When you’ve found a game design that works, sometimes it’s better to simply build on that design rather than constantly reinvent it. Such a conservative approach is especially true for puzzle games, as they’re typically infectious enough as is, and they are extremely resistant to staling. Nintendo’s Dr. Mario Online Rx adopts this approach, with essentially the core of Dr. Mario 64—from the various modes of play to the music and all—coupled with some new multiplayer- and online-centric Wii-inspired features. At 1000 Wii Points ($10), it’s sure to entice any fan of the perdurable NES original.

DESCRIPTION

Dr. Mario Online Rx (AcetaminoFUN + MetaxalONLINE + PUZZLEvocetirizine dihydrochloride) is a new WiiWare game that consumes 93 blocks of space on your Wii.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Dr. Mario Online Rx is a puzzle-based stimulant when administered systemically. It features a number of different play modes, many of which were derived from its predecessor, Dr. Mario 64. These modes include the usual 1- and 2-player traditional modes, vs. CPU, Flash Mode (where you must eradicate viruses in a specified order), online versus (two players), and an updated version of the Brain Age 2 mini-game Germ Buster. For the most part, if you’re a Dr. Mario veteran, you already know exactly what to expect from Online Rx.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

The basic gameplay remains the same—you must rotate and position multicolored “vitamins” (Mario and his silly homeopathy) so that they form rows, horizontally or vertically, of four or more similar colors consecutively in order to destroy increasing numbers of viruses. You can use any conventional control method to perform the disinfection process—horizontal Wii-mote, Classic controller, or GameCube controller.

Up to four player profiles can be created and stored, each linked with its own Mii. These profiles allow for recording of individual high scores and preferences, such as whether or not pressing Up on the D-pad drops the pill instantaneously, and whether the player prefers to see a “ghost image” of the pill indicating its alignment below.

Apart from the usual game modes, the aforementioned online versus mode works well, in which you simply battle against another geographically-irrelevant opponent in an attempt to be the first to clear all your viruses. Lag is hardly a concern, though that much is probably expected since the game is far from a robust action title. You can also battle a friend via local multiplayer in either the traditional or Flash mode of play. The Germ Buster mode, on the other hand, works with up to four team players, all of whom must don a Wii-mote and use it to grab and drop (and rotate) pills to clear out the viruses. It’s very fun, though certainly harder to control, and while it won’t lure anyone away from Super Smash Bros. Brawl multiplayer, it’s still a worthwhile addition—perfect for husband/wife play.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Dr. Mario Online Rx is contraindicated in patients with an acute aversion to thought and fun and in patients with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation.

PRECAUTIONS

General: For Wii use only.
Information for Patients:
Care is to be taken when administering Dr. Mario Online Rx for long-term use, as it is known to be as addictive as benzoylmethyl ecgonine (much like the original).
Nursing Mothers:
Dr. Mario Online Rx is not excreted in human milk.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, and Impairment of Fertility:
Er, No.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse event following the use of Dr. Mario Online Rx was Wii flash memory exhaustion (come on, Nintendo, let’s see a solution for this already). Other events reported in 1% to 5% of patients included hyperhidrosis, conjunctival hyperemia, and general euphoria.


DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Download the game from the Wii Shop Channel, open the game, and play.


KEEP IN REACH OF CHILDREN.

Rx Only