‘Mario And Donkey Kong: Minis On The Move’ Review Roundup


Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move was released May 9 for the 3DS.

A Nintendo eShop exclusive, Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move is a puzzle game where the “minis” are miniature Mario character robots that cross the game board. It’s your job to place blocks on the checkered board and make a path for the robots to their goals. Each block has different path markings on it. Fans of BioShock should be somewhat familiar with the concept, as it resembles the “hacking” minigame.

There is also a custom level challenge, giving the player the chance to make a level that will stump other players.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move is a spinoff of sorts from the Mario vs Donkey Kong series that began in 2004, dropping the “vs” and giving us a top-down perspective. You never control the robots directly as you use building block marked with pathways to create a path from start to finish. You’re technically changing the stage around them.

This is a hardcore puzzle game, demanding that you build a path for the windup robots in the midst of difficulties such as Shy Guys and spike pits. Along the way, you have to collect whatever keys are necessary, and the occasional coin whenever possible. Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move throws regular challenges at you, so that just when you think you have it down, it gives you something else to figure out. This is the classic puzzle game formula at its most beloved, with a dash of platforming to keep it fresh.

Sometimes it may feel like Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move is technically a time trial, forcing you to finish the level within a given amount of time. The challenge will have you wrestling with your sanity, but the end goal always feels like an accomplishment. The added 3D look of the game really doesn’t change the dynamic of the way it plays, and that’s usually a good thing.

Nintendo’s latest entry in the Mario vs Donkey Kong games is addictive, challenging fun.

What do you think of Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move?

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