Reviewed for Big Boss Games by: KBN
I've been looking forward to Super Princess Peach ever since those first leaked screenshots started spreading around the Internet. I've always loved the Mario franchise, sans the Mario Sports series, but more than that, I've always thought that Peach deserved her own game, and for it to come to one of my favorite game platforms since the Super Nintendo is a bonus treat!
Super Princess Peach follows the oft-abducted Princess and her Parasol "Perry" on the mysterious Vibe Island. Bowser has stolen the Vibe Scepter, and with it, not only captured Mario, Luigi, and the Toads, but also has sent both the Mushroom Kingdom and Vibe Island into chaos.
Through the game, you'll battle with traditional Mario-style game play, i.e. jumping on baddies, smashing blocks and the like, but you'll also harness the Princesses' powerful emotions; Rage, Joy, Sadness, Calm, and...er...Doc... via the Touch Screen. Most often, you'll find yourself using them to solve in-game puzzles that will lead you to a captured Toad, but in later levels, you can use them to explore large hidden areas and save yourself from death.
If you get sick of playing through story mode, Super Princess Peach also features a few stylus-based mini-games akin to Super Mario 64 DS. There's a set of puzzles, the pieces of which are hidden mostly in-level, and a few Toad harassment games (is it wrong to purposely lead them into a wall of fire?). There is also a 'Concert Room' where you can replay any of the music or sound bites from the game. Again, some are hidden in-level, but most can be purchased at the store, and unless you are attempting to avoid coins, you'll have plenty to waste.
Overall, Super Princess Peach proves itself to be not only a great addition to the DS' already formidable game library, but a great 2D platformer as well. Even though the game is a little on the easy side, the overall experience isn't hindered much and there are bonus 'harder' missions for when you are done with the game. And guys, don't shy away from this one because the word 'Princess' is in the title. After all, it's not made by Disney and if you ever played Super Mario Strikers then you know that Peach can be a major.... well, suffice it to say that if you
own a DS and a Y chromosome, don't let pride make you miss this one.
