Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis review

Still fighting over girls after all these years, Mario and Donkey Kong reignite their old feud once again in Mario vs Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. The story begins with the opening of Mario’s new theme park, inspired by a series of toys Mario has created, which include wind-up versions of himself, Donkey Kong, and other familiar characters. The lovely Pauline (of earlier Donkey Kong fame) is the ceremony’s guest of honor. When Pauline chooses the Mario toy over the DK toy, gazing longingly at the little wind-up plumber, Kong’s old jealousy takes over. He swiftly snatches away Pauline, daring Mario to come after him.

In Mario’s previous adventures he never hesitated to risk his own safety on the front lines of battle to rescue the girl, but this time Mario sends his armies of mechanical minions into harm’s way instead. (Maybe it’s not in his contract anymore?)

The main game consists of 8 worlds, each with 9 short levels. In each level, you start out with several mini Marios (anywhere from 2 to 6 of them). Using only the stylus, you must create a safe route across the level for the minis to traverse, reaching the door to safety. The puzzles start off easy, but quickly become harder as new elements are added. Each world introduces new ways to thwart the minis from reaching their goal: you must move blocks, hit switches, burn logs, turn water valves, and get past mechanical Kongs to get through each level. Face Kong himself in a boss battle at the end of each world, only to have him scurry away again to meet you again at the next world's boss battle.