This it what we've been waiting for--a 2D side-scrolling Mario game on a home console that can be fun for everyone.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii's gameplay, for the most part, has not been changed from its classic predecessors. The basic rules remain the same. The objective is to get from the start of the level to the flagpole (preferably the top part). If you fall from a ledge, you die. If you run into and enemy or jump on a spiny enemy, you lose power-ups or die if you have no power-ups. The concept is really simple, but there is a lot more depth to it then that.
The overworld maps with a theme for each one come back having you move to each stage and pressing "2" to play. There are mushroom houses on certain parts of the map that have you playing a mini-game to obtain items to put in your inventory or receive 1-up mushrooms. Every world will have a mid-castle and a final castle, where you will be fighting Bowser's henchman/kids called the koopalings in Worlds 1 to World 7 like in Super Mario Bros. 3. In some worlds, there are airship levels, also like Super Mario Bros. 3.
As in all of the Mario 2D games, there are power-ups. They all have special uses to make stages easier or even to make it possible to obtain secrets. The classic super mushroom, fire flower, and starman return. The mini mushroom, which has returned from New Super Mario Bros. on the DS, turns you into a very tiny Mario. This will help you crawl into small pipes, run on water, and jump high and floaty. The ice flower (as seen in Super Mario Galaxy) allows you to freeze enemies with ice balls. When frozen, the smaller enemies can be picked up and thrown to kill other enemies or be used as platforms to reach higher levels. The new penguin suit has the same freezing ability as the ice flower, but it can also be used to swim faster and belly slide on the surface of ice and water. The new propeller suit (may personal favorite) allows you jump much higher and either slowly descend or quickly spin down. Yoshi, Mario's dinosaur pal, is used to pick up and swallow or spit out enemies. He can also flutter like in Yoshi's Island to reach higher platforms. Unfortunately, he can only be used in certain levels; you cannot take him to the next level like in Super Mario World.
The difficulty is probably even with Super Mario World, in my opinion, which makes for a good challenge for veterans compared to New Super Mario Bros. on the DS. The Super Guide helps out beginners on levels that they are having trouble with. It is only optional and only becomes an option after 8 deaths in a row. With practice, anyone can beat the game.
Controls: 8.5/10
The controls are fairly simple. Hold the Wiimote sideways. "2" is jump. "1" is run. The D-Pad is for the direction of movement and motion controls play a part in some ways. Holding "1" while shaking the Wiimote will allow you pick up frozen enemies and throw them. Shaking the Wiimote in the air will make you twist giving you extra length on your jump. I would advise not shaking while on the ground; it has caused a few deaths for me. Turning the Wiimote in some levels will be used to manipulate platforms, shine light beams, etc. This can sometimes be a little unresponsive, but it works for the most part. The propeller suit is used by shaking the Wiimote to soar high. Classic controller support would have been a nice option, but because of the motion controls it was left out.
Visuals/Graphics and Audio/Music: 8.5/10
Nintendo certainly did not do anything spectacular with the graphics or music like Super Mario Galaxy, but they did a great job anyway. The visuals fit each theme well and look much better than those of New Super Mario Bros. on the DS. The sounds from New Super Mario Bros. on the DS return with the coin collecting sound, the "Wahoos" from Mario himself, etc. The music in New Super Mario Bros. Wii is as fantastic as Super Mario Galaxy's, but there are great themes from the levels and overworlds that will make you whistle while you play.
Multiplayer: 9.5/10
The most significant addition to New Super Mario Bros. Wii is its multiplayer. Sure online play would have been nice, but this is really a game that should be played in person. The playable characters are Mario, Luigi, a yellow toad, and a blue toad. Nintendo could have been more creative with the two toads, but it really does not matter which character you're playing with. As long as someone is still alive on the screen at once, you can still complete a stage.
When playing cooperatively or competitively, there will be a lot of laughter, a lot of "Stop jumping on my head!", and a lot of "Sorry". Playing with others in the story mode will take much longer to complete than by yourself. When playing cooperatively, the more skilled player has to lift up another to take him/her past a difficult section. Playing cooperatively is the best way to help a newcomer get better. My sister had trouble with the first level before we played together! Playing competitively can get really hectic, especially when playing with four players. You often don't complete a stage when playing competitively, but that certainly does not mean that it is not fun.What I have learned is that dying in multiplayer is a lot less frustrating and a lot more humorous than dying in single player.
Creativity and Personality: 10/10
People say that New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the same game that has been released to us over and over again by Nintendo. I am here to tell you that the statement is false. The concepts are the same, but on the inside New Super Mario Bros. Wii is one of the most unique game in the series. Some of the level designs are pure genius! World 7 is my personal favorite. The new suits are very cool, and the multiplayer is fun for anybody.
All Mario games are jam-packed with personality. Everything in them portrays some kind of personality. The power-ups, the music, the enemies, and the visuals all portray the (mostly) cheery personality that all Mario games have. Even without dialogue, Mario, Luigi, the toads, Princess Peach, Bowser, and the koopalings all express clear characteristics through their noises, actions, and physical appearances.
Overall: 9.0/10
New Super Mario Bros. Wii is simply a must-have for your Wii. It is one of the best 2D side-scrolling platformers available, and you should consider buying it if you're looking for a great way to spend time with friends or for a great challenge. We hope that Nintendo will continue developing games like this in the future.