New Super Mario Brothers - Final Play
Yesterday, I gave New Super Mario Brothers another go as I tried to get through the final World 8. My last play rating had me stuck at 8-5. In the weeks that have followed I have made a concerted effort to make sure every few days to pick up my DS Lite, take out Age of Empires, and try to finish out World 8 so that I could write my final play with pride that I have seen “The End”. Well, after many attempts the furthest I have made it is the second tower after 8-8. So I ask myself, “What’s wrong with me? Am I not hardcore?”
Maybe the truth is that I am only hardcore in that I really like playing games, have done so for over 20 years, and have played an awful lot of them in that time. Back in the day, I would pride myself on making a quarter last for a long time while racking up a great score in Gyruss in the arcades. But in my later years my desire to struggle for too long to complete or master a game has faded. Gaming is a mental break, a chance to sit back, have fun, and to let my very active brain rest from the thoughts of the day. So when the break becomes a struggle that I cannot get through, I need to “step away from the vehicle” if you know what I mean. For example, in Ninja Gaiden … I made it to where I was in this huge room where after I defeated this huge dinosaur skeleton I had to climb up stairs while being pounded by these archer creatures. For the life of me I tried to get through that sequence but to no avail. I really enjoyed that game immensely up that point; however I spent countless attempts to make it through that sequence and couldn’t do it. It reached a point where I was not having fun. My hardcoredness had been tapped out
So, am I trying to say that my time with New Super Mario Brothers has reached the point of no fun? Am I hanging in the towel? The answer is a little yes and mostly no. There is something about this game unlike Ninja Gaiden that makes me feel that I should be able to do this. The princess needs me, you know, so I can’t just completely give up on it. Regarding the fun factor, it is still there even though there have been some moments of frustration, too.
Thankfully, Nintendo seems kind enough to allow me to continue my game even after I run out of lives without having to start over. They have also allowed me build up my lives without too much trouble. I’ve found there’s an awful lot to like and enjoy in this iteration of the Mario franchise. Since I’ve picked up a DS Lite, my non-gamer wife and I have spent some time with the multiplayer and really enjoyed it. Please give our multiplayer play-rating a read if you haven’t already. I’ve also had fun going back to the earlier levels to hunt down the large coins that I missed. Remember that you need five coins to unlock the paths to Toad’s house that in turn let you save your progress. I recently opened up this one level where you are in the desert and there are these huge tornados that toss you up into the sky so that you can slowly float down collecting coins and other goodies as you go. Also, in typical Nintendo fashion, they guide you to improve over time. It’s fun going back to old levels that you had trouble with earlier and where you couldn’t find even one of the large coins and that now you can cruise through and collect them all without a hitch. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to say this about some of the levels in World 8. Until then wish me luck, as one day Princess Peach will be saved by me yet again.
One final parting note, is that between Metroid Prime Hunters, New Super Mario Brothers, and Age of Empires: The Age of Kings, I am continually impressed with the amount of game and value that have been added to these little carts. The DS has got some game for this gamer.
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27. July 2006 at 13:24
Yup, there was definitely some tough parts toward the end of NSMB, and a few twists as well. Don’t give up yet! The two bonus worlds are also a hoot (although you might have to look up a FAQ to figure out how to unlock them.) I don’t thinks it’s anywhere close to the difficulty of the original Mario Bros, but it’s definitely right up there with Super Mario World in difficulty.
I’m still giving some of the extra levels an occasional shot (during oblivion loading screens ;) and I’d have to add that those classic Nintendo primary colors really snap out of the DS lite’s improved screen.
28. July 2006 at 08:44
I’m completely with you on all that you said in the second paragraph. Sometimes I look at all my games and think I must be hardcore… but when I play games I don’t play them to completion usually. I get frustrated when I get stuck, and go on to a different game I get more fun out of playing. So I don’t know what that makes me, just thought I’d let you know you’re not alone.
Oh and I first got stuck at that level in world 8 where you have to ride the moving group of blocks… took a good dozen+ tries. I quit having gotten to the final boss about 8 times and coming THIS close to beating bowser… I’m sure I’ll get back to it later.
29. July 2006 at 14:45
Arg, yes those green snake blocks were nasty, especially when they were purposely trying to second guess you.
7. August 2006 at 02:28
Ahhhrrghh, I´m exactly at this point, where the border between total frustration and endless fun is thin as a blade. For me, I´m starting to put the game down after 5 attempts in world 8-8 and not making it to the tower.
So does that mean, I´m gettin all frustrated after just a few tries? Not at all, I´d say. I´m just giving it time, as I did with all challenges in the 8th world. And suddenly I´ll be able to make it in one go - that´s what I hope at least! :-)
*goes to world 8-8 to get his a$$ burned*
8. September 2006 at 14:42
@zorniki - That is exactly what I was doing. Giving it a go and then taking a break before the frustration sets in. Then givning it another go … rinse and repeat.
The good news is I finally made it through to complete the game entirely and immediately started playing again afterwords from the top.
22. September 2006 at 15:37
Someone please tell me how to do level 8 Bowsers Castle. I get half way and then it is just never ending, you just keep walking until you run out of time how do you get to the end?
23. October 2006 at 09:19
i’m at the same point as Katie (the comment before) and it is driving me crazy I have been stuck on the last castle of level 8 for months, i just keep walking and walking till i run out of time! PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
27. October 2006 at 17:10
Hi - over a month now and Iam still stuck at this point - someone put us out of our misery!!!
30. October 2006 at 17:18
Hint: Turn up the volume and see if you notice anything.
