That game from two years ago. The one which I hated so much for being too easy. The one that was just so. Short. Yeah, that one.
I think it's now in my top three 3D Mario games (Sitting just below Galaxy, and Galaxy 2). I don't know if it's just a change in tastes, or how I've changed the way I play games, but it's a blast. I just finished my second playthrough of it (Thank-you, Nintendo's XL Luigi's Mansion/Pokemon: Gates to Infinity promotion!), and my opinion of it is completely different from before.
The stages are very compact (even including the search for each stage's three Star Coins), but they are almost all fun. Even the Ghost House levels which I typically hate, I absolutely loved here. The stage design is awesome, and that's absolute necessity for a series that has been around for so long with little changes elsewhere. And because of the compact nature of the stages, it's a perfect game to pick-up-and-play; which is in turn perfect for a handheld system!
The music is... Okay. It's not "Eh" worthy, yet on the other hand it's definitely not "WOW" worthy either. I never turned it down though, and found myself constantly humming the tunes at random times of the day. I definitely feel like it could have been worked on a bit more, and some extra variety could have been sprinkled in here and there, but it gets the job done.
The graphics are amazing considering how early in the 3DS's life it was released. Looking at it closely you may see some jaggies, but while playing with 3D on all I see is a vibrant world popping out at me. Which reminds me: If there's a game on the system that should always be played with 3D for a better experience, it's this one.
The CONTROLS. Oh my word the controls. They are amazingly responsive. And unlike Galaxy's biggest annoyance (To me, anyways), there's absolutely no gimmicks here! No waggle, no tilting and turning (Cannons can be aimed with the gyroscope, but the option to use the Circle Pad is also there), just good ol' responsive controls.
[size=-2][Small note -- Use Y for running and B for jumping, way easier!][/size]
I think the biggest complaint I have with the game is the requirements for the final level. Hitting the top of the flagpole in each stage is an okay thing to ask. But requiring you to hit the top of the flagpole, in each stage, with both Bros. is a bit ridiculous.
All-in-all this is just a great game, even if it is a little bit on the short side. I think my favorite stage has to be Bowser's Castle (World 8-Castle). The final rush is extremely fun, because it doesn't encourage you to run at all times (Like everyone on earth should), it FORCES you to run at all times. The stages with the flipping panels are also all flipping fun (hahajokes). Honorable mentions go to the "30-Second Levels" as well.
What's your opinion on the game? Favorite stage? Song? Mario or Luigi? How do you think it fares in comparison to the other games in the Mario Franchise? Fire away!
I think it's now in my top three 3D Mario games (Sitting just below Galaxy, and Galaxy 2). I don't know if it's just a change in tastes, or how I've changed the way I play games, but it's a blast. I just finished my second playthrough of it (Thank-you, Nintendo's XL Luigi's Mansion/Pokemon: Gates to Infinity promotion!), and my opinion of it is completely different from before.
The stages are very compact (even including the search for each stage's three Star Coins), but they are almost all fun. Even the Ghost House levels which I typically hate, I absolutely loved here. The stage design is awesome, and that's absolute necessity for a series that has been around for so long with little changes elsewhere. And because of the compact nature of the stages, it's a perfect game to pick-up-and-play; which is in turn perfect for a handheld system!
The music is... Okay. It's not "Eh" worthy, yet on the other hand it's definitely not "WOW" worthy either. I never turned it down though, and found myself constantly humming the tunes at random times of the day. I definitely feel like it could have been worked on a bit more, and some extra variety could have been sprinkled in here and there, but it gets the job done.
The graphics are amazing considering how early in the 3DS's life it was released. Looking at it closely you may see some jaggies, but while playing with 3D on all I see is a vibrant world popping out at me. Which reminds me: If there's a game on the system that should always be played with 3D for a better experience, it's this one.
The CONTROLS. Oh my word the controls. They are amazingly responsive. And unlike Galaxy's biggest annoyance (To me, anyways), there's absolutely no gimmicks here! No waggle, no tilting and turning (Cannons can be aimed with the gyroscope, but the option to use the Circle Pad is also there), just good ol' responsive controls.
[size=-2][Small note -- Use Y for running and B for jumping, way easier!][/size]
I think the biggest complaint I have with the game is the requirements for the final level. Hitting the top of the flagpole in each stage is an okay thing to ask. But requiring you to hit the top of the flagpole, in each stage, with both Bros. is a bit ridiculous.
All-in-all this is just a great game, even if it is a little bit on the short side. I think my favorite stage has to be Bowser's Castle (World 8-Castle). The final rush is extremely fun, because it doesn't encourage you to run at all times (Like everyone on earth should), it FORCES you to run at all times. The stages with the flipping panels are also all flipping fun (hahajokes). Honorable mentions go to the "30-Second Levels" as well.
What's your opinion on the game? Favorite stage? Song? Mario or Luigi? How do you think it fares in comparison to the other games in the Mario Franchise? Fire away!