Hands-on: New Super Mario Bros. Wii
by Ben Gilbert 
{ Jun 4th 2009 at 9:30PM } 
While the chaotic nature of the gameplay was a bit off-putting at first, we quickly found ourselves wall-jumping to one of our partners' heads, bouncing along to stomp goombas (among other nasty beasts). Truth be told, the controls for New Super Mario Bros. Wii are akin to riding a bike. We were instructed to hold the Wiimote sideways, a la the classic NES controller, and instantly pushed in the one button and held it, as to focus little Toad (our character) on speed.
The first change we noticed came in the addition of motion controls, where we shook the Wiimote (with vigor) to pick up one of our partners. We could see the game employing this technique for interesting, co-op-required gameplay, though we're less than confident such an idea will make it into the game.
Furthermore, the lack of inclusion of online co-op will be forcing us to sit in the same room as other human beings and that, frankly, is worrisome. But seriously, if Nintendo can make an at least semi-successful online mode for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, what's stopping them from adding online co-op to New Super Mario Bros. Wii?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 4th 2009 9:37PM
"what's stopping them from adding online co-op to New Super Mario Bros. Wii?"
Well, if you believe Miyamoto, it's because this game "maxes out the processing power of the wii".
No...I'm not kidding, he really said that. He even had me scratching my head, as I don't even think the Wii is THAT lacking in power. Wonder what the real reason is?
CitizenSnips @ Jun 4th 2009 9:40PM
what he said sounds better than "We just didn't feel like doing it. Plus we're busy with more important games like Zelda and Galaxy 2."
Ezio Auditore de Firenze [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 4th 2009 9:47PM
galaxy looks like it takes more processing power than this game. and why have mario, luigi, and 2 toads? could they not find another person for the fourth instead of just saying "let's put in one more toad"?
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 4th 2009 10:00PM
Yeah this game didn't exactly look like the epitome of hard work and attention to detail to begin with, just seems like a quick cash in off the DS game's success
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 4th 2009 10:01PM
This might make some people mad but I think the real deal is Nintendo is getting kind of lazy with the core stuff on the wii. This game looks neat and all but it seriously seems more like a downloadable game than a full retail release. It's almost like they just threw this game together right quick with little thought about innovating. It's pretty much an HD remake of the former 2-D mario titles.
There really isn't an excuse not to have online co-op for a game like this. Seriously, who has 4 wii mote setups in the first place and it's not likely to have that many people all playing at once in front of one screen.
This looks neat but I'm kind of left scratching my head saying "what's the point?" That new Metroid with Team Ninja looks cool because it's something new and truly innovative. This looks like a half hearted attempt at pleasing the core audience. Thats just my opinion anyway ... It was kind of the same thing with Punch Out IMO. Give us some innovation with your stuff Nintendo.
It seems like we have all been playing the same exact games from Nintendo for 20 years just with new graphics each generation and not much else. I'm not trying to be overly critical but it's kind of frustrating that Nintendo thinks this is what gamers want to play on the platform.
Fun DMC @ Jun 4th 2009 10:01PM
my guess is that the Wii loads up the entire level into memory when you begin it so that there aren't any issues when zooming out and scrolling.
still, though, that's still a pretty bullshit reason.
Fun DMC @ Jun 4th 2009 10:03PM
"it's kind of frustrating that Nintendo thinks this is what gamers want to play on the platform."
To be fair, look at the reaction. It kind of is what people want to play on Nintendo's platform. Were you expecting anything different? You don't buy a Wii or a Gamecube or an N64 expecting Call of Duty or God of War or Vagrant Story or whatever. You buy 'em for Nintendo's 'core' titles and whatever gems might also hit, and that makes a lot of folks happy, myself included. I'm happier with my PS3 at the moment, of course, but that doesn't mean I regret purchasing the Wii.
Roto13 @ Jun 4th 2009 10:10PM
A new Mario side-scroller, something that has never been less than great in the 25-ish years since Super Mario Bros. 1? Let's complain about it.
