Super Mario VS NWo Review: A Promising Crossover Hampered by Technical Woes
Super Mario VS NWo presents an intriguing concept that immediately captures attention - blending Mario's iconic platforming with a crossover roster including Sonic and other gaming favorites. Initial impressions suggest a game bursting with potential, offering nostalgic character selection and lighthearted mini-game challenges. However, this colorful package comes wrapped in frustrating technical limitations that significantly undermine the experience. The core appeal of playing as beloved characters across gaming history battles against persistent bugs and underdeveloped mechanics, creating a divisive experience that leaves players torn between enjoyment and frustration.
The character selection stands as the game's undeniable highlight, delivering on its crossover promise with genuine charm. Being able to switch between Mario, Sonic, Luigi, and other familiar faces provides immediate enjoyment, especially for younger players drawn to these iconic personalities. The visual presentation captures the essence of each character's world with bright, appealing aesthetics that create strong first impressions. Mini-games focused on collecting rings and stars offer simple, accessible objectives that align well with the family-friendly approach.
The fun is that you can choose to play as Sonic or Mario or Luigi and the other game characters and play a Mario like platform.
BaffDiddy
Unfortunately, this initial charm quickly fades as technical shortcomings dominate the experience. Physics feel inconsistent and unpolished, with character movement lacking the precision expected from platforming titles. The "sticky" controls mentioned by players create frustration during precise jumps and maneuvers, undermining the core platforming mechanics. Most concerning are the persistent bugs that frequently disrupt gameplay - from collision detection issues to progression-halting glitches. These problems are particularly damaging for the younger audience the game seems to target, as noted by one player who observed that "bugs make it too complicated for most younger kids."
Beyond technical issues, the gameplay structure shows unrealized potential. While mini-games provide momentary entertainment, they lack depth and variety to sustain interest beyond short sessions. The transition between platforming and mini-games feels disjointed rather than seamlessly integrated. This lack of cohesion contributes to the sentiment that the game "was fun for a bit and then sucked a lot" - a pattern mentioned by multiple players who experienced diminishing returns after initial enjoyment. Without substantial post-launch support to address these concerns, the game struggles to fulfill its promising premise.
The gameplay leaves a lot to be desired. I don't think enough time has been spent on the physics and there are far too many bugs in my opinion.
Rekall
Verdict
Promising crossover ruined by technical shortcomings
