful; praise went towards the game’s improvements and introductions made to the Mario franchise and faithfulness to older Mario games, while criticism was targeted at its low difficulty level and lingering similarities to previous games. It was called one of the best games available for the Nintendo DS by several critics with some further calling it one of the best side-scrolling Super Mario titles.

It sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling game for the Nintendo DS and one of the best-selling video games of all time. The game’s success led to a line of sequels released for the Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch.

“New Super Mario Bros.” is a game that successfully blends the classic elements of the Super Mario series with new gameplay mechanics and power-ups. It offers a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both new players and fans of the franchise. Its success has cemented its place as a classic in the Super Mario series and has influenced the development of future games in the franchise.

Characters

The game stars Mario, with Luigi also playable in the solo story mode. Antagonists include Bowser and Bowser Jr., who have kidnapped Princess Peach. Various classic enemies return, such as Goombas, Koopas, and Piranha Plants.

Gameplay

New Super Mario Bros. maintains the essence of classic Mario platforming with running, jumping, and stomping on enemies, while introducing new elements like wall-jumping and ground-pounding. The DS’s touch screen is utilized to store an extra power-up and show the map overview, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Conclusion

New Super Mario Bros. (2006) skillfully bridged the gap between Mario’s classic past and its future, proving that traditional 2D platforming could still captivate the hearts of gamers worldwide. It remains a defining moment in the Mario series and a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern