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[anon_mastermind]

I find that the coin gimmick is entirely validated by Coin Rush mode. I've never played a Mario game in this way before. I just can't wait to get some streetpasses! However, the 100% focus on streetpass while completely ignoring the friend leaderbords possibility makes me wish that this game weren't so rushed (Mario Kart 7 is the same way). This and NSMB2 is lacking the download-play option (even if it were limited to NSMB-style multiplayer) that would have made this the perfect game.

 

[nmanma]

Downloaded the game yesterday, currently passed the mid castle on world 4

I'm loving this so far, the level design is great. The first water level was surprisingly fun, the mid castles on worlds 3 and 4 were really good and the final castle on level 3 did great use of the element it introduced (don't know if spoiler tags are necessary, but just to be safe

Spoiler

circular saws

). Also, the level with the raft

Spoiler

that only advanced when you stepped on it

was awesome

Before buying this I thought the green blocks and rotating platforms had a lot of potential for making great levels, I'm glad to see they're being put to good use.

Played a bit of gold rush, was nice but I'm awful under pressure, I'll need more time with that

On another note, I started playing with the d-pad but after like half an hour my hand was killing me, so I switched to the circle pad. I hope it can take it, I'm afraid that it will get loose like countless other analog sticks

 

[Javier]

I wonder if Miyamoto just puts names in a hat and draws them one by one to choose the Koopaling order in each game.

 

[qizah]

Holy crap.

The more I play this the more awesome it is. Finding all three coins and the secret exits is pretty fun - I also noticed a lot of the levels have more secret areas - even though some are just for more coins, it's pretty awesome.

 

[StickSoldier]

only in world 2, but the game is pretty fun. I really like the focus of getting coins, even though it doesn't seem like doing so rewards you.

 

[Yuterald]

I have a question/concern regarding the Coin Rush mode. Since the mode picks 3 random stages from a set of worlds, doesn't that mean all the stages in the game would have to have similar volumes/amounts of coins available? I would imagine they would have to be almost identical. If there was an uneven amount of coins distributed amongst some stages (say one stage had 500 more coins available than another) then someone could get lucky with the stage shuffle and potentially earn a higher amount of coins. That would be kinda bad, right? To me it would almost make competing against people feel kind of worthless due to its randomness. I guess it's tough to tell if it's designed like this since the game just came out, but I thought I'd throw the idea out there. Am I looking too into this, maybe?

 

[Cade]

All these impressions, good and bad, are getting me quite hyped up. My copy should be in within a few days, what's the best way to play this to not drag it out too much, but to have a lot of time playing through it?

 

[Emitan]

Really bored of this already. I'm sitting in front of Bowser's castle with no will to go inside...

 

[EvilMario]

I clocked 10:30 to finish the entire game and

Spoiler

the star world

. Still have 5 star coins left to get, but other than that, done everything. I don't think I'll go for the million coins or the 1000 lives, although I guess I'll try Coin Rush a little bit.

I might reach a million coins around the end of the year if Coin Rush keeps me interested. I'm lucky enough to receive a handful of streetpasses every day, which will mean more people to challenge. I hope the DLC ends up being quality.

 

[Yuripaw]

Really bored of this already. I'm sitting in front of Bowser's castle with no will to go inside...

=/ this really brought me down to read this. I still don't have this game, and i dont know when i could afford it, but i was looking forward to playing because I usually enjoy a fun 2D mario game. I really liked the Wii version of NSMB.

Maybe we all just need to slow down when we play these games? Maybe when we rush through em, it's easier to get burned out. Play a few levels in between something else maybe.

 

[RagnarokX]

Woohoo! I just spent a ton of lives trying to do W-Flower-Cannon as normal small Mario and I just did it and got all the red coins! Now I have a gold flower stored that I can use wherever I want!

 

[brinstar]

maybe I'm just easy to please, but I'm loving this. Haven't really been able to put it down since I got it. My only complaint is it feels a bit short. I hope the DLC ends up being substantial.

 

[Teknoman]

All these impressions, good and bad, are getting me quite hyped up. My copy should be in within a few days, what's the best way to play this to not drag it out too much, but to have a lot of time playing through it?

Its pretty fun, and some of the new additions are pretty welcome/well done. You might feel like some of the first few levels seem sorta...samey compared to past NSMB titles, but the majority of the game feels pretty well made.

Really bored of this already. I'm sitting in front of Bowser's castle with no will to go inside...

Say it ain't so

 

[RagnarokX]

Its pretty fun, and some of the new additions are pretty welcome/well done. You might feel like some of the first few levels seem sorta...samey compared to past NSMB titles, but the majority of the game feels pretty well made.



Say it ain't so

I'd say this game isn't quite as good as SMB3 and NSMBW... it's close. I mean it's really good and fun, unlike NSMB DS. The Koopaling battles, while still easy, are better this time.

 

[Teknoman]

I'd say this game isn't quite as good as SMB3 and NSMBW... it's close. I mean it's really good and fun, unlike NSMB DS. The Koopaling battles, while still easy, are better this time.

I just miss Yoshi...and I think I used "pretty" too much lol.


Would have been nice to see Mouser, Shy Guy, or Snifits return.

 

[Cade]

So since nearly everyone agrees this is better than NSMBDS, and I actually really enjoyed NSMBDS, I should be in seventh heaven playing this?

 

[Baconsammy]

It just feels too rushed for me to recommend to anyone. Why can't I compare scores online? Why do both people need a cart to play together? If we both do have our own cart, why the hell are we restricted to being on the same area of the level? Why are there no mini-games like the DS game had? It's all just so rushed and bland. I rip other games for being lazy, so Nintendo gets no pass from me. Compared to Super Mario Land 3D, this game is just sub-standard. Honestly Mario Kart feels rushed as well. Hopefully now that they seemingly have the upperhand over Sony, they can take the time needed to make their games more complete before releasing them. I will say that it looks great on the XL, though. Just not in 3D, which is fine by me since I'm having a hell of a time trying to maintain the sweetspot on the larger screen.

 

[watershed]

It just feels too rushed for me to recommend to anyone. Why can't I compare scores online? Why do both people need a cart to play together? If we both do have our own cart, why the hell are we restricted to being on the same area of the level? Why are there no mini-games like the DS game had? It's all just so rushed and bland. I rip other games for being lazy, so Nintendo gets no pass from me. Compared to Super Mario Land 3D, this game is just sub-standard. Honestly Mario Kart feels rushed as well. Hopefully now that they seemingly have the upperhand over Sony, they can take the time needed to make their games more complete before releasing them. I will say that it looks great on the XL, though. Just not in 3D, which is fine by me since I'm having a hell of a time trying to maintain the sweetspot on the larger screen.

I agree with all of your comments except this one. Its obvious why this game lacks download play. In co-op you can play the entire game with a friend. If there was download play the other player wouldn't have to buy the game yet they'd still be able to experience almost all of it. That's a lot of lost sales for Nintendo. I don't see this as rushed or greedy on Nintendo's part, its just good business sense. But yeah, the game is definitely lacking.

 

[BooJoh]

All these impressions, good and bad, are getting me quite hyped up. My copy should be in within a few days, what's the best way to play this to not drag it out too much, but to have a lot of time playing through it?

I've just been taking it in at a casual pace. I'm having a lot of fun and playing almost nonstop, but I'm not blazing through the levels either. If I finish a level and I saw a star coin or possible secret exit that I missed I'll go back and replay the level trying to get them. I'm trying to unlock as many levels as I can as I go, but I haven't 100% cleared any of the worlds yet, but I'm pretty close on worlds 1 and 2 I think.

I'm currently midway through world 4 and I've done a bit of one of the secret worlds. I have almost 17,000 coins and around 200-250 lives. My Activity Log shows 5 hours and 24 minutes, so I expect to clock in probably around 8-10 hours by the time I see the credits roll, and that doesn't account for going back to 100% worlds or any time I might spend on coin rush or if I try to go for the million coins.

I'm having a lot of fun with it.

 

[Teknoman]

So since nearly everyone agrees this is better than NSMBDS, and I actually really enjoyed NSMBDS, I should be in seventh heaven playing this?

If you enjoyed NSMBDS that much, then yes. The only NSMB games I truly enjoyed were NSMB Wii and this so far, and i'm happy with the purchase.

EDIT: I wouldnt say Mario Kart 7 felt rushed...honestly its one of the most fun out of the entire series...aside from double dash co-op racing.

