Mario is stagnating at a high level

Since it is so, the 2nd Mario platformer for Nintendo's 3D handheld. This time it is a sidescroller, and thus we are dealing with pure 2D gameplay. Meanwhile, the Mario franchise is well represented on the 3DS - we can bounce with Mario in 2 games through colorful worlds, go with him karting, tennis and end of the year or early 2013 Mario returns as "Paper Mario" and his brother Luigi in "Dark Moon" back. That's a wide range of products and you could almost think Nintendo only knows the Mario franchise. Suffers from this Mario boom the quality of the games? As it stands at "New Super Mario Bros. 2" (NSMB2), we learn in the following.

Graphics: 12/15 pts.
The graphics are all in a very round, clean and solid. In direct comparison to "New Super Mario Bros." (DS), the game looks first not much different, but textures are higher resolution, smoother animations and more details and an improved engine to the upside. In direct comparison to "Super Mario 3D Land" (3DS) NSMB2 must admit defeat, however. Not only is this (actually yes logically, since this is a 2D game is) in terms of the 3D effect to be mentioned, but also the effects and environments are not quite as good as other 3DS titles. As I said animations and effects are better than the DS predecessor in NSMB2, but they do not reach the quality of the franchise competitors on the 3DS. The 3D effect is more subtle and limited mainly to a easy to make three-dimensional character models protrude from the screen, continue to move the background to the back (which is a nice depth arises) and sporadically animations and effects, such as power-up items look more natural to leave. But the overall package of the graphic NSMB2 none If bad. On the contrary: It comes with a nice and detailed 2D graphics with 3D effects.

Sound: 10/15 pts.
Already "Super Mario 3D Land" could sound technically not quite as convincing as the Wii spin-off "Super Mario Galaxy" or "Super Mario Galaxy 2". NSMB2 must, however, again let a blow like more criticism as "Super Mario 3D Land". Although the sound is as always cheerful and suits the Mario universe, but you'd think that sound designers and composers at Nintendo have lost their creativity. The soundtrack of "New Super Mario Bros.", "New Super Mario Bros. Wii", "NSMB2" and the trailer music of "New Super Mario Bros. U", which is the end of the year will appear on Wii U, sound identical to and just more boring. Ultimately, it is always the same main theme, which was a little different implemented and creative or imaginative is no longer - and above all: I can not slow this theme hear. Would be so bad if the theme would then be played only on the title screen but no. The Theme comes naturally once again in the most varied, hardly other variations in almost all levels of the first worlds before and otherwise you get the familiar sound food at the Ground-, Water- and Bowserleveln served. In the Wii offshoots Nintendo has proven that a good balance between completely new and familiar compositions leads to an excellent soundtrack - Nintendo is doing with the 3DS titles here unbearably heavy and soundscape sounds unfortunately identical to abwechslungsarm and annoying in some cases. Thus, it is sufficient only for a weak well as the sound effects are solid as ever, and the pieces themselves are not bad.

Control: 13/15 pts.
To control there is not much to say. It is virtually identical to the DS-offshoot. Now can also be moved with the Circle Pad instead of the multi-Mario halt what is a little more comfortable in the long run. There is nothing to complain about, the control is almost perfect and is doing what it should, excellent.
What I still do not quite like the fact that the race is constantly the X or Y button must be what I always feel a bit uncomfortable in combination with the jump - here was an optional assignment of the race on the left shoulder button is a nice option that I miss some time. However, this is criticism at a high level.

Gameplay: 11/15 pts.
The gameplay should be known to all. That's why I go to the main game itself is not much one as a the usual worlds, structures and level expected. The level design is very praise, since it is excellent once again. Nevertheless, I would have liked more time new scenes - the Mario Universium stagnating currently too much on usual and puts too much on tradition. As always there are to collect 3 large coins, whose hiding places are sometimes easy and sometimes a bit tricky to reach. Another new feature is the absolute flood coins which appear to lend that certain something this game. So there are new power-ups and items that ensure that everything and anything is really about gold and how else can coins which radiate through the area (where the new engine is well suited for use). Although the whole thing is funny but the coins sound effect comes after a few seconds rough on the nerves. But the whole has actually a stimulus: namely, a high long-term motivation. There are many options to break Coin Records, unlock rewards and compare records with other players around the world. The new "Münzrausch mode" is a sensible and appropriate extension which ensures high long-term motivation and trims on record hunt. Have fun making this mode mainly with the white Raccoon Mario, with which one is invincible.

Bottom line, one expects, however, the usual, very good Mario gameplay which holds the one or other surprise in store. Whether that's good or bad, everyone needs to know for himself. But the fact is that it NSMB2 unusually strong lack of innovations and creativity. The title feels much stronger for a "New Super Mario Bros. 1.5" to as many "Super Mario Galaxy 2" as "Super Mario Galaxy 1.5" felt. And in view of the rapid succession, like the Mario titles appear at the time, this could possibly be because you are not enough developers time to really think up something new. This trend should not continue, because otherwise from Mario eventually a franchise, which comes along with annual, but always relevant looser sequels, which has this franchise not necessary.

Other:
+ Wise use of street and Spot Pass
+ 2 player mode
+ Many surprises and a lot of free games
+ Cache function
- Very few power-ups
- The main game a bit short
- Daffy and not really new bosses

Total: 11 points / pass / 4 stars

New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a good Mario game that uses a lot of tradition and a little something new. Those who mind do not mind, will have fun and spend some happy hours. For Mario veterans, however, the title brings hardly "Aha" moments and maybe even a little boring. For the new Münzrausch ensures mode variety and long-term motivation, but can not hide the fact that we are dealing with a slightly warmed-New Super Mario Bros., which although still good, but nowhere near and to the density of novelties Creativity previous Mario titles is ran.