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 4th 2009 10:11PM
@Fun Dmc
Well I didn't mean COD or KZ 2. I just meant that most people would prefer something like Galaxy which was a nice re-imagining of the Mario franchise. Most people are begging for a new Zelda, Starfox, Pikmin or that new Metroid that was announced. Most people want the characters but they want a re-imagining of them in a creative way instead of this awkward half hearted effort. Thats what I was getting at if you know what I'm saying.
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 4th 2009 10:14PM
I'm not even trying to complain about this game I'm just saying what I've seen so far looks awkward.
WREturns @ Jun 4th 2009 11:28PM
I like how the first part of this thread is owned by tsprinkles and the two guys with their PSN IDs in their name. Nothing to play on your PS3s tonight?
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 5th 2009 12:04AM
@WRE
I know you were being facetious but I'll take the bait anyway. I've been playing the Uncharted 2 beta mostly all day with some Infamous and Cross Edge sprinkled in for good measure. There is more than enough games to play and I actually have a few PSN games I haven't even touched yet.
What has crawled up your back side lately? You seem to be very grumpy in the last couple of weeks. Let's discuss the issues and the merit or lack thereof of some of the issues we have raised. No need to reduce this into some kind of a claim of bias because of a PSN ID in our tags.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 5th 2009 12:33AM
WRE's become just as bad a troll as anyone on this site lately, which is surprising as he used to be a decent poster.
He's also lacking in the creativity department if all he can come up with is tsprinkles.
WREturns @ Jun 5th 2009 2:05AM
@ Jonny,
Dude, c'mon. If me cracking a joke is being grumpy, I'll be super serious and dour from here on out. And I think it's funny because as far as I know none of you guys have a Wii nor plans to get one, so being the three to really sound off in this post struck me as ironic.
@ tmac,
Please dude, you calling someone else a troll is flat out hypocritical and borderline retarded to boot. You used to be funny, occasionally, but all you post about is how much you hate Nintendo this or that, even in totally unrelated articles. I know you're afraid that people will throw this in your face coupled with the fact that you contradict yourself constantly (hence your locked profile) but give it a rest. Some of us come here to have a reasonable and well-thought discussion without having to deal with the constant barrage of nonsensical ramblings from someone with the emotional maturity of a two year old. Your takes-one-to-no-one attitude may have been quite the hit in middle school but your consistently downvoted posts should attest to the fact that it doesn't play well here. Have a good night!
Markez @ Jun 5th 2009 5:32AM
Ahhhhhhhhhhh man, yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn. It is nice getting my Fallout fix once again now that the 360 showed back up today.
At any rate, seriously you calling anyone a troll is hilarious and not believable. I came up with that. Not because it was creative, but because the name is so appropriate for you. Funny how sensible and level headed Sly is despite being almost 10 years younger.
@ Johnny - Understandable criticisms, although I think they did change things up quite a bit in the Zelda fanchise with Windwaker, and dramatically changed things in the Mario universe with Sunshine & Galaxy. Never liked Metroid games so I can't really speak on those. I dunno what to think about this title yet, but my initial thoughts were pretty negative about it. Could be real fun, though. I didn't think Wario Shake It looked that compelling either, but we've certainly seen some fun stuff come out in rather unassuming or unimpressive 'packaging'
Brodo @ Jun 5th 2009 9:08AM
Do people honestly even care about online with nintendo?? I think that nintendo has proven to us that they REALLY dont know how to make an online game work effectively. Mario kart was an exeption, however the game did have lag, it just wasnt very significant because it was a racing game.
If your playing a game like New Super Mario Bros you would need it to be nearly 100% lag free. That isnt gonna happen
Duke @ Jun 5th 2009 9:56AM
I thought WRE was just joking and busting balls, I don't think he has done anything to be considered trollish.
Anywho, regarding the game, while I'm happy to see Nintendo making more with their core franchises I have to agree that people should be seeing new variants and not the same old same old with them. Galaxy impressed people and gave a reason to get excited and they just don't seem dedicated to trying to wow their customers more than once here and there. Also, Nintendo's refusal to get on board with accessible online gameplay is just insulting at this point. Love your wii all you like, but anyone should agree they are being screwed over regarding that.
