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Setup & Timing
The setup is very simple and only takes a few steps before you can begin the broadcast. It can broadcast to up to two guests at a time. Just
be warned that the broadcast time only gives you approximately 20 seconds to begin, and then (if it hasn't started), it gives up. You may have to
broadcast a second time if the guest(s) weren't ready the first time.
Menus & Navigation
Once the game is downloaded, the menu is fairly simple. Basically, there's one giant button in the center of the screen for you to tap. Not
much of a choice. There are six levels included, but the demo forces you to go in order. It'd be nice if you could do a particular level repeatedly
until you master it or if you choose to skip a level you're having difficulty with and come back to it later.
Ease Of Use / Play Control
For Mario Vs. Donkey Kong 2: March Of The Minis, this category is truely split into two sections. In the first section, Ease Of Use, the game
gets a 2/5 because of one missing feature that is present in the main game: a "hints" section that gives detailed instructions. An option for
players of the demo to receive help and instructions would help in avoiding frustration. In the second section, Play Control, the game gets a solid
5/5. The setup is solid, the touch screen is well-tuned, and you're actually playing real levels from the game. They also did a great job
of selecting the levels based on difficulty and what you had to manipulate in order to solve them.
Content
The content of Mario Vs. Donkey Kong 2: March Of The Minis is very similar to Lemmings was on the PC. The main difference (beside the
obvious touch-screen manipulation) is that instead of dozens of lemmings, there are 2 to 3 Mini Marios. Obvoiusly, touch-screen manipulation replaces
having several different tribes of lemmings, but the end result is the same. Here, the focus is on saving every Mini Mario, speed, and bonuses. The
look of the game is an excellent mix of 2D and 3D elements. The sound is a bit repetitive, but it's not too bad if you don't have the game on a menu
screen too long. There are no special features or options in the demo, but that's why they call it a demo. Gamelay is smooth and efficient.
Overall Fun
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong 2: March Of The Minis is a game designed to appeal to players of puzzle games, a category I fit into. The game is fun to
play and easy to learn, yet many of the levels are difficult to master. Even once you've achieved gold star status on a level, you can still return to
it to try to beat your previous points total. It's the type of game where something that frustrates and confounds you now might be simple if you leave
and come back to it later on. It's not the type of game you're gonna play for a week uninterupted, and it's not meant to be. It's meant to be a game
that you come back to over and over again, constantly retrying levels. The demo is a good sample, though not perfect, and the main game has many more
challenges and options. I count myself among the many players that stop back and retry levels when I want a good, thought-provoking
challenge.
Include the ability to play any of the demo levels in any order, any time.
Allow for any one level to be sent over Single-Card Download if you can beat it and earn a gold star.
Allow custom levels to be sent via Single-Card Download.
Overall Single-Card Download Rating: 78 / 100 (a.k.a. 39/50)
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