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This is why you don't outsource your intellectual property.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 19
Date: November 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

So... Mario vs Donkey Kong. Nintendo's latest shameless capitalization of a once-venerable series of games. I bit the bullet and started playing this recently, curiosity winning out over the recent experiences with Mario-branded games. Despite such tragedies of game design of the last 10 years like Mario Sunshine and Wario World, I still harbor warm feelings for the Mario games of the late 20th century, forgetting time and again that as their management and lead designers age and stagnate, fun, clever, original games like those are seemingly forever in Nintendo's past.

The game started out alright, an interesting puzzle-focused twist on the main-sequence Super Mario series... they eliminated the venerable stomping-enemies-and-grabbing-power-ups formula, and replaced it entirely with simple logic puzzles in underwhelming levels usually no larger than two screens' worth. You can still jump around, but Mario's jumping range is no higher than about twice his height, which for Mario is absolutely pathetic. He also moves at a constant rate of speed no matter how long he's been running, making nimble jumps practically impossible, and skids randomly when he stops; I found myself constantly plunging into crevasses and falling off cliffs, wondering with utterly genuine surprise and confusion why the character was receiving commands I wasn't inputting. Probably the biggest sin of all, though, is the ludicrously short distance he can fall before pancaking on the ground and whining like a toddler. And if you're falling while holding something, he'll pitch the item across the screen once you've fallen a certain distance, forcing you to retrieve it once he's done feeling sorry for himself.

Also, Mario's got the same voice actor they've been using in Mario games for years, Charles Martinet, who produces an entirely testicle-free whiny broken falsetto soaked in an Italian accent that rings less authentically than a Wichita Godfather's Pizza commercial. After maybe 20 minutes of gameplay, I was nearly in tears, begging the gods of video games to make him shut up... even if you're Mother Teresa, you can only really hear that "Mama Mia!" croon a limited number of times before a primal urge to exterminate mankind kicks in. And god help you if you let the rescued mini-Marios fall off the screen on the Mini Mario levels: until you retrieve all of them, which can sometimes take a while, they'll continuously shriek "Oh, Mario!" every second or so like starving lupine infants, producing a sensation that I can only describe as cannibalistic rage mixed with crippling nausea. One of the biggest letdowns in the game is the inability to pitch these mewling little parasites into an active caldera, forever silencing their demonic little voices.

Donkey Kong himself is probably the strangest part of the game, though. During the opening cinematic, we see DK sitting on his fat simian butt in his house, flipping idly through channels, until he sees a commercial advertising some kind of weird mini Mario dolls. Then, suddenly, hearts appear in DK's eyes. I am not making this up. It appears to anyone with more than one digit in their age that Donkey Kong is either harboring a secret lust for everyone's favorite effeminate plumber, or has a sick fetish for plushie toys. The latter becomes evident as we see DK break into the factory and steal one sack full of mini-Marios, crippling the entire toy doll industry. Apparently in their panic, the ubiquitous, androgenous little toadstool slaves forgot they could just turn the machines back on and... uh, you know.... just, uh, make more. Instead, Mario comes to the rescue and follows DK through six worlds of improbable puzzles, rescuing one mini Mario on every level.

So yeah, yet another failed opportunity to restore the Mario franchise to some mote of its former glory. I'm sure Nintendo won't care as it'll still undoubtedly make them money, but it's yet another shovel working to dig their corporate grave.

BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 10
Date: April 07, 2005
Author: Amazon User

THIS IS THE WORST MARIO GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's to easy to beat and it's boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Don't buy this game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It sucks

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 8
Date: October 03, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game sucks! It has horrible graphics and bad story line!I suggest you don't waste your money on this crapy game, get something a little more interesting and more challenging. The only reason i gave this a rating of 1 star is because I like donkey kong but just not this game.I repeat do not buy it.

Good, but not for everyone

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 10
Date: September 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong (2004.)

Mario and Donkey Kong are, by far, two of Nintendo's most popular characters. The two of them were together in the very first video game Nintendo ever created, and it's not surprising that the two of them have been popping up in games ever since. In 1994, the classic arcade game that started it all was greatly expanded upon with Donkey Kong '94. Although never widely successful, the game did score well with some audiences. And ten years later, Nintendo has released a Game Boy Advance sequel to that game. Read on for my review of Mario Vs. Donkey Kong.

PROS:
-IF YOU LIKED DONKEY KONG '94, YOU'LL LIKE THIS GAME. To put it simply, this game is essentially a revamped version of that game, but don't worry - it's a completely new game.
-THE CONTROLS ARE SIMILAR TO THE OLD ARCADE GAME, BUT HAVE BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED. Mario can now do handstands, pick up and throw enemies, and even throw hammers he has already grabbed so that he can climb ladders. This makes the game all the more interesting.
-IN NEARLY EVERY WAY, THE GAME IMPROVES ON ITS PREDECESSOR. There were many good things about the earlier game, and this game takes nearly all of those things and makes them better!