Vidikron @ Jun 5th 2009 10:08AM
This is what tmac is referring to, though he's talking about Wii Speak and not online: http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/04/miyamoto-super-mario-bros-wii-could-be-better-but-the-wiis-t/
Bowser Rogozhin: Princess Nyah DF; Abigail Williams Slayer @ Jun 5th 2009 10:22AM
"There really isn't an excuse not to have online co-op for a game like this."
I really don't understand this comment. It's a platformer, a 2D platformer. What benefit would online play add?
The joy of playing games with others is seeing and hearing the enthusiastic reaction of your peers and/or loved ones to what's going on on-screen. This feeling of euphoria is optimum when your comrades are seated right besides you. Online play will never achieve the same level of camaraderie as local play. Never! And this march to online modes in every single game is disheartening. It’s like people no longer have real friends they can game with.
Vidikron @ Jun 5th 2009 10:29AM
"I really don't understand this comment. It's a platformer, a 2D platformer. What benefit would online play add?"
The ability to play online with friends? I mean, that seems pretty obvious. I get the appeal of local multiplayer, but I have a family and duties at home as do my friends. So I can meet them online far more often than in person. Then there people from places like here at Joystiq that I'll almost certainly never have the opportunity to meet in real life. Again, the appeal of local co-op/multiplayer is obvious, but I think the appeal of online is rather obvious as well.
Bowser Rogozhin: Princess Nyah DF; Abigail Williams Slayer @ Jun 5th 2009 10:38AM
It's a 2D platformer. The idea of four players simultaneously on screen sounds sacrilegious, let alone adding online multiplayer.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 5th 2009 10:42AM
Well I have a Wii, and I STILL think this is nonsense. Okay, I was prepared for repetition of games that already existed (Mario Galaxy and Metroid) but when I saw this, I just had to sigh and place my face in the palm of my hands.
Bowser Rogozhin has a point regarding mutiplay over online multiplay, which is one thing I would prefer in most games (I prefer to point and laugh at my mates when I've kicked thier ass in a game), but yet still, no amount of multiplay would spur me to go out and buy this for full retail price on a Wii, DS yes, Wii no.
Johnny also has a point, all it demonstrated to me and my bro while we watched the conference was pure laziness and I've loved Super Mario Bro games since the first :(
Saying that, like Markez says, the proof is in the play which is perfectly correct, although I doubt I'll get that proof because nothing inside me at the moment is spurring me to buy this for full price over Galaxy 2, Monster Hunter 3, Conduit or Metroid for examples.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 5th 2009 10:49AM
Vidikron, online has it's importance, but you can't cut the fact that offline coop / multiplay really does add its benefits, playing Halo was always more fun to me on coop with someone I know next to me helping out, online is fun too, but its better when you know the person, especially if that person is a sibling and seeing as most coop games are played with my bro, I shouldn't have to send him off to timbucktu to play coop in games online.
Sports games for example NEED offline multiplay as well as online.
Vidikron @ Jun 5th 2009 11:00AM
@Maverick Saturn
You act like the two are mutually exclusive. Why can't you just have both online and offline? Again, I can meet my friends online almost any evening at some point, but we can get together in person maybe once a week.
As for your Halo example, online has additional benefits there as well. While playing locally has the benefits your guys are mentioning, playing online gives each person the entire screen to work with instead of half or less. Or look at a game like World at War. It has offline split screen, but graphic fidelity takes a big hit... objects are missing and the draw distance is much shorter. There's just more horsepower to work with when playing online.
@Bowser Rogozhin:
"It's a 2D platformer. The idea of four players simultaneously on screen sounds sacrilegious, let alone adding online multiplayer. "
You're entited to your own opinion of course, but I've had a blast playing LBP online with 2-4 players... including people from Joystiq that I'd never have the opportunity to play with offline. Co-op can, does, and has worked just fine for platformers.
SKI @ Jun 5th 2009 12:51PM
The problem is the Wii has to be able to zoom out to show you the entire level.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 5th 2009 1:00PM
I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying that multiplayer offline should be present in gaming as well, the issue here is that games are slowly ditching the offline mutiplay if possible in favour of online coop, games were supposed to be bringing people together, abandoning offline multiplay doesnt help that issue. In order to play Killzone 2 with any member of my family, I need to either buy another PS3 for the house or go off to a mates house to play it against them, which is kind of annoying.