I'd just fault NSMB 2 for not having more enemy variety, and not going with some more varied world themes...but at least each world map has a theme and isnt just a random combo of background stuff like 3D land. Really picky about stuff like that

 

[Yuripaw]

If you enjoyed NSMBDS that much, then yes. The only NSMB games I truly enjoyed were NSMB Wii and this so far, and i'm happy with the purchase.

Well at least you're enjoying it so far. I'm glad to see some folks are. What with some of the comments on here, and giantbomb's quick look, I was getting worried.

EDIT: I wouldnt say Mario Kart 7 felt rushed...honestly its one of the most fun out of the entire series...aside from double dash co-op racing.

Hell yeah! Mario Kart 7 was easily one of the best in the series I think, and this is coming from someone who did not like Mario Kart Wii much at all. It had really good courses, but also bringing the racer count back down to 8 was the smart thing to do. Things just got way too chaotic with 12 in MK Wii.

 

[RagnarokX]

If you enjoyed NSMBDS that much, then yes. The only NSMB games I truly enjoyed were NSMB Wii and this so far, and i'm happy with the purchase.

EDIT: I wouldnt say Mario Kart 7 felt rushed...honestly its one of the most fun out of the entire series...aside from double dash co-op racing.

I'd just fault NSMB 2 for not having more enemy variety, and not going with some more varied world themes...but at least each world map has a theme and isnt just a random combo of background stuff like 3D land. Really picky about stuff like that

But hey, the junior devs came up with dry everything! Actually, I think the dry goombas and dry piranha plants are a reference to the grey palette enemies from SMB1.

Actually, they also brought back the paragoombas that drop microgoombas that latch on to you. And they brought back blooper nannies and baby bloopers.

 

[Teknoman]

But hey, the junior devs came up with dry everything! Actually, I think the dry goombas and dry piranha plants are a reference to the grey palette enemies from SMB1.

Actually, they also brought back the paragoombas that drop microgoombas that latch on to you. And they brought back blooper nannies and baby bloopers.

Yeah thats what I was thinking too, but I hope they keep them this way. Better see giant dry bones in U too. By variety, with Reznor returning...maybe I set myself up for it, since I was expecting more Mario World enemies to return too:

Of course i've just finished the first canon warp world and havent even started world 2 or 3, so guess I should keep moving.


EDIT: Think i'm gonna rep Mario for awhile, considering there is still Paper Mario SSS this November, and WiiU Mario U madness throughout the rest of 2012.

 

[Exeunt]

I just beat all the levels and got every Star Coin in the game after about 14 hours.

Well, I think I have all the Star Coins; does anyone know if you get a message after collecting all of them? The reason I ask is (post-game spoilers)

Spoiler

I got a message saying I collected all the Moon Coins in the game after the Star World, but no such message upon completing the main game.

I checked all the levels and they each have all three Star Coins present so perhaps I somehow missed a level.

Anyway, the game was lots of fun. The difficulty was a little on the "easy" side for the most part; there were few parts that got extremely difficult and a couple that felt comfortably challenging, but I felt that it hovered around "easy" most of the time. Trying to get all the Star Coins and secret exits was fun and involved playing certain levels many, many times. Actually going through a level and trying to get as many coins as possible can be tricky yet enjoyable as well... Maybe the game is designed around playing for coins and collectibles but that doesn't change the fact that the platformer foundation is pretty breezy.

On the note of difficulty, I thought the post-World 6 content was terribly disappointing. Spoilers if you haven't reached that part:

Spoiler

The Star World levels were like most of the game—very quick and simple with maybe one or two levels in which I had to actively hunt for Star Coins. The final castle level felt like a strong fortress, but the Dry Bowser fight at the end was quite lazy— a "beat the final boss again" requirement with a different coat of paint.

Not really the highest note for the game to go out on.

That said, I had a lot of fun and put a lot of time into the game since its release. The levels feel well-designed and fun even if there isn't much challenge in them and there are plenty of secrets to be found. I said this before but it's worth repeating as my overall feeling: this is a safe title but one that is still really fun. If you buy into the coin-collecting gimmick there are new objectives and ways to play levels and there are some well-hidden secrets to find. But it also gets a little formulaic even within its own levels—I don't remember there being so many ghost houses in other Mario titles—and doesn't feel as drastic a change as other non-NSMB titles in the 2D series.

