New Super Mario Bros Wii

The success of New Super Mario Bros on DS proved that, as much as gamers cry out for new experiences and better advances in their titles, millions are still happy to revisit their roots and enjoy a slightly more nostalgic offering.

With that in mind, the stage is set for the sequel to improve on its predecessor’s performance. New Super Mario Bros Wii brings 2D platforming back to Nintendo’s home consoles, with the portly plumber and his ilk off on a brand new block-jumping, Goomba-stomping adventure.

Princess Peach has (surprise, surprise) been kidnapped again by the incorrigible Bowser and Mario is once again tasked with bringing her back. But this time, he isn’t alone. Luigi and two anonymous Toads are along for the ride, making a roster of four playable characters that lends itself perfectly to the new multiplayer mode.

Nintendo’s hopes are particularly high for NSMB Wii. Not only is it the first Mario platformer to allow four people to play simultaneously, it also ticks all the boxes for a sure-fire hit on Wii. The game appeals to loyal Nintendo followers, challenges fans of more retro-style platform games, and is accessible to everyone from children to grandparents.

“This is a triple-A Mario launch, and we hope it will perform strongly, and surprise and delight Wii owners this Christmas – and then into 2010 and beyond,” says senior product manager Rob Lowe. “It’s a pretty busy month in terms of releases but we hope that the quality of the title and the strength of the Mario brand will shine through.”

New Super Mario Bros Wii provides gamers with exactly what they would expect from a Mario game. Players traverse vibrant but challenging levels, tackling obstacles and enemies that will be familiar to anyone who enjoyed the Super Mario Bros titles of the NES and SNES eras.

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While the game can be enjoyed as a single-player experience, NSMB Wii comes into its own with up to four players. The dynamic evolves beyond typical platforming thanks to a blend of co-operation and competition that allows gamers to help or hinder each other – something Nintendo believes will be key to the title’s success.

“The four-player mode is definitely key,” explains Lowe. “I’m sure anyone who played the E3 version knows how much fun it is jumping on other players’ heads, competing for points and racing until the end of the level. It’s like a cross between Super Mario World and Mario Kart. Doesn’t that sound amazing?”

Players can pick each other up to help them overcome dangers, or simply toss them into harm’s way. They can compete to collect coins and even fight over who gets to ride Yoshi. There is even a range of new power-ups to scuffle over, with the likes of the propeller suit, blue ice flower and penguin suit granting players access to new areas.

New Super Mario Bros Wii has been well-received across the board since its unveiling at E3 this year. The game has met with critical praise among the press and even impressed the team at Nintendo UK, so stands well to bring just as much joy to the gaming public this Christmas.

“We’ve just got the game into the office and it’s even better than we hoped it would be – in fact, the Official Nintendo Magazine has given it 96 per cent,” Lowe says.
“It’s a game that’s been designed with real Mario fans in mind, whilst the multiplayer mode opens it up to the broader Wii audience.

“We think it could be a contender from Christmas No.1, and will certainly be around the top of the charts this festive period.”

PLUMBER'S ESTIMATES

Nintendo has prepared an extensive marketing campaign for New Super Mario Bros Wii, with plans setting this up as “the biggest Mario launch we’ve done on Wii yet”, according to senior product manager Rob Lowe.

In addition to appearing as part of the Nintendo House Sampling Tour, the game will have a dedicated TV campaign, starting with 10-second teaser ads in the two weeks leading up to the release day.

This will be expanded in November and December with additional ads that feature both CGI Mario animation and footage of genuine Mario fans trying out NSMB Wii for the first time.

The TV campaign will mainly be aimed at families, while children will be targeted with a huge takeover of kids’ media on the game’s launch weekend. This will include ads on children’s TV channels, site takeovers on key gaming and kids’ websites, and cover-wraps and gatefolds on all major kids’ magazines.