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Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis ds Game Reviews
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Critic Score
Metascore: 76 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.6 out of 10
based on 32 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 6 votes
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Rate this game

In the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Mario was trying to find all the Mini Marios ... but this time, it's up to them to save the day. Players use the stylus and the touch screen to guide Mini Marios through mind-boggling, obstacle-filled levels. Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 allows players to create their own maps with a new level editor. Once a map is created, players can send it across the world via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Players also can use Wi-Fi to download maps created by others, check out a player-ranking system and access special bonuses. Pauline returns! Pauline appeared in the original Donkey Kong as the woman that Mario was attempting to rescue, and was one of the first recognizable characters created by Nintendo. After a decades-long hiatus, Pauline is finally returning to the world of video games in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2. Pauline is the object of Donkey Kong's misplaced affections, so players must rescue her all over again. It seems folks love those Mini Mario toys. So much so that the Mario Toy Company has expanded the line to include Mini Donkey Kong, Mini Toad and Mini Peach figures to the series. With all these toys bringing him more money than he knows what to do with, Mario decides to fulfill his lifelong dream and open a theme park called Super Mini Mario World. The opening-day crowd includes Pauline and Donkey Kong, who immediately falls head over heels for the lovely lass. The proud ape tries to show off his Mini DK toy to Pauline, but she picks the Mini Mario toy over his and the jealous Donkey Kong becomes enraged. He smashes the displays, destroys the toys and takes Pauline to the top floor of the amusement park. Players must find Pauline and save the day. [Nintendo]

PUBLISHER: Nintendo
DEVELOPER: Nintendo
GENRE(S): Action, Platform, Puzzle
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2006

