During a demo of the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii with creator Shigeru Miyamoto, I finally had a chance to see the much-talked-about "demo play" in action. This mode, actually called "Super Guide," is the mode everyone whined would "let Nintendo play the game for them," essentially taking out all of the difficult and skill.
In practice, that's not entirely true. Miyamoto openly admits that New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a difficult title, more so the relatively easy to complete New Super Mario Bros. DS. Playing even the earliest stages of the Wii title, this is obvious; jumps are trickier and enemies are more plentiful, making quick thinking and timing all the more important. Not everyone, Miyamoto says, will have the skill set (or the patience) to complete every world. But he sure wants them to.
That's where "Super Guide" comes into play.
When a players dies eight times on one of the game's 80 stages, they'll have a chance to hit a green "Super Guide" block. This will trigger a video in which you'll watch Luigi play through the stage. This isn't designed to give away all of the game's secrets -- it won't show you hidden paths or all of the hidden coins, for instance.
It will however give players the opportunity to see how the stage could be completed. At any time, the player can jump into the action and take over, which would give them the opportunity to let the game itself guide them through some of the nastier sections. If the player decides, letting the game complete the level will allow them to move to the next stage.
According to Miyamoto, there are a few disadvantages to using the "Super Guide." Players who persevere and decide not to use any "Super Guide" blocks will be awarded with something special (like some cool indicator on the game's title screen), where as those who rely on them will miss out. There's another downside to using the guides -- shame.
"I find that when [the "Super Guide" block] does appear," he says. "I kind of feel regretful and guilty that I've let that happen. So I've often found that playing the game, when that happens, it kind of inspires me [to say] 'I've already done this bad, now I have to clear the level on my own.'"
So let's come clean right now folks -- will you or will you not be using New Super Mario Bros. Wii's "Super Guide" when the game ships on November 15? Or will you, like Miyamoto, take it as that extra bit of kick in the pants to get your gaming act together?
Contest:
10:30 PM on 10.15.2009
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It will probably be easy, and the "hard" talk is probably just PR speak to combat the NSMB DS naysayers, but I will buy the game regardless.
The exception here is that Super Guide wouldn't make the game easier, just tutor you. That is sort of a kick in the pants, just like DMC 3 suggesting the Easy Mode. It kinda does make you want to do better on you own.
I think Nintendo struck a good balance here in adding the option. I'd never use the Super Guide, but now that they've shown what it is about, I can't really see a problem with it. Maybe this will give them more incentive to make the other games more challenging, too.
Can't wait to see how hard this will get.
YET - ALL of the main series iterations over the past few decades were GOOD. I expect this to be like every other Mario ever: not challenging, yet well made, well designed, and satisfying. Plus this has multiplayer (hint: New Super Mario Brothers DS' single cart Luigi vs. Mario was AMAZING! BUY IT!).
- Each 'Super Guide' playthrough was done by someone on the dev team (Aparently, some are by Miyamoto too).
- Super Guide playthroughs reveal secret actions as well.
- One secret revealed shows that hitting a coin block 10 times will send out 5 more coins on the 10th smash.
- Super Guide won't reveal secret paths or hidden items.
- Even when a player takes over for a 'Super Guide' play, the screen will still indicate that the level is being played in 'Super Guide' mode.
- If you beat the game without making a single 'Super Guide' block pop up (die 8 times on the same level), you will get a special title screen reward.
And here is a new trailer... as you can see, the difficulty of the levels does indeed look way harder than NSMB on the DS (the player playing in the trailer has a lot of skills).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxgn9cRBeGU
that was an awesome trailer. renewed my faith in the game. oh man, the 4 player madness will be awesome.
Oh, and I will not be using Super Guide. And I will be encouraging my 7 year old nephew not to, either. If he DOES succumb to its tempestuous nature, then he shall be met with FORTY LASHINGS*.
* not
It's not a video... it's basically a "ghost" like the ones used in racing games, like Mario Kart.
But instead of being a Mario "ghost", Mari is replaced by Luigi and a sign saying that you are using Super Guide appears. If you use Super Guide, a sign will appear even on the stage selection screen, and the sign will dissapear only when you finish the level by your own.
I know it is not a video. I was responding to what Mr. Nick Chester wrote about what Miyamoto's translator said.
It would just suck if your AI glitches up on you in a particularly complex area.
Anyway, I won't be using this feature. I don't like people or things helping me out.
Where can I find that hack? Classic video!
I wouldn't even use this on N+. Then again, it's also my favorite game ever, so maybe I have a knack for it and its multi-death style.
Also, I laugh at those of you who post that you won't use it, then end up dying 8 times on a level, give up, and turn to it for help. I'm not saying everyone will, just that the odds that at least one person who commented on here will are pretty high.
Never.
Ever.
Like all Super Mario games before it, this game will be nothing short of amazing. can not wait! November 15th, baby!
I think Miyamoto has achieved something that should make everyone happy -quite the accomplishment, and it is reassuring to have a New ol'school Mario to play.
How is the player ever going to get better at the game if he or she can just skip all the "hard parts?" It's just like when little kids ask their older siblings to beat a level for them. Sure, it'll get to the next level, but it'll only get harder from there, Thus, an endless cycle of begging for help.
Well it doesn't come out for another month, so they wouldn't be advertising it on TV yet. Just wait till it gets closer to the release date!