Thanks to the eShop download going live across the U.S. at 12:00 AM Eastern Time, West Coast Mario fans could purchase and download New Super Mario Bros. 2 at 9:00 PM last night. It was odd and fun to finally see a full retail Nintendo release sitting there on the eShop virtual shelf!
Price: $39.99
Download time for me: about 45 minutes
First impressions: Instant fun. The short opening cinema is silly beyond belief (a good thing in Mario titles). No surprises in game layout, menus, or interface — but I love the little music clip that plays when you initially okay the game’s Streetpass function.
The use of 3D is unique; the distant background is blurred in 3D, but comes into focus if you switch to 2D. Some reviewers have complained about this, but I love the contrast in focus. It gives the game a unique style I haven’t seen in a Mario title before.
The coin collecting emphasis instantly gives the game a more replayable, mobile-gaming, open-ended feel. Coin Rush mode is very challenging and a welcome addition.
Love the new enemies and obstacles. Great Giant Boo animation. Awesome lighting effects. Best new power-up: The Gold Flower — Possibly the most fun-to-use power-up in the series’ history.
So, Infendo readers, how are you enjoying Mario’s latest adventure? What are your favorite new features? Least favorite? If you bought it in the eShop, how did your download time compare to mine?
Jared
waiting to get paid before i pick it up 😡 😡 😡
batmyke
I’m LOVING it! Great 3D, some really interesting new level features (green crawling blocks, anyone?), and the coin craziness is awesome.
I bought in-store (so I can share my cart with my two sons), and other than the lower amount of coins I get on Club Nintendo, I’m perfectly happy with that.
Cheers!
Hitokiri_Ace
I’m loving this game as well. My download took around 15-20 minutes? I dozed off, so wifey watched it. lol I love the new gold flower, it’s awesome. Collecting so many coins is crazy, and the new ghost goombas and such are a cool little twist.
I love having it available to just click on anytime and play. I might just buy all my games digitally from now on. (Unless wifey wants a 3ds, then.. prolly carts, to share.)
The Adza
I downloaded my copy. While I could have saved $15AU on getting it in store at my local Target, there was no guarantee it was going to be there in stock as I live in a fairly small town. But it’s nice having it on my system. Its a game I will always come back to for a quick run through, and with DLC to come its a great idea to have it always there.
I don’t like the 3D effect at all. It’s really quite boring so I don’t even turn it on at all. Its not a deal breaker, it’s just pointless. The rest of the game so far has been a blast. I’m loving it.