Mario vs Donkey Kong: Mini-land Mayhem!

A mechanical mayhem of puzzles

Released for the Nintendo DS in 2010, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-land Mayhem! continued the puzzle-platforming rivalry between Mario and Donkey Kong. This entry in the series focused entirely on guiding small, wind-up Mini Mario toys through complex, trap-filled levels, challenging players to think strategically to complete each stage.

A theme park in trouble

The story begins with Mario opening his new amusement park, Mini-land, where he’s giving away Mini Pauline toys to the first guests. However, Donkey Kong arrives too late and, in frustration, kidnaps Pauline instead! Mario must now use his army of Mini Mario toys to navigate through increasingly tricky levels and rescue her.

Touchscreen-based puzzle solving

Unlike traditional Mario games, Mini-land Mayhem! had players controlling the environment rather than Mario himself. Using the DS stylus, players could draw bridges, place conveyor belts, and manipulate obstacles to guide the Mini Marios safely to the goal. The game’s difficulty gradually ramped up, introducing new hazards and mechanics that required careful planning and quick reflexes.

Level creation and replayability

One of the game’s standout features was its level editor, allowing players to create and share their own puzzles. Combined with unlockable challenges and online level-sharing via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, this gave the game significant replay value.

A standout entry in the series

With its polished puzzle mechanics, charming presentation, and engaging level design, Mini-land Mayhem! was one of the strongest entries in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. It captured the fun of previous games while adding new mechanics that made great use of the DS touchscreen, offering hours of creative and strategic gameplay.

---