Mario vs. Donkey Kong [GBA]

After years of starring in his own games, it's easy to forget that Mario once played second fiddle to a big ape. The two have finally reunited, with Kong suiting up for one more turn as Mario's hairy nemesis. And while Mario vs. Donkey Kong isn't perfect, it's still a fun way to relive some 1984 arcade nostalgia while solving one puzzle board after another.

A funny opening details how Kong has stolen Mario's new line of toys, and the red-suited hero is off to recover his merchandise. Calling Mario a puzzle game isn't entirely on the mark. The basic layouts definitely belong in the puzzle genre; Mario jumps through many mazelike screens, blazing a path towards his captured toys. Some boards have shades of Lemmings, as Mario leads his recaptured swag back to their toybox. Others feature complex switch-controlled paths that take several passes to master.

But there's a lot of arcade sensibility, too, as Mario's got many of his classic moves as well as a few new ones. The Donkey Kong mallet makes a welcome comeback, as do flaming oil drums. Enemies can't be stomped out, but throwing a trashcan (or wielding the mallet) makes short work of most. Sometimes, preserving bad guys for use as platforms is the only solution.

In addition to the standard running and jumping, the plumber can perform a handstand and double-jump. There's also a bit of gymnastics, thanks to the swinging use of a high beam. The new abilities are clearly explained and perfectly integrated into the character's existing routines. Loyal followers will get a kick out of the many references to past Mario titles, thanks to recognizable enemies and environments.

Visually, this is a good example of what the GBA can do, with clean lines and solid character animation. There's a bit of slowdown on crowded screens, but the controls are tight and, in general, the game moves smoothly.

The sound in this little cart is mixed, with some classic effects let down by music that's generic, at best. But the vocal effects are great. A somersault jump is performed with the same 'wa-haa!' heard in Super Mario Sunshine, and other grunts and utterances work well, too. Mario's dialogue is pretty dodgy -- this is one beloved character who should never talk.

Longevity might not be a problem for the plumber (or the ape), but it could be an issue with their match-up. True, finishing the initial collection of 48 levels unlocks two more collections of content, but players with an aptitude for this game style will blaze through in a few days, tops. And those who get frustrated with a particular board will be irrevocably stuck.

Questions of replay value aside, though, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a fun platformer. It manages to capture both the classic arcade spirit of the characters and the challenge of good puzzles. While it lasts, Mario's adventure is a great combination of new and vintage... though we'd like to see the ape win, just once.