Its not that I have anything against online, I think it should be there, I love going against others online instead of the AI, but I also think multiplayer offline should be part of gaming. The main positive console gaming had over arcades and PCs back in the old days was the fact people could play the games they loved at home, on thier sofa with their mates and family, now some games have you sitting in a living room all on your own playing with other people on a screen and talking over a mic, no beers, no quick fun matches, no chilling out to watch a movie with them afterwards, kind of looses the whole 'interactivity' feeling.
Markez @ Jun 5th 2009 1:18PM
PS - Being that he's one of my fave posters here on the 'stiq, I should point out that Johnny does indeed have a Wii, HE JUST PREFERS THE EXTREME POWER OF TEH CELLLLL!!!! He's probably too much in la la land what with the Magic in the finals and all to take us too seriously right now, tho :P
Vidikron @ Jun 5th 2009 1:18PM
OK, I agree with what you're saying then. We were discussing NSMB which already has local co-op, so I was basically just arguing that it would be nice to have online and specifically addressing Bowser's statement that it would be pointless. I wasn't intending to argue that online should replace local. Because, yes, I agree that local co-op is too often missing these days.
Markez @ Jun 5th 2009 1:20PM
@ Vidikron - Local will always be the gold standard, just sucks getting older and not being able to game with all your closest pals!
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 5th 2009 2:04PM
@WRE
I didn't mean just this one post but since you have returned under this new avatar and name you seem to be grumpy. Thats all I was saying. It seems you and Duke have both had bugs up your butt lately for some reason.
As for the Wii ... sorry dude but I've had one damn near since launch. My kids mostly play it but it was actually purchased with myself in mind. Even if I didn't have one (which I do) why would that matter for making an observation about this trailer? Just because you have a Wii and if someone else didn't doesn't change the fact neither have played this game and are both just going off what they saw.
Anyway ...
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 5th 2009 2:18PM
Markez
Yeah man and I am pretty embarassed after last nights game. Hopefully the "master of panic" AKA Stan Van Jeremy can make some kind of adjustment because that wasn't the same Magic we have been this post season. Even when it was close early I knew we were going to get blown out. We looked shell shocked.
And oh yeah ... I'm def going to see Land Of The Lost tonight with my boy Kenny Powers & Ashley Schaffer AKA Will Ferrell.
@Bowser
I know what you are saying about this one not needing multiplayer because of the type of game it is. The fact it supports 4 player co-op and doesn't require any type of competitive feature just begs for online co-op. Little Big Planet did a good job of integrating 4 player co-op in online multiplayer. At first it was pretty laggy but eventually it got fixed. Basically, it's not like you can't have both online and local co-op for the game. It would just make the game so much better. It would also make Nintendo step out of their comfort zone and I would five them a golden star for innovation for the addition of that simple mechanic. It's not like I want them to turn Mario into a dragon with ten dicks for innovation. I just want something a little less awkward.
NFK @ Jun 5th 2009 4:11PM
The graphics look worse than on DS.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 5th 2009 4:49PM
Long live Mario.....in side scrollers.....collecting coins.....with his pals.....with more and more people playing.
So whats planned for next year? 8 player Super Mario?
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 5th 2009 5:57PM
WRE has been different lately. Anyone here remember when he called GT 5 a quick cash in the other day, when it's been in development for years and the creator is a detail nut?
Yeah, that's roughly what I'm referring to when I called him a troll.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 5th 2009 8:38PM
Tmac, remember, this is you talking, based on what I've seen in articles, if WRE is a troll, I doubt there is a monster comparable to you other then a Balrog.
Adolph @ Jun 4th 2009 9:38PM
Has Nintendo confirmed t hat NO ONLINE ? Or is it assumed.
Maybe as of now it has no online, but by the time it ships it might.
This is coming what early November (typically nintendo ships big fall release games near when the console originally released )
that's plenty of time to add Online.
oh yeah does the controls feel like NSMB ? Those controls were floaty and odd.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 4th 2009 9:41PM
Miyamoto himself confirmed no online
http://kotaku.com/5278060/no-online-play-for-new-super-mario-bros
Read my above comment for his (laughable) reason why.
redjack @ Jun 5th 2009 8:49AM
Zelda: Four Swords Adventures had SNES graphics and had the same game mechanic as this. So I don't see it as surprising or laughable. And if the framerate never drops I'd say its a good decision.