CONS:
-THE GAME JUST ISN'T FOR EVERYONE. Let's face the facts, not everyone liked Donkey Kong '94. If you did like it, you'll like this game. If not, you almost certainly won't.
-THE STORYLINE IS TERRIBLE. Of course, this little flaw was to be expected - Mario games have never been known for having a good storyline.
-THE CONTROL IS MODELED AFTER THE ARCADE CLASSIC, NOT THE SUPER MARIO SERIES. This means that unless you played the previous game, the controls are probably going to confuse you badly.
-REPLAY VALUE IS LIMITED. Essentially, this game will stay satisfying for a while, but it's not going to keep you happy forever. Accordingly, I recommend renting it or downloading the rom as opposed to buying it.

OVERALL:
Overall this is a good entry in the Mario catalogue, but it's nothing revolutionary. If you liked Donkey Kong '94, you're going to like this. If not, you should probably steer clear. Also, to all you parents of video game players, who are doing birthday or holiday shopping - Your child(ren) probably won't like this game, since more likely than not they haven't played the arcade classic or Donkey Kong '94. Despite its Everyone rating from the ESRB, this is really a game that caters to a specific crowd. Final verdict? Good but not great.

Mario and DK? Again? Why am I not surprised ...

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: October 19, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is great for people who have never really played the first Mario vs DK on Game Boy. Every level has something new to watch out for, and take less than about 2 minutes to beat. There are 6 worlds, and about 7 levels for each world, and one last level to face off with DK.

In the first day, you will have beaten the first 4-5 worlds. In the second day, you will struggle to beat the 6th, and whatever else is after that. In the third, you will go all the way back and try to get the highest score for every level. You get the idea: this is an easy game. However, I find the replay value to be a little high because it's just plain fun to do all of these aerobic jumping exercises with an overweight plumber! The game in itself is so cute! Watch Mario chase after Donkey Kong saying, "Come back here, you silly monkey!" It's just hilarious. Some of the levels can get just a little frustrating. But look, I'm 17. I don't throw my GBA against a wall. Your child might, however.

Overall, it is a great game.
If you're 17, rent it first (I bought it, but I don't care). If you're anywhere from 6 or 7 to 14 years old, this will be a great game for you. The game might be too easy for us old geezers afterall ...

It was nice... I guess

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 19, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a nice game, nothing really special. I've played better Mario games in the past. The game play was okay and the game itself gets boring after a while. I don't own the game myself (I've only played it from my older brother). But, I wouldn't really recommend it if you're really looking for one of those pick up and play games.

An excellent platforming puzzle game with a few flaws

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 18 / 19
Date: June 16, 2004
Author: Amazon User

First and foremost, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is the successor in gameplay to an old original Game Boy title simply called Donkey Kong, often referred to as Donkey Kong '94 to avoid confusion with the original arcade classic. In that excellent game, the object of each level was to acquire a key and make your way to a locked door to proceed to the next level. However, the puzzles were often very devious and required much thought. At the end of each world, you would have to battle Donkey Kong in order to move on to the next world.

Not much has changed since then, since Mario vs. Donkey follows the same basic format with a few twists. The new aspect of each level is that there are actually two parts with two different objectives to each level. In the first half of the level, you have to get the key in order to unlock the door in typical Donkey Kong '94 fashion. You have to manuever around enemies and spike pits to reach your objective, as well as climbing ropes similar to Donkey Kong Jr., using special-colored switches to make platforms appear, and working with conveyor belts. In the second half of each stage, you have to make your way to a Mini-Mario toy (an aspect of the simple and strange storyline). There are also three presents in each level that, if collected, will give you a chance to win extra lives at the end of each level.

The one major problem I have with the game is the controls. For the most part, they are very good, but they can be unresponsive sometimes, leading to unnecessary deaths and frustrated players. The ropes also tend to give me a fit, since you jump off in different ways depending on if you are grasping one or reaching out for another.

The challenge is very good. The first four worlds serve as an introduction, as the game doesn't start getting difficult until the fifth out of six worlds. The first four may lull you into a sense of false security, but when you get to the fifth, you'll start losing lives like crazy. The puzzles often require quite a bit of thinking and strategy. You can't just breeze through this game without a bit of thought and planning.

The game will keep you busy for quite a while. The box says that there are only six worlds, which is a bit misleading. After you finish the six worlds, you will unlock six more worlds with the same themes but different stages. In addition to this, there are many "Expert" levels that you can unlock by aquiring the high score in the normal levels. And believe me, these high scores are often not easy to get.

The graphics in the game are pretty nice, but they look a bit blocky. The backgrounds look great, though. The sound is a bit iffy, though. The music is wonderful and has many hummable themes, but the sound effects, especially Mario's voice, can be a bit grating.

All in all, the game is quite a bit of fun, and would be nearly perfect if the controls didn't have a habit of being unresponsive at key moments. It is a definite must-buy if you are a puzzle fan or have played and liked Donkey Kong '94.

A Fun Puzzle game with a lot to do but little replay

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: June 11, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Donkey Kong vs. Mario is more of a reminder of the Donkey Kong game released on the Gameboy in 1994. Interestingly enough, this combines the best of puzzles with action adventure and that means that the game will not only be fun, but addictive.

