Parents' Guide to

New Super Mario Bros.

By Jinny Gudmundsen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

New Super Mario will woo old and new fans.

Game Nintendo DS 2006
New Super Mario Bros. Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 11 parent reviews

William Afton vthe real deal
William Afton vthe real deal Adult
October 31, 2020
age 13+

mairo

oh no h ewas being rude goining on goomba ans killing shy guy dont like you kuis play is
Holly R.
Holly R. Parent of 1-year-old
March 18, 2019
age 10+

Not challenging and Bowser melts in the lava...

This game is too easy and when you defeat Bowser and he falls in the lava pit he melts into skeletal remains that writhe as he dies which is very graphically depicted for a regular DS game. I remember years ago it gave my younger cousin who was about 5 at the time nightmares about skeletons and dying in lava. It's not like the original NES game because it leaves nothing to the imagination. The game should have at least gotten an E-10 rating for ages 10 and up because of the violent images... Did I mention how easy it is too?

This title has:

Easy to play/use
Too much violence
See all 11 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Mario, the world-famous Italian plumber who put Nintendo on the video gaming map, is back in mega-sized glory with NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. for the Nintendo DS. There are three main play areas: the single-player game, Mini games (single or up to four players) and a two-person wireless Mario vs. Luigi hunt-for-stars race. In the single-player games, as in previous versions, Princess Peach, the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, has been kidnapped, and it's up to Mario to rescue her. Players run through grassy terrains, over tropical islands, inside volcanoes, on top of mountains, and much more, defeating a host of familiar bad guys, including Spinies, Koopas, Goombas, Hammer Brothers, Bowser Jr., and Bowser along the way.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11):
Kids say (62):

This newest version pays homage to its roots but extends the license in new, exciting ways. Our kid testers, both seasoned players and those new to the license, loved it. The game offers a variety of modes, a range of environments, and plenty of secrets to unlock.

Teen testers enjoyed the retro feel of the game and reveled in the unique play elements. New to this handheld version is a Mega Mushroom that makes Mario grow so big that he barely fits on the screen, and a Mini Mushroom that makes Mario so tiny and light that he can fit through pipes, walk on water, and do floating jumps. Players also liked exploring Mario's ability to jump off walls and his super bounce, which allows him to pound the ground from above to attack baddies or break through objects.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the lasting appeal of Mario. What makes him so likable? Why would Nintendo remake this game for a new system? Is it just to introduce a fun game to a new generation, or can you think of other reasons?

Game Details

  • Platform: Nintendo DS
  • Available online?: Not available online
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release date: June 12, 2006
  • Genre: Action/Adventure
  • ESRB rating: E for Comic Mischief
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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