 

[Cade]

I've just been taking it in at a casual pace. I'm having a lot of fun and playing almost nonstop, but I'm not blazing through the levels either. If I finish a level and I saw a star coin or possible secret exit that I missed I'll go back and replay the level trying to get them. I'm trying to unlock as many levels as I can as I go, but I haven't 100% cleared any of the worlds yet, but I'm pretty close on worlds 1 and 2 I think.

I'm currently midway through world 4 and I've done a bit of one of the secret worlds. I have almost 17,000 coins and around 200-250 lives. My Activity Log shows 5 hours and 24 minutes, so I expect to clock in probably around 8-10 hours by the time I see the credits roll, and that doesn't account for going back to 100% worlds or any time I might spend on coin rush or if I try to go for the million coins.

I'm having a lot of fun with it.

Ah, alright. Sounds like a good way to do it. I'm sure I'll be happy with it.

If you enjoyed NSMBDS that much, then yes. The only NSMB games I truly enjoyed were NSMB Wii and this so far, and i'm happy with the purchase.

Great, thanks. I found the only things wrong with NSMBDS were too many ghost houses, heh.

 

[zroid]

Well at least you're enjoying it so far. I'm glad to see some folks are. What with some of the comments on here, and giantbomb's quick look, I was getting worried.

The QL didn't really turn me off per se; they pretty much agreed that it's a good game. It's just... safe, I guess.

But there definitely is creativity in the level design. Unfortunately, much of it is masked by the samey/lacklustre audiovisual presentation and a gimmick which isn't appealing to everyone.

 

[Kazerei]

Well, I think I have all the Star Coins; does anyone know if you get a message after collecting all of them?

There should be two stars on your save file if you've found all the Star Coins, and three stars if you've found all the Moon Coins.

 

[RagnarokX]

Yeah thats what I was thinking too, but I hope they keep them this way. Better see giant dry bones in U too. By variety, with Reznor returning...maybe I set myself up for it, since I was expecting more Mario World enemies to return too:

Of course i've just finished the first canon warp world and havent even started world 2 or 3, so guess I should keep moving.

Yeah, more variety is always good. I was just saying it's been cool to see them digging up some long lost enemies over the past few games. Torpedo Teds are like the most obscure enemy they've brought back (they were previously only in 1 level of SMW). I wish this game had a parabeetle level. That was one of the harder levels in SMB3 and NSMBW did it even better.

Water levels should bring back lava lotuses from SMB3.

 

[Exeunt]

There should be two stars on your save file if you've found all the Star Coins, and three stars if you've found all the

Spoiler

Moon Coins

.

I have three stars on my file, so I guess that confirms that I have found all the Star Coins... Odd that they would have a message for one thing but not the other. I suppose the text in the game could've used more polish overall, as evidenced by the typo images floating around. Thanks for your post (but the last part might be a bit spoilery—I don't know).

 

[El Pescado]

Is StreetPass data shared between the DD and retail version?

I bought the DD version at midnight and my wife picked up the retail version the next day, but what happens if I put the retail version in my 3DS? Will my Coin Rush data show up? Are the DD and retail versions considered different games internally?

 

[Glix]

Are we comparing coin rushes in here? Just got 3100+ in mushroom no racoon

 

[Emitan]

I'm really hoping those bonus worlds I see on the bottom screen have larger enemy variety.

 

[branny]

IDK when my copy is coming, but I'm really curious how I'll feel about this considering how much I dislike Mario's movement in NSMB and NSMB Wii.

Both NSMB and NSMB Wii are fresh in my mind, too, since I blitzed through them a week ago in anticipation for this. As much as I like SM3DL, 3D Mario just can't scratch the same itch for me, borked NSMB physics or not.

 

[Teknoman]

So what are you guys finding the best depth of field x background detail balance for the 3D slider to be? Also just noticed some enemies actually slightly pop out the screen (Piranha plants for instance).

I'm really hoping those bonus worlds I see on the bottom screen have larger enemy variety.

You havent used a cannon yet?

 

[Emitan]

So what are you guys finding the best depth of field x background detail balance for the 3D slider to be? Also just noticed some enemies actually slightly pop out the screen (Piranha plants for instance).

3D off like in every 3DS game

You havent used a cannon yet?

