Column: 'Critical Reception: Nintendo's New Super Mario Bros.'

This week's Critical Reception looks at a graceful homage to the old school 2D platforming days of Mario, in the Nintendo-developed and produced New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS. With such heavy boots to fill, the game doesn't disappoint as far as game reviewers' viewpoints, earning plaudits on its way to a 93% average, according to game review compilation website GameRankings.com. GameDaily's John Benyamine sings the game's praises in the following manner: "The fact that the levels are chockfull of innovative gameplay and level design never seen before in a Mario game is reason enough to make this a no-brainer purchase. On top of that, the visuals come in scorching hot, with gorgeous 3D bringing the old school into a new school setting. Sprinkle in some minigames and multiplayer modes, and you have a system seller." Of his few complaints, he says that "the difficulty is a bit weak" and that "network-wide Nintendo Wi-Fi play" would have been nice. You can read the full Gamasutra column, including further reception from GameSpot and 1UP (no registration required, please feel free to link to this column from external websites).