Game Info
GAME NAME: Dr. Mario Miracle Cure
DEVELOPER(S): Nintendo
PUBLISHER(S): Nintendo
PLATFORM(S): 3DS
GENRE(S): Puzzle
RELEASE DATE(S): June 11, 2015
If you’re anything like me you have some quite fond memories of old NES era puzzle games, one of which being Dr. Mario. Every now and then Nintendo likes to give us a taste of what we loved so much back then in a new updated package and Dr. Mario Miracle Cure is no different. The core game play remains the same as we’ve known and loved, but with a few additions here and there to spice it up a bit.
At the main menu you’re presented with the choices of playing the ‘Miracle Laboratory’, or setting up a ‘Custom Clinic’ game. (Also are options, online battle and local match.) The Miracle Laboratory is comprised of different difficulty challenges and puzzle sets. The rules and conditions vary upon puzzle, sometimes very drastically!
Controls are as you’d expect to rotate and set pieces in place when it comes to this type of game. Not really anything groundbreakng or NASA level going on here, but then again why bother changing what works? Although the game does also support touch controls and traditional button layout of your preference is one or the other.
Here are some of the power ups that are available in Miracle Cure. Sometimes, these little things are the only thing between failure and completion! The idea behind them is definitely a solid one but more often than not it seems to be more of a pain to line it up this way, or line it up that way for maximum efficiency when it comes to using these things in an advantageous manner for virus busting greatness. Not to say I don’t like them, I do. there just seems to be either a heck of a learning curve or they are more or less randomized with when they pop out in correlation to what pieces you have on your board.
Custom Clinic on the other hand is where things have potential to really get crazy, depending on the rules YOU set. In this mode you can toggle the Miracle Cure on/off for starters. It’s definitely a cool little addition to the game and can definitely add another layer to game play, but I’m sure purists will be glad you can turn it off. You’ve got three game modes in the Clinic, conveniently named Dr. Mario, Dr. Luigi and Virus Buster. Dr. Mario mode uses basic capsules and button controls, Dr. Luigi uses L capsules and button controls and both can be set up to be endless or as a battle mode tour game against the CPU. Virus Buster mode uses basic capsules and touch controls. Tap a capsule to make it rotate while you drag and drop to move it. This also offers a classic mode, where you must eliminate every virus in order to clear the stage!
The Recomendation
The additions that have been made in way of power ups definitely help make the game a little more interesting. I don’t know how many times I’d have lost the round if it hadn’t been for those power ups! There’s also the option to do multiplayer battles for those that are into the competitive side of things. Overall though, if you’re a fan of puzzle games and/or Dr. Mario in particular I’d say grab it from the 3DS eShop as it’s only $8.99 and it’ll definitely keep you busy for a while while tugging at your nostalgia strings. The new gameplay mechanics and modes that have been added are more than enough to freshen the title up, and add I said before there are options you can change if you’re one of those types of people that really adores that strict retro feel.