I don't look for secret exits my first time through.

 

[ace harding: private eye]

This game's a big disappointment. It's basically NSMB Wii Lite. Same graphics, same music, same worlds. I'm sick of ghost houses and vertical castles. I'm also tired of the standard Wii / DS chime sound effects.
I haven't played a more creatively vapid sequel since Super Mario 2 JP for NES. Such a missed opportunity, especially for the system, considering the 3D effect would have been cool in a sidescroller for deep backgrounds, enemies, or even a diorama-like world map.

 

[eggwolio]

If we both do have our own cart, why the hell are we restricted to being on the same area of the level?

I'm glad this is bugging someone else. I bought two copies specifically so that my lady and I could play together and this really takes some of the fun out of it for us.

I'm really enjoying the single player still, but we really planned on playing through the whole thing together.

 

[Thoraxes]

As much as I was hesitant to buy thism i'm glad I did so far.

I don't know how to better word this, but there's a certain smooth-ness that feels beyond what i've felt in NSMB games before. Like, it just runs really fluidly. It's the same feeling I got playing the NSMB U demo.

 

[Aeana]

The designers' penchant for P blocks is, I think, the most irritating thing about the game for me so far. I've never liked that mechanic in any Mario game, and they are just used so much more frequently in this one than any other.

 

[lazybones18]

Players weren't kidding about the final boss. You're MUCH better than that Nintendo

 

[branny]

I don't know how to better word this, but there's a certain smooth-ness that feels beyond what i've felt in NSMB games before. Like, it just runs really fluidly. It's the same feeling I got playing the NSMB U demo.

As someone who is overly picky about how a game "feels", I'm incredibly hyped to hear this. That tiny bit of indescribable fluidity you're picking up on could be the difference between me loving the game or totally hating it.

 

[IrishNinja]

a few pages back, i asked for gaffer impressions - just wanted to say i read em, and thanks for reposting guys. sounds like its worth the $20 but i should expect something on a lower tier than 3D land was.

Did someone mention every hidden exit in this game is obtainable with powerups found inside the level? Because if so, they're wrong.

Spoiler

3-Tower's hidden exit needs Mini-Mario, and the mini Mushroom doesn't appear until 3-B

speaking of - stumps, what are your thoughts, man?

 

[Deleted member 1235]

So since nearly everyone agrees this is better than NSMBDS, and I actually really enjoyed NSMBDS, I should be in seventh heaven playing this?

Game is great.

 

[kittens]

Played this today. The movement feels really slippery and floaty. Didn't like it. Music and graphics are terrible, too. The golden block head power up made me giggle, though.

 

[Teknoman]

Played this today. The movement feels really slippery and floaty. Didn't like it. Music and graphics are terrible, too. The golden block head power up made me giggle, though.

I dunno about terrible...I mean even if you dont like the music or art style of the series, terrible is a little harsh.

 

[DanteRavenkin]

Loving this game. I've played for 4 hours, have 30k+ coins and I'm not even past the third world yet. I'm really surprised how many secrets this game seems to have, and not all of them are easy to find, either. And Coin Rush is a blast/the worst thing to happen to anxiety ever. Well worth the real life coins I paid for it!

 

[Alex]

Nintendo really needs a new reward/collection system for Mario. Zelda too, really, they alieviated that at least a little with Skyward but they need to keep going. These games are built with the same 80s systems when the 80s design is long gone.

The coin stuff could have been really cool if coins had any purpose whatsoever.

 

[kittens]

I dunno about terrible...I mean even if you dont like the music or art style of the series, terrible is a little harsh.

Worst in the series, then? Terrible for Mario? I really do hate it, haha.

 

[RagnarokX]

Nintendo really needs a new reward/collection system for Mario. Zelda too, really, they alieviated that at least a little with Skyward but they need to keep going. These games are built with the same 80s systems when the 80s design is long gone.

The coin stuff could have been really cool if coins had any purpose whatsoever.

Getting the star coins is the reward itself.

 

[Alex]

Getting the star coins is the reward itself.

Well, yeah, if they didn't have Star Coins in general the game would take a huge hit, but that doesn't make normal coins, which the game is built and advertised around, and the current 1up system not stupid and useless.

I'm still in world 2, collecting all the star coins, I have 147 lives... neat.