The Game Boy Advance released in 2001 and like its predecessor, the Game Boy, it was a really popular handheld video game player. It’s definitive form is probably the GBA SP because of the front-light that it used (backlight in later models). There were probably 20 or 30 games on the GBA that I’d say are must-plays, which is a high amount of good games for any console, and the GBA excelled in quality software. It was basically a handheld Super Nintendo.
Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Pokemon, Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy, so many game franchises were well represented. One of the classics on the system is the puzzle platformer Mario vs. Donkey Kong. With the release of the remake on Switch last month, the game is back in the spotlight. Here, we look at the original to see whether it still holds up, and if it’s worth playing this one over the new one (which costs £39.99)
Presentation and Story
Mario vs. Donkey Kong on the Game Boy Advance uses a great-looking pixel art style that makes the game look like it could have been made for the Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis/Megadrive. The colors are vibrant, the environments are varied, and Mario himself looks like he’s just leaped from the Donkey Kong arcade game and got a fresh lick of paint on the way to appearing in this game. Donkey Kong is represented in a similar style to the Donkey Kong Country games. You mainly see him as the boss character at the end of each world, but he also appears at the start of levels, somehow forcing himself through keyholes, with Mario always one step behind him.
The art and world-building in terms of characters and environments, sounds and visual effects are all high quality and the game is really polished. This game, at its core, is a modern reimagining of the old arcade Donkey Kong, and the quality of that original title can still be seen in this title if you look closely (however that core concept has been built upon hugely). While the story is simple, the premise is endearing, and the small story elements that do exist, create a scaffold for the gameplay, and help to push the player through the game.
Gameplay
This is the most important part of the game, the gameplay loop revolves around traversing stairs, ropes, and elevators (as Mario), avoiding obstacles and enemies, to collect keys and mini Marios to advance to the next stage. The way that the levels are laid out are puzzles in themselves, and once you’ve gotten the knack of things after the first two levels, you’ll be hooked. The gameplay loop is honestly really addictive and is the best part of the game. The origins of the gameplay loop come from the original arcade Donkey Kong, as a lot of what you’re doing are iterations on that famous first screen of Donkey Kong. This could be taken as a negative — there is no exploration, no real narrative, and tool collecting. But, if you take the game for what it is, that is a highly addictive puzzle game, then it does that better than most games that try the same.
The hook of the game hinges on firstly when you realize how to use Mario to solve the puzzle, and then secondly when you put the plan into action and use your skills to actually complete the puzzle. These two elements of the gameplay loop is what will keep you coming back for more, until the game is beat, and you’ve beaten all 6 worlds. It’s a sizeable adventure, and it doesn’t outstay its welcome. There’s one big difficulty spike around World 4. but generally, anyone can enjoy this game (once you learn the basics).
Sound, Visuals, And Versions
The 16-bit-looking visuals of the game almost appear pre-rendered at times and have a clay-like look to them. This has a certain charm but, understandably, the visuals won’t be to everyone’s taste. They seem to be more stylized than the new remake (which seems like vanilla Mario art) and this works in the original’s favor. The remake doesn’t change too much apart from the visuals. However, it can more easily be played on a TV (since it is a Switch game) and Mario vs Donkey Kong is a good way to bond with others, and get friends or family members to help with the sometimes difficult puzzles, so there are at least some positives to owning the remake over the original. Both games are great whichever one you choose.
The sound design is as you’d expect from a first-party Nintendo game — very good. Mario walking has a sound to it, as does his jumps (his voice), and his deaths (electrical sound when he’s electrocuted, for example). In terms of soundtrack, the music is great, but there’s no one tune that I can really remember off the top of my head. This probably indicates that the soundtrack isn’t as good as the generation’s best (the Game Boy Advance/PS2/Gamecube generation). I probably agree with that statement, but it certainly isn’t bad.
Conclusion
Overall, Mario vs Donkey Kong is a GBA classic that packs a punch as an addictive puzzler and doesn’t outstay it’s welcome. The game is structured into themed worlds, and there is some variation in environments and gameplay between these worlds. The game deserves some credit for abandoning the ‘save the princess’ trope that so many Mario (and Nintendo) games fall into.
The essence of the arcade Donkey Kong can still be seen in Mario vs. Donkey Kong and the addictiveness of the GBA game proves to me how good arcade Donkey Kong must have been back in 1981. In regards to the new remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024), if you know the GBA game, the remake would probably be fun to pick up to play with friends or family. However, there aren’t enough additions in the remake to make a second purchase economical, and the original does the same job. Mario vs. Donkey is a game that deserves its place in Nintendo’s pantheon.
9/10
BongoBongo123 is an avid Zelda fan who also likes the odd game of Smash. His interests in gaming are broad but he loves a good Metroidvania or action RPGs.