30. October 2006 at 18:59
Yea, either that or play the original Super Mario Bros. They used the same puzzle . . . only without the hint.
1. November 2006 at 09:04
actually, they used the hint there as well i believe
3. November 2006 at 06:13
please can someone tell me how to complete level 8-8 i have only been on it about 6weeks and getting nowhere.i’m even dreaming about completing it seriously its doing my head in.i have tried it with the volume right up practically deafning at times and i can hear changes in the background noise but they dont help me at all.please,please help..
5. November 2006 at 13:44
awk Zach plz tell me iv had this game for ages i hear the wee sound at the middle piotn but i dont n want to do when there a eirrie sound plz tell me
26. November 2006 at 00:39
I am in the same boat with world 8 final castle. Are we going through a wrong door? I think i have tried them all and this is my daughters game - how did I get stuck in it?
26. November 2006 at 16:36
I think I once heard of this thing called “the google”. I think it existed on “the internets” and was made for searching for information.
26. November 2006 at 21:44
Ouch.
27. November 2006 at 13:57
Spike plays tough.
27. November 2006 at 16:39
I refuse to post solutions to games in reviews for them.
26. January 2007 at 22:40
PLEEEEEEASE SOMEBODY TELL ME HOW TO GET PASSED WORLD 8, IM AT THE SAME SPOT AS EVERYONE ELSE I HEARD THE LITTLE CHIME AND I TRIED JUMPING RUNNING I HAVE DOVE INTO THE LAVA WHEN I HEAR IT I HIT THE FLOOR AND THE CEILING PLEASE PLEASE
1. February 2007 at 12:10
Please sombody give us all another hint. Its doing my head in!
3. February 2007 at 06:55
hi you go across the top row you will hear a sound go across the middle row you will hear same sound go across bottom same sound again will take you threw
3. February 2007 at 08:28
make sure you have the head that makes you big you jump on the boss man and thats it the end
17. February 2007 at 12:54
this is annoying im on world at on the final castle i have got to the middle part and now im stuck i here the noise but wat nowplz help me PLZ!
17. February 2007 at 12:54
sorry i ment 8
22. February 2007 at 04:09
How the heck do you get to world 4 and 7. I have completed the world 8 but want to see 4 and 7. Help.
25. February 2007 at 13:28
I’m with MIKE i really have no clue how to get to 4 and 7….
28. February 2007 at 14:04
Hi to do level 8 in the castle just run along the top row,then the bottom row and then the middle row and it brings you through a door to kill a big whatever it is,im yet to do that though as I have just got through that never endind running bit,you can run straight across the top floor and you dont fall through the gap with the spikes above…Good luck everyone…jax
28. February 2007 at 14:25
please someone help me now as to how to kill the final creature,do you know how many times you have to hit it and do you have to aim for the little one or the big one…Please help…jax…Hi gracie I hope my reply above this one has helped you get thrugh that never ending level…Remember it is bottom..top then middle then your through the final door…
28. February 2007 at 16:09
I have at long last completed the whole of level 8,I have to just find how to do levels 4 & 7 now…Goodluck everyone but if anyone knows how to get to other 2 missing levels please let me know as I will if I get there 1st :-) xxx
2. March 2007 at 20:40
I have completed the whole game twice and yet to figure out how to get to 4 & 7….. This is driving me crazy
4. March 2007 at 11:03
hi! To beet the bowser castle the first time you press Y and go as fast as you can the second time jump up to the highest platform then jump to the next platform press Y (to go as fast as you can) after that go to not the highest platform but the second highest go on it to the end of it then go forward until you see the door.(to kill both bowsers its best to hane giant mushroom)
any questions e-mail me at ginkothedog@yahoo.ca
4. March 2007 at 11:04
at bowser castle if you hear a check its right
7. March 2007 at 18:01
This info was received from a Nintindo company customer service person.
To get to world #4:
*Defeat Mummy Pokie in world #2 as Mini Mario
OR
*Become Mini Mario and find the Secret Ghost House in world #5
To get to world 7:
*Become Mini Mario and find the Ghost House Secret exit.
OR
* Become Mini Mario in World 5 and defeat Petey Pirana.
To become Mini Mario, pick up a mini mushroom and you will shrink to Micro sized Mini Mario.
GOOD LUCK!
11. March 2007 at 15:42
Who’s Mummy Pokie? Where do you find all of these things like the Ghost House? anyone know?
11. March 2007 at 19:04
how do you beat the last castle as mini mario to get to world 4? you can’t kill anything as mini mario??? i don’t get it!! help!
18. March 2007 at 03:24
Reply to L:
You can kill with Mini mario, when you jump on them, you jump and press/hold the down button and you will hit the enemy hard. You can do it.
25. March 2007 at 17:31
THANK YOU !! BEAT THE WHOLE GAME ! was stuck on world 8 with both bowsers .. but CAN NOT beat the MUMMIE at the castle end in world 2 .. DRIVING ME NUTS !! AGAIN!! and the ghost house .. well i cant even find coins there LMAO!
25. March 2007 at 23:40
OMG I DID IT I DID IT !!! BEAT THEE ENTIRE GAME !!! 4 & 7 levels also ..
thank You so much .. for the tips on being mini to beat them an open them .. my 6 yr old was BEOND THRILLED that mommy did it for her XO
30. March 2007 at 09:53
yay i figured it out.. thanks for the help!!
30. March 2007 at 19:59
Hi, we are trying to get to worlds 4 and 7. Can you give us any hints?
14. May 2008 at 01:41
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