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
AceGamez
The gameplay is great fun and varies throughout with new themes, changing obstacles and introducing great new abilities for the minis at a carefully planned and gradual pace. It looks great, it sounds great and the WiFi functionality is a wonderful surprise that we're only used to seeing on the PSP.
Read Full Review
92
PGNx Media
One of the most addicting and entertaining games currently available on the Nintendo DS. The game makes great use of the touch screen (and your logical thinking skills).
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90
VideoGamer
Add in the two-player Wi-Fi option and what you've got here is a brilliant game, and one that is an absolute must for all DS owners. Quite simply: if you've got a DS, get this!
Read Full Review
88
Cheat Code Central
The story is told by fantastic cutscenes, fully voiced and animated to perfection.
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87
eToychest
A fun, challenging, and addictive game. The levels are short, and easily digestible, making this the perfect game to pick up and play for a few minutes on the go, while this very nature makes it difficult to put down.
Read Full Review
85
GamePro
As a sequel, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: March of the Minis surpasses the original by leaps and bounds backed by the capabilities of the Nintendo DS, however the new control scheme does take some getting used to.
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85
Extreme Gamer
The gameplay all revolves around the touch screen, and the puzzles and boss battles are interesting and well designed.
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82
Official Nintendo Magazine UK
The relaxed pace is good for your blood pressure but it's not much of a challenge. [Mar 2007, p.78]
82
GameSpot
The new touch-screen controls, level creator, and colorful presentation make March of the Minis an even better puzzle game than its predecessor.
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80
Da Gameboyz
With quality graphics, good sound and a Lemmings like gameplay how can anyone go wrong?
Read Full Review
80
WHAM! Gaming
With each level presenting it own unique challenges to overcome, what you have with 'Mario Versus Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis' is not only one of the longest game titles of the year but an accessible and thoroughly addicting puzzle game for thinking gamers of all ages.
Read Full Review
80
GameDaily
It's not the most challenging of games, but I think it's cute and very entertaining.
Read Full Review
80
G4 TV
An extremely refreshing puzzler that should find a huge audience on Nintendo DS. It may not have the legacy of Lemmings or the multiplayer gaming of Worms, but its stages are brilliantly crafted and the creator can't be beat.
Read Full Review
80
NGamer UK
If you're good enough, it'll last ages. If you're just an amateur dabbler, at least you'll get to see the ending. What's not to like? [Dec 2006, p.32]
80
Games Master UK
Just as efficient as its clockwork nature would seem to suggest - this is splendid form. [Jan 2007, p.70]
75
GameBrink
It's a lot of fun while it lasts, and if you have the skills required to get the coveted 'no stopping' bonus then there's plenty of mileage to be had out of beating your own high scores and comparing your progress to your friends over Wi-Fi.
Read Full Review
75
NintendoWorldReport
If you appreciate action games with major puzzle and strategic elements, then March of the Minis is for you. In particular, the game is perfect for players interested in level design.
Read Full Review
75
Nintendo Power
How much you enjoy Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis will probably correlate directly with how much you like guiding characters via the stylus. [Nov. 2006, p.87]
72
Electronic Gaming Monthly
I like how it's pretty easy to complete any of the levels, but achieving a gold star on each and collecting all the various coins and cards require strategy that's just challenging enough to stimulate the noggin here and there. [Nov. 2006, p.139]
70
IGN
Its similarities to the first game are only in looks; the concept goes in a refreshingly different -- but just not as successful, addictive or challenging -- direction for Nintendo DS gamers.
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70
Games Radar (in-house)
By hooking up with other players via Wi-Fi, you’re also able to play levels that other players create, giving you a virtually endless array of levels to puzzle over even after you’ve completed the main game.
Read Full Review
70
GameSpy
A mixed blessing. It's got some fun and elaborate puzzles, although some get a tad too elaborate to manage at once. Also, certain parts of the gameplay mechanic, such as the responsiveness of the touch screen while steering Mini-Marios around, don't function as well as we would have liked.
Read Full Review
70
Yahoo! Games
The very definition of a "pick up and play" video game, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 strikes a comfortable balance between bite-sized gameplay and respectable longevity. It could use some tighter controls and a multiplayer mode, but it's a competent addition to the DS' line of puzzlers.
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70
games(TM)
Unless you despise puzzle games you can't be disappointed as this does what it sets out to do. It's a charming title and a good way to pass some time. [Christmas 2006, p.137]
70
PALGN
Longevity is unfortunately absent in March of the Minis and is ultimately the thorn in the game’s foot, preventing it from being a much more memorable puzzler.
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70
Pocket Gamer UK
An addictive puzzle game that proves to be more Energizer bunny than clockwork mouse.
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70
Sydney Morning Herald
Using the Nintendo wi-fi connection service, users can then send their designs to friends to solve, bolstering the game's long-term appeal.
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70
Thunderbolt
While it doesn't cover any new ground and isn't pushing the DS in any way, it's a fun and easy to get into puzzle platformer that will keep you hooked if you give it enough time- especially if you play around with the level editor.
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70
Eurogamer
Many won't appreciate the simplicity, or the fact that there doesn't appear to be enough of a substantial challenge to grab your attention for very long. Not for everyone, then, but well worth further investigation if puzzling's your thing.
Read Full Review
70
Edge Magazine
Smartly thought out, handsomely presented and perfectly showcasing the combination of quick thinking and quick reactions we so often claim videogames encourage. [June 2007, p.89]
60
Game Informer
I'm sure some people will dig March of the Mini's all-ages gameplay, and the chance to share player-created levels via Wi-Fi is a nice touch, but unless someone comes up with stages that are more interesting than the ones in the main game, I'm certainly not interested. [Nov. 2006, p.142]
60
Modojo
A little more development time to polish some control quirks and hide away 20 or so super-difficult levels for the intrepid, and March of the Minis would have been a much more memorable DS release.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Megan H. gave it a10:
superb game. I like the bit were you can make your own level and play it!

Grant D. gave it a9:
This is one of the most entertaining games on the DS that I've ever played, I recommended it to everyone that I know.

Kung Fu Furby gave it an8:
This game is good, and it's good for your mind. I love to create levels, so that create-a-level feature really helped! Hey, this gives me enough of a challenge for one day, or several, or more than a month about.

Sean gave it a9:
The gameplay is great, and with 8 floors (worlds) with 9 levels, a minigame, and a boss fight each, there's a lot of value here. Not to mention that players can create their own levels, download levels from their friends and from Nintendo. Besides all the value packed into this game, the graphics and sound are very polished, not unlike the original Mario vs Donkey Kong.

Dree O. gave it an8:
I like the game very much. Think its better than part I. The problem is that it is too easy to run through the first time. I played all levels within 1 day. The only thing left is getting gold medals on all levels, and opening the few extra levels. Nice feauture is smooth the level creator. Levels are exchangable online, friendcodes.

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