Russ Greeno: In my previous incarnation as a proper paid video game blogger way back in 2011, I reviewed Mario vs DK; Mini Land Mayhem for the Nintendo DS. I loved the quirky puzzle title that required you to build bridges and ladders to get toy figures from one part of the screen to another. So over two years later we now have the next title in the series; Mario and Donkey Kong – Minis on the Move. I’ll admit it, I was a bit excited in my pants when Minis on the Move was first revealed on a Nintendo Direct earlier this year, it’s a cool little offshoot of the Mario franchise that first appeared on the Gameboy in 1994. The idea was to take the original Donkey Kong arcade game, and mix things up by adding a modern feeling Mario into the mix. Since then it’s evolved into a puzzle game, but there is still an old arcade feel hiding here under the surface. If you wanted one more reason why I was excited to play this, well this also happens to be my first review from my brand new 3DSXL with its GIANT screens
TGH Writes: "Mario and Donkey Kong may well not be the first thing you think of when someone mentions a puzzle game. But if you’re familiar with previous Mario Vs. Donkey Kong titles, then Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move will make you realise just how well the duo can fill the puzzle genre. Minis on the Move is a simple, yet superbly enjoyable, puzzler that just about anyone who likes a good challenge can have fun with."
From the review: "Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move is a great addition to the series. The fact that it’s different than the usual side-scrolling games of the series is a plus as it keeps things fresh, and the level editor gives you the creativity to make your own levels if you get tired of the one-hundred eighty plus levels the game already offers. This is one I’d definitely recommend giving a shot if you’ve enjoyed past games in the series."
Nintendo Insider writes:
Within this latest Nintendo 3DS exclusive Donkey Kong joins Pauline to run a game arcade within the Mini-Land carnival, for which players must guide small wind-up robots called Minis – guised as Mario, Toad, Peach, Donkey Kong – across a tile-based puzzle adventure. If you think of it as a Mario-skinned “Pipe Mania,” you’ll most likely understand the idea.
