Smughtro

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a tough game, old school tough. So you'd better bring your butt stomping a-game, as this will test even the most seasoned platforming veterans. But while New Super Mario Brothers Wii looks and plays like classics like Super Mario Brothers 3, there are enough additions here, such as four player co-op, to make it a completely engaging title in its own right. Whether you decide to tackle it solo, or submit yourself to the, at times fun, at times frustrating multi-player, New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a thoroughly worth while experience. Nintendo hasn't fiddled with their successful 2D platforming formula too much, with gameplay additions limited to tweaks, rather than total revamps. You've still got to run, jump, bounce, glide and swim your way to point A to point B while avoiding environmental obstacles and enemies. This task requires increasingly accurate timing, intricate planning and ninja-like reflexes, as you progress through the games 8 varied worlds. Mario gets 2 new power-ups, the astoundingly useful Penguin Suit, and the just as useful Helicopter Suit. All of Mario's other power-ups and abilities are old favorites. Fire Flowers, Ice Flowers, Starmans and more, make a comeback, as well as the lovable and extremely useful Yoshi, who makes a disappointingly brief appearance in a few levels. You'll need to dig deep and mine whatever experience you have with previous Mario offerings, as New Super Mario Bros. Wii is by far the most challenging game in the series for many years, and certainly more so than New Super Mario Bros. on the DS or Super Mario Galaxy. It starts off easy enough, but by the start of the second world, things get noticeably more difficult, and it doesn't let up as you make it through the games firey eighth world and the particularly epic Bowser boss battle.