Most people have forgotten that Mario’s origin was as a Donkey Kong hunter in a simple yet punishingly challenging arcade game, but not Nintendo. Ever since the awesome/underrated 1994 Gameboy Donkey Kong revival, the big N has offered Mario a side career in rather brilliant puzzle games based on the Donkey-stomping precision of his original adventure. Over the years, it’s evolved into a strange puzzle series centered on wind-up Mario and Donkey Kong toys barely reminiscent of where the franchise began. Quality has yet to dip though, and now that Mario And Donkey Kong: Minis On The Move has hit the 3DS’ eShop the time has come for old school gaming fans to unite in their love of brain-teasing challenge combined with simplistic, but maddeningly precise gameplay.
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.