Neogeek2734 @ Jun 4th 2009 9:42PM
Personally always prefered side-scrolling mario, reminds me of when i was a wee lad. Definetly going to check this out.
AmitZ @ Jun 4th 2009 9:45PM
What is it with everyone being obsessed with online?
I can see how online can be good to games like FPS and fighting games,
but a game like Mario?
I much prefer playing this with my friend sitting in my living room, rather then playing with some Japanese 8 years old I don't know, thank you very much.
Fun DMC @ Jun 4th 2009 9:59PM
uh, dude, this is 2009
you can play people you KNOW online
cool huh
and we'd all rather play with our friends in the living room if possible
but sometimes, that's either not possible or inconvenient
that's the beauty of online, and for a co-op game like this, it would have made perfect sense. More sense than you trying to justify its omission, anyway.
Kenny Powers Fastball (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Jun 4th 2009 10:04PM
@AmitZ
This is the type of game begging for online. Don't make excuses for Nintendo.
Martin @ Jun 4th 2009 10:20PM
Anything with multiplayer should be online at this point. There really is no excuse.
@tomic @ Jun 4th 2009 11:19PM
What everyone else said, plus I really won't have anyone to play with, so if it has no online I and others like me will be missing out on the main draw of this game.
CaramelZappa @ Jun 4th 2009 11:27PM
What about all the people who can't play in the living room with their friends?
I have a bunch of friends off in different colleges. across the country. I don't get to hang out with them often, but over xbox live we can still talk, and play video games together. (soon watch movies too)
Yea, when we get together and play smash all in the same room it's a lot better than playing online, but we don't get to do that enough. The wii has built in wifi. It has built in bluetooth. Why can't I talk to my friends with a headset and play them over the internet? It doesn't make any sense.
As the others said, it's 2009. There is no excuse.
Jimbotron @ Jun 5th 2009 11:35AM
@ Martin: Not necessarily. Remember that Nintendo still focuses on the entire family. This is a game meant to be played with your family (and friends) in your living room. Half the fun of this kind of multiplayer is the hoopla and reactions you get from those you are playing against. And for that, having them in the same room beats having them "online" any day of the week.
The Wii isn't marketed to the same group as the PS3 and 360. It's markets as a console the whole family can enjoy together, and this game is a perfect example of that. Online for every game for the PS3 and 360 is fine, since those are marketed towards individuals who either live alone, or have very few real friends, or live far from their friends. though it now seems both Sony and Microsoft are going to start targeting the family as well.
Fun DMC @ Jun 5th 2009 1:22PM
oh my sweet jesus. I get so tired of posting this this.
sometimes.
it's not possible.
to get everyone in the living room.
that's when online shines.
need me to say it again, since saying it fifteen times on ten different websites today has yet to have clicked?
So many of you miss this point, especially Bowser. Bowser, listen. EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS THAT LOCAL MULTIPLAYER IS PREFERRED.
duuuuh.
But, again, sometimes this is either _not possible_ or _inconvenient_.
This is when online comes into play.
I wish people would stop making stupid excuses for lazy devs.
Shadow Hog @ Jun 4th 2009 9:46PM
Ha, that video is 60FPS. Nice, the Youtube videos were only 30.
Anyway, the game sounds great. Hopefully it won't be as forgettable as the first NSMB was (very enjoyable, mind, just forgettable).
Rumor of Boz @ Jun 4th 2009 9:49PM
Please just tell us this can be enjoyed single player too. Beacause as cool as this game looks 4 player (and it does) I would much rather have a real "sequel" to NSMB....which was fantastic! Adding Online would be cool but in no way a deal breaker as long as it can be enjoyed in single player too.
Fun DMC @ Jun 4th 2009 10:00PM
Miyamoto confirmed in an interview that this is a game designed with both single player and multiplayer in mind - that it does not become significantly easier or harder, or more or less fun, when playing alone or as a group.