New details on “demo play” feature in New Super Mario Bros. Wii

We first heard about this feature in a patent when it was referred to as “kind code”. When New Super Mario Bros. Wii was unveiled, it was referred to as “demo play” in interviews. But now, we have its official name: Super Guide. What does it do? Well, it gives players the option to let the game take over if they are stuck in a level and the player can jump back in at any time. Personally, I think that’s a great idea because there have been many games that I enjoyed but kept getting stuck in and got too frustrated to bother continuing to play. However, many have wondered if this will make the game too easy since the computer can just take over if you want. Luckily, it’s not going to be that easy.

First off, this will ONLY be available for a single player. So if you have friends over and you’re stuck, well… too bad. Also, Super Guide won’t be available until you fail eight times in a level. You start the game out with five lives, so that means you will not only have to lose all five of those, but you will then have to continue and lose three more lives in a level before Super Guide can be activated. This way, there is still some difficulty involved and the game only gives you the option when you are having a lot of trouble with a level. Once you lose eight lives, a floating green box will appear at the start of the level and if you hit it, Super Guide will be activated. It’s also interesting to note that you play as Mario (since Super Guide is only for single player), so the computer will then replace Mario as Luigi and take over. You can’t play along or anything, but you can watch Luigi play the level. It’s not like you’re watching a video of him play, he’s actually playing the level.

And don’t worry, even if you are stuck in a level and you get a computer Luigi to help you out, the computer won’t reveal any secrets. It’ll just go through the level, not taking any shortcuts or anything. Whenever you want to join in, you will then start controlling Luigi (no, you don’t switch back to Mario). Once you take over, it’s as if you had been playing the whole time. You continue controlling him where he left off and it’s like a normal game once again.

I’m definitely liking this feature now. Before, I was thinking I may not use it because it would make things too easy. But if I lose eight lives in a level, then maybe it’s time I get a little bit of help from a computer. And hey, I can jump back in at any time. Perfect. Heck, this may encourage developers to make their games harder so that hardcore gamers can enjoy the difficult levels, while others can use Super Guide for the challenging parts. Although I don’t know if I’ll ever use that feature in New Super Mario Bros. Wii since I’ll be playing the game with my roommates. Anyone else think this feature will help them out?

[Via Kotaku]

Around The Net: