Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Encyclopedia
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a Game Boy Advance
spiritual sequel to the first Donkey Kong
game for Game Boy
. The game concept revolves around a combination of platform and puzzle elements, challenging Mario
to find keys, reach a locked door, and rescue mini-Marios. This game revives Mario and Donkey Kong's old rivalry. The game's sequel, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
, is on the Nintendo DS
. This is the seventh Mario
game for the Game Boy Advance
.
The game is an evolution of Donkey Kong Plus, a title on display at E3 2002. During the show, Plus had a feature that allowed players to design and save their own levels on the GameCube
, then copy them across to the Game Boy Advance
using a link cable
. It was essentially an updated version of Donkey Kong '94
, but the game had disappeared by the following year. It was replaced with the pre-rendered graphics and gameplay additions of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. The Create-a-Level feature was removed from this version (but appears in its sequel
.)
The game is one of the few Mario games developed in the US. In international releases of the game, a special effect is added to the timer when Mario goes through and comes out the door.
It is a little known fact that this game has a hidden e-Reader support. Nintendo of Japan had a competition where 1,000 people won cards. However, there is space for twelve levels, and there were only five cards released. They are considered to be among the rarest of e-Cards.
to give chase. The game plays similarly to the Game Boy
Donkey Kong
game, giving Mario the ability to perform handstands and backflips. There are several different environments, ranging from a lava environment to the classic construction site, and there are five different types; in the first, and most common, Mario has to pick up a key
and take it to the locked door. At the second part of the level, Mario had to pick up a Toy Mario at the end of the level. The second type is where Mario must guide the Mini Mario toys to the Toy Box, and protecting them from dangerous environments. The third type is the boss level, where Mario must fight Donkey Kong in order to proceed to the next world. The fourth type is the Master Boss, where Mario must throw barrels at Donkey Kong. The Plus game, which is a repeat of the Main game, is unlocked. In this mode, the story continues from the main game, where Donkey Kong obtains a new batch of Mini-Marios, but with their containers broken because Donkey Kong fell from the roof, into the truck. In each plus level, Mario must activate a Mini-Mario in the level, which is holding a key, and take it to the door. The fifth type of level is the Expert levels. In this mode, Mario must get the key and lead it to the door in a very hard level. Getting through the door beats the level in Plus and Expert modes, rather than sending Mario to a 2nd part.
said it does a good job "both on its own and as a tribute to Mario's legacy". IGN
praised the gameplay, calling it an evolution of the classic original style of Donkey Kong with "new levels and challenges that fit the handheld platform wonderfully." Complaints center around a lack of content, the untraditional art style and Mario's voice being heard too much throughout the game.
, to whom will participate in an upcoming Ambassador program after Nintendo officially issues a price-cut to the Nintendo 3DS starting August 11, 2011. This offer is available in all territories, and only to those who became eligible in the Ambassador program (by accessing the Nintendo eShop
before the date of the price-cut). Nintendo currently has no plans to release this game, or any other Game Boy Advance game, to the general public in paid form.
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
spiritual sequel to the first Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong (Game Boy)
is a platform game developed in 1994 by Nintendo for the Game Boy handheld video game system, which also contains puzzle elements. Donkey Kong is loosely based on the 1981 arcade game of the same name and its sequel Donkey Kong Jr. The game was known under the working title Donkey Kong '94 before...
game for Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
. The game concept revolves around a combination of platform and puzzle elements, challenging Mario
Mario
is a fictional character in his video game series, created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Serving as Nintendo's mascot and the main protagonist of the series, Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his creation...
to find keys, reach a locked door, and rescue mini-Marios. This game revives Mario and Donkey Kong's old rivalry. The game's sequel, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis is the sequel to the Game Boy Advance game Mario vs. Donkey Kong, a follow up to the Game Boy Donkey Kong game, though it is more puzzle-oriented, now that the player controls several Mini Marios with the touch screen instead of Mario himself...
, is on the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
. This is the seventh Mario
Mario
is a fictional character in his video game series, created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Serving as Nintendo's mascot and the main protagonist of the series, Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his creation...
game for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
.
The game is an evolution of Donkey Kong Plus, a title on display at E3 2002. During the show, Plus had a feature that allowed players to design and save their own levels on the GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
, then copy them across to the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
using a link cable
Nintendo GameCube-Game Boy Advance cable
The Nintendo GameCube–Game Boy Advance cable is a cable used to connect the Nintendo GameCube and the Game Boy Advance . Small games can be downloaded into the GBA, the GBA may be used as an extra screen to supplement gameplay, or the GBA can be a separate controller...
