 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: The March of the Minis
- Nintendo DS
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Puzzle
Common Sense Media says
Mario comes through with a puzzler for everyone.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a challenging puzzle game that can create a high level of frustration in children under age 8. This is a good game to play with your kids, offering suggestions if they get stuck. Since these puzzles are very hard to complete, parents should be impressed with kids who make it through any part of them. Because the game offers a Construction Mode, this is an excellent feature for families to use together -- parents and kids can trade custom-made levels!
What's it about?
Mario's latest adventure casts him into the role of master toymaker, inventing cute clockwork Mario robots as well as versions of other Mushroom Kingdom denizens. The toy line is so successful that he opens an amusement park to showcase his minis that attracts a bunch of familiar characters, including Donkey Kong and Pauline (the long-forgotten femme fatale from the first Donkey Kong game). Donkey Kong takes a monkey-shine to Pauline and, true to his nature, promptly captures her, smashes up the park, and hides himself in the factory. Mario comes to the rescue, with the help of scores of wind-up alter-egos.
MARIO VS. DONKEY KONG 2: MARCH OF THE MINIS offers nine themed worlds (each with nine levels), a bunch of clever Mini games, and a showdown boss level against the wily monkey himself. Tap a mini-Mario to get him moving, make him stop, or get him to jump. Each level has obstacles, enemies, pits, traps, and more, and getting the minis safely to the door on the other end of the screen is the goal. You'll do plenty of timing and tapping with the stylus to get them to stop at the edge of a pit, or enter an elevator at just the right time.
Is it any good?
There's a lot of game here, but players need to realize that this is not a sequel to spring's excellent New Super Mario Bros. This is a clever puzzler much like the fan-favorite PC legend Lemmings. The game is simple and addictive.
The game's powerful Construction Mode lets players use the stylus to build their own custom levels and challenges. Even better, these can be traded via Wi-Fi. This is good, clean, challenging fun for puzzle fans and Mario fans alike. There's nothing "mini" about the gameplay here.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about strategies for solving the puzzles. Sometimes it's best to look at solving a puzzle from a different perspective instead of doing the same thing over and over again. Families might also discuss the different kinds of puzzles that can be created using the Construction option. Since Donkey Kong has a bad habit of nabbing damsels, families could talk about why the "rescuing the princess" theme is so popular in fairy tales and in some video games. How do girls feel about having to be rescued? How does anyone feel about needing to be rescued? How does it feel to be the hero?
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AGE
Tiring after one or two levels. Extremely boring and way too easy.
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AGE
Heroes uses their thinking caps to save the day.
Mario vs Donkey Kong 2: The March of the Minis is a challenging game that kids can enjoy.
The educational value: Kids think their way through challenging levels that will test their logical thinking. You can't go into the challenges blindly.
The role models: Mario is a creative hero who must use his minis to out smart Donkey Kong and rescue Paulene. He makes toys and thinks ahead.
Consumerism triggers: Mario and Donkey Kong appear yet again. Considering how many games the two appeared in, that could cause kids to have the gimmies.
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AGE
Great game!
Great game for all ages although under age 8 it may be a bit too complex but not for any other reason. Lots of fun!
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AGE
A fantastic logic puzzle
This is a wonderful logic puzzle I initially bought for myself, but my 9 year old plays it much more than I did.
The goal of the game is to get robotic *toy* mario's to follow a path you create to get them to the next level. It requires thinking ahead logically and having quick reflexes.
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AGE
aubree
These six teens are brillint when it comes to useing there brains for dance steps and moves.I like all of them the way just like family.
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AGE
Birilliant!
This is a great puzzle game for anyone (as long as they can understand it)! It will put your mind to the test, with no iffy content! But be aware that this doesn't have all the action of the first MVDK. It's much more of a puzzler. Ages 6 and up.
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | November 7, 2006 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E |
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