Donkey Kong vs. Mario begins with Donkey Kong watching TV and he sees an advertisement for the famous toy that everybody wants. A Mini-Mario. DK decides he wants one but when the toystore is sold out he goes into a rage and decides to steal some instead. Now as Mario you have to go and retrieve all the dolls that Donkey Kong has stolen.

The game presents puzzle mixed with Action/Adventure. It also has six worlds with eight levels each. Each level begins with Mario having to find a key in the first room, and the stolen Mario doll in the next. The first room is a straight out find the key. When you do its much like Super Mario Bros. 2 in which you have to pick up the key. In the next room you've got to dodge obstacles and enemies to get to the Mario doll.

DK vs. Mario has gameplay very similar to Super Mario Bros. 2. In fact, the enemies come from SMB2 and you can pick them up and throw them. That's not all, Mario has lots of moves he can pull off. Not the same old "jumpman" anymore. Now he can do backflips, hang and balance on telephone wires and do headstands. The headstands prevent damage from falling objects. Mario can also hang on vines like in Donkey Kong Jr.

Each world has seven levels. The first six are always straightforward puzzles. But the seventh level of every world Mario has to lead the rescued Mini dolls to a toy chest. This sounds easy but you must protect the dolls. They can be harmed by natural objects and enemies in the levels. In the eighth level you fight DK.

At first the game seems short. Considering the first few worlds are easy and the levels go by very fast. But after you complete the sixth world you unlock six MORE worlds with six levels each. These levels present more of a challenge.

So there is a lot to do in the game but as I said, the game really oes present little replay. Since the game is a puzzle, the puzzles aren't as fun to solve the second time around, especially considering you won't have to think becuase you already know.

The graphics are actually beautiful and look astonishing. Sometimes they look a little blocky but they're a reminder of the graphics on the GBA version of Donkey Kong Country, only more crisp and clear.

The sound is very good. Great tunes for the levels. But as with a lot of Mario games on the GBA you'll probably get tired of Mario screaming, grunting, groaning and all that stuff. In fact, Mario's voice is more annoying than usual in this game. At least the music in the levels will eventually drown out Mario's voice. It's too bad that you can't turn it off.

Overall Donkey Kong vs. Mario is a remarkably fun game. The puzzles are fun and addictive. What the game lacks in replayability more than makes up for the amount of time you'll spend on it.

Side Scrolling Puzzle game, quick game, little replay value

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 11
Date: May 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is a side scrolling puzzle game, six worlds, eight levels in each. You play Mario, and Donkey Kong has stolen wind up Mario doll toys from a toy factory. Yes, this is seriously the plot! As Mario, you start a level, and you are able to jump (A button), when on top of objects, you can lift them over your head (B button), and you can perform advanced tricks, like pressing left, right and the A button to perform a high jump. The eight levels each have two parts to them, the first part, Mario must get the key to a door, then get it back to the door, if he throws the key (which sometimes you need to), Mario will have 12 seconds to get the key again and pick it up, or else it will disappear and return to where the key was originally. Then the second part is just to get to the wind up Mario doll and pick it up. It is a puzzle game, because in each level, there are red, yellow and blue switches, where if you hit a red switch, it makes red platforms and ladders appear, and the colored platforms and ladders disappear. After the first world it gets more tricky with vines and cables for Mario to climb, then in later levels there are conveyer belts with switches to reverse them. Timing is also important, such as in some levels you must throw a key onto a conveyer belt, and hit a switch to reverse the conveyer belt, then race to hit a switch to enable a yellow colored platform before the key drops off the belt into something that could destroy the key. There are also enemies that are strategically placed, along with ways to get around them or make them disappear. The levels are not big, only four screens large, but the levels don't need to be large, from how clever Nintendo has made the puzzles. Each world has a theme to it, the first level is the toy factory theme, second is a forest theme, third is a lava palace and three other themes. The first six levels of each world are strictly to get a key and get a Mario doll in each of them. Then the seventh level of each world is where Mario must lead the six wind-up Mario dolls through the level, if one of the dolls don't make it to the end of the level, that will effect the eighth level. The eight level of each world is a battle with Donkey Kong. For each level you have to do something different to beat the bad monkey, while Donkey Kong stands in one place and does something to defend himself, usually by throwing things at Mario. However many of the six dolls that made it through the seventh level will be how much energy Mario has when he faces Donkey Kong, so if three wind-up Mario dolls get destroyed in the seventh level, Mario can be hit three times in his battle with Donkey Kong at the end of each world. At the start of each level, it shows you how to perform a new trick or a hint to get you past something. This is a generalized hint, nothing specific, with a little animation showing you how to do the trick. While this is a good puzzle game, most of it is easy, but unfortunately there is not much replay value in the game. Each level has three "gifts" to collect as something that adds to the replay value. Good game, great music for GBA, simple controls, but once you have completed the game, that's it.

A good puzzle game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: June 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is fun,although I am only just now starting the 3rd level. I do like puzzle games. This isnt like the Super Mario games in the past which I truly like alot. I suppose you have to enjoy solving puzzles to like this game.

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