. It was essentially an updated version of Donkey Kong '94
Donkey Kong (Game Boy)
is a platform game developed in 1994 by Nintendo for the Game Boy handheld video game system, which also contains puzzle elements. Donkey Kong is loosely based on the 1981 arcade game of the same name and its sequel Donkey Kong Jr. The game was known under the working title Donkey Kong '94 before...
, but the game had disappeared by the following year. It was replaced with the pre-rendered graphics and gameplay additions of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. The Create-a-Level feature was removed from this version (but appears in its sequel
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis is the sequel to the Game Boy Advance game Mario vs. Donkey Kong, a follow up to the Game Boy Donkey Kong game, though it is more puzzle-oriented, now that the player controls several Mini Marios with the touch screen instead of Mario himself...
.)
The game is one of the few Mario games developed in the US. In international releases of the game, a special effect is added to the timer when Mario goes through and comes out the door.
It is a little known fact that this game has a hidden e-Reader support. Nintendo of Japan had a competition where 1,000 people won cards. However, there is space for twelve levels, and there were only five cards released. They are considered to be among the rarest of e-Cards.
Gameplay
Donkey Kong, sitting in his banana-filled home, sees a television commercial for Mini-Mario toys. The ape is instantly smitten with them, but when he goes out to get one, he finds all the stores are out. So he raids the toy factory and steals several dozens of them, forcing MarioMario
is a fictional character in his video game series, created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Serving as Nintendo's mascot and the main protagonist of the series, Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his creation...
to give chase. The game plays similarly to the Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong (Game Boy)
is a platform game developed in 1994 by Nintendo for the Game Boy handheld video game system, which also contains puzzle elements. Donkey Kong is loosely based on the 1981 arcade game of the same name and its sequel Donkey Kong Jr. The game was known under the working title Donkey Kong '94 before...
game, giving Mario the ability to perform handstands and backflips. There are several different environments, ranging from a lava environment to the classic construction site, and there are five different types; in the first, and most common, Mario has to pick up a key
Key (lock)
A key is an instrument that is used to operate a lock. A typical key consists of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. The blade is usually intended to...
and take it to the locked door. At the second part of the level, Mario had to pick up a Toy Mario at the end of the level. The second type is where Mario must guide the Mini Mario toys to the Toy Box, and protecting them from dangerous environments. The third type is the boss level, where Mario must fight Donkey Kong in order to proceed to the next world. The fourth type is the Master Boss, where Mario must throw barrels at Donkey Kong. The Plus game, which is a repeat of the Main game, is unlocked. In this mode, the story continues from the main game, where Donkey Kong obtains a new batch of Mini-Marios, but with their containers broken because Donkey Kong fell from the roof, into the truck. In each plus level, Mario must activate a Mini-Mario in the level, which is holding a key, and take it to the door. The fifth type of level is the Expert levels. In this mode, Mario must get the key and lead it to the door in a very hard level. Getting through the door beats the level in Plus and Expert modes, rather than sending Mario to a 2nd part.
Reception
The game was generally well-received by critics. GameSpotGameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
said it does a good job "both on its own and as a tribute to Mario's legacy". IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
praised the gameplay, calling it an evolution of the classic original style of Donkey Kong with "new levels and challenges that fit the handheld platform wonderfully." Complaints center around a lack of content, the untraditional art style and Mario's voice being heard too much throughout the game.
Limited re-release
On July 28, 2011, Nintendo announced that Mario vs. Donkey Kong, as well as nine other Game Boy Advance games, will be available to limited Nintendo 3DS owners, via Virtual ConsoleVirtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
, to whom will participate in an upcoming Ambassador program after Nintendo officially issues a price-cut to the Nintendo 3DS starting August 11, 2011. This offer is available in all territories, and only to those who became eligible in the Ambassador program (by accessing the Nintendo eShop
Nintendo eShop
The Nintendo eShop is an online service for the Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming system. Launched on June 6, 2011 in North America and June 7, 2011 in Europe and Japan, the eShop was enabled by the release of a system update that added the functionality to the 3DS' Home Menu...
before the date of the price-cut). Nintendo currently has no plans to release this game, or any other Game Boy Advance game, to the general public in paid form.
External links
- Mini Mario Toy Papercraft at IRP Papercraft