IndustryGamers - Informing the Games Industry

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is 'Pretty Difficult,' says Miyamoto

Posted October 15, 2009 by James Brightman

If you thought New Super Mario Bros. Wii would be a cakewalk, think again. Just because it's on the Wii doesn't mean it'll be easy. In fact, Shigeru Miyamoto said at a roundtable attended by IndustryGamers, "What we've created is pretty difficult." But that's why the game was designed to include 4-player multiplayer and the new "Super Guide" mode.

Miyamoto said that multiplayer enables advanced players to take novice players along for the ride, so players of disparate skill levels can easily play together and have fun. Super Guide, which had previously been referred to as Demo Play, should make it possible for anyone to get through parts of levels that become too difficult. Essentially, after a player has died 8 times on the same level, the Super Guide block appears, and by hitting it, the mode is activated. Then, a video of Luigi automatically plays, and while Luigi advances through the level the player can pause and takeover again at any point, thereby skipping over very difficult spots in a level if needed.

Miyamoto feels this is an inspirational tool of sorts for players. "I feel guilty when the Super Guide block appears," he said. "I feel inspired to finish the level on my own." New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the first game to include Super Guide, but it's possible that future Wii titles could include it too. Each title will be evaluated individually, but something like this in a new Zelda could "open Pandora's box," he said, because it's hard to decide how much of a puzzle solution should be revealed.

Miyamoto noted that players who are able to complete the game without the Super Guide block ever appearing on a level will be treated to a special unlockable. The game will also feature unlockable hint movies that show off videos of very skilled gameplay, moves and secrets. The idea, Miyamoto said, is to inspire you to become a super player also.

In the Q&A part of the roundtable, Miyamoto acknowledged that New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a sort of return to the series' roots. He said this was a deliberate choice because he wanted the game to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Moreover, multiplayer would be better suited to this type of old-school gameplay. He also believes that 2D games are enjoying a renaissance currently, because people are now "remembering the benefits of 2D gaming." He added, "To go 2D you have to have the courage to not be so attached to visuals."

Also see: Miyamoto on HD Graphics

James Brightman has been covering the games industry since 2003 and has been an avid gamer ever since the days of Atari and Intellivision. He was previously the EIC of GameDaily Biz.