I'd like to know whether there are any modes apart from the main game, such as mini-games...
There are three modes. The main game itself (which can be played on either single-player or multiplayer modes), Free For All Mode and Coin Battle mode.
If playing with only two players, can you play as Toad?
Player two can play as Toad but Player one will always be Mario. Any other players who join can choose from Luigi or one of the two Toads.
Is there any playable characters other than Mario, Luigi and the two Toads? I was kind of hoping for a wide variety.
No.
Are the power-ups awesome and are there more than those we already know about?
They are indeed awesome (especially the Penguin and Propeller suits), but there aren't any more than the ones we already know about. The Penguin suit's awesome because you can throw ice, you can slide on your belly and, if you fall into water while wearing it, you can control the direction you swim in with the D-Pad just like the Frog Suit in Super Mario Bros 3.
There seems to be a lot of hubbub about the game being multiplayer for four people, but is it worth buying it to play on my own?
Absolutely. The first thing I did before playing it in multiplayer was play through the whole game on my own, and it was extremely challenging. Although the levels are the same regardless of how many you play with, it really does feel like two different games when playing in single and multiplayer.
Are there any multiplayer battle modes? If so, what is the objective of it? Is it like the DS VS. mode?
There's Free For All mode and Coin Battle mode. Free For All mode lets you choose any of the levels you've already completed in the main game and you can play with 2-4 players. The player with the highest score at the end is the winner. Coin Battle mode is similar, except you're competing to collect the most coins. Star Coins count as 10. There are a few levels unique to Coin Battle, one of which is reminiscent of the original Mario Bros. and World 1-2 in Super Mario Bros.
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Did you find the game difficult? If so, did you end up using the Super Guide and how often did you use it?
I never had to use the Super Guide, but bear in mind that I've been playing Mario games since I was three and have played the original Super Mario Bros. at least once a week for the past 23 years. I can blitz through Super Mario World with no problems nowadays, yet I still found this very tough at times, so that should give you an indication.
Does it have any form of Wi-Fi?
No.
What are the themes of each world?
I can't spoil too many, but World 1 is the normal grassy overworld, World 2 is a desert world, World 3 is a snow world. You will have seen a forest level too in recent screens but I don't want to reveal too many details or I'll lose my job. And it's a nice job!
Would you say it's easier or harder than past Mario Bros. games?
I'd say it's easier than the end of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Lost Levels, and much harder than Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario. Bros. on DS. I'd put it on a par with Super Mario World.
Also how long do think it will take before you would start to get bored of it?
I can't guess because I'm not bored of it yet.
Are the visuals anything to shout about?
Absolutely. People have already commented on my review, wondering why I said it "looks and sounds fantastic". You really have to see this game in action (and I'm not just talking internet videos) before you can appreciate all the tiny details like facial expressions and flowers wafting as Mario runs by them. There are loads of really subtle things that make it clear how much work has gone into the game. When Mario stands on a platform that rotates, instead of him rotating with it he stays upright and his knees bend more as the slope gets steeper, as if he's trying to keep his footing. Little things like that look great in motion.
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How many hours will it take to finish for a person who is fairly decent at platformers?
It took me around six hours to complete, but that was blitzing through it and not collecting the Star Coins. That will easily add another seven or eight hours to the proceedings, because you'll obviously have to play through most of the levels again and some of the coins are in really awkward positions this time.
What did you think to seeing Bowser Jr and the Koopa Kids together in the same game? Did you think Bowser Jr's new mini Koopa Clown car makes him cooler? I think he looks epic in it!
I can't really talk about that much because it's near the end of the game and I don't want to give away any spoilers but seeing as you know about it, I can say that it's certainly one of the more memorable boss battles because it features a different control mechanic.
Are there 80 levels? Do the levels vary?
I counted 74 stages. The levels do vary but they're themed by world like in Super Mario Bros. 3.
Can you continue to ride Yoshi after you've completed a level?
Frustratingly, no you can't. When you finish a level with Yoshi, Mario jumps off and Yoshi waves at him as he runs away. This means you can only play as Yoshi on the handful of Yoshi levels in the game, which is a shame.
What's the soundtrack like?
I love it. It's a mixture of remixed New Super Mario Bros DS tracks, some old-school SMB and SMB3 tracks and some new stuff. The new track for the first underwater stage is one of the best tracks I've heard in a modern Mario game. It's right up there with some of the Galaxy stuff. Loved it.
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Does riding on Yoshi add the cool drums in the background like in Super Mario World?
Yes!
Will multiplayer feature computer-controller characters?
Nope. Humans only I'm afraid.
My personal favourite part of the DS version was the mushroom platform levels. Do they return?
I'm not sure which you mean. If you mean the ones where the platforms are flat and they're on tall mushroom-shaped bases, then yes.
I would really like to see the original Super Mario Bros. tunes return to this game, as I love them and would love to hum along to the tunes like I used to! Please tell me there are because that was one of the biggest let-downs (for me) of the DS version.
There's some old stuff in there. The main Super Mario Bros. theme plays in the Mushroom Houses dotted throughout the maps, and there are a few Super Mario Bros. 3 themes in there too.
Is there any sort of storyline at all?
Yup, but it's fairly basic as is usually the case in Mario games. It's Peach's birthday, and everyone's having a party at Peach's Castle. Suddenly a huge cake turns up and Bowser Jr and the Koopa Kids burst out and kidnap her, chucking her into an airship. So Mario and his mates give chase.
Do any of the first items like the Mega Mushroom and stuff return? I hope so!
The Mega Mushroom isn't in it, but the Mini Mushroom's back. It only gets used in one or two stages though.
What is your favourite power up?
I like the propeller suit, because being able to just do huge spin jumps whenever you want is awesome!
GamesMaster said that multiplayer can be annoying when you wreck each other's attempts. Is this true?
It's all down to personal taste really. It certainly does feel like a different game in multiplayer because you all have to work together to get through the level. A simple jump along platforms would take seconds in single player but it's surprising how much you have to work together to manage it with four players. It sounds frustrating but it's actually a fun challenge and feels really rewarding when you manage it.
Does the "shake the Remote for a spin jump" thing work well?
It does actually. It's fairly sensitive so you don't need to shake it really hard to trigger it.
Are the bosses more challenging?
The initial ones are fairly simple but there are some real nightmares near the end of the game.
Does it have that map screen to choose what level you want to play?
Yup. A few of them are more interesting than those in New Super Mario Bros. DS too. Whereas they were mostly flat maps, the ones in New Super Mario Bros. Wii go left, right, up, down... some have you climbing mountains for example. It's almost a mix of Super Mario Bros. 3 (a different map for each world) and Super Mario World (maps that see you climbing, swimming etc).
Is the game longer than the DS version?
Slightly, yes. It's much harder though, so it will take you longer to play through.
Are either Petey Piranha or Dry Bowser bosses in the game?
No and no.
Does it ever feel like you're being duped into buying a slightly shinier DS game, or does it manage to pull off Four Swords' trick of creating an entirely new gaming experience?
There's no trick here. While the engine may be similar to that of the DS game, there's no doubt this is a completely new game. It's the equivalent of The Lost Levels to the original Super Mario Bros., albeit with much better graphics.
PART TWO CAN BE FOUND HERE: http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=12639
