Dr. Mario & Germ Buster (Wii) Reader Review

Usually before I stick a review up, I play completely through or just a segment if need be of the game I'll be reviewing. So you can imagine how bloomin difficult it was to tear my mum away from Dr Mario. She absolutely loves the game, and seizes any chance to get an hour on there. Thankfully I managed to distract her with Columns playing in another room.
So then, whilst I have the opportunity, lets whip out this review.
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The first Dr Mario was released in 1990, on the NES and Game Boy systems. It was enough of a success for Nintendo to give the idea another run on the N64, and as a launch title for the impending Wiiware service.
(Okay, a crappy history synopsis, but you try putting down more about the games. )

As afore mentioned, Dr Mario & Germ Buster (more on the second part later) is part of the Wiiware service. It has a 1000 Wii Point price point (which many would deem expensive for a simple Puzzle game, but the game's features do justify the purchase), and has a moderate Block size of just over 100 blocks, which will be somewhat of a relief to those tired of cleaning out their fridges.

The main meat of the game, Dr Mario, involves a puzzle system not too far removed from Tetris; shapes fall down the screen, and a bunch of the same lined up vanish, although there's a bit more to it than that.
Those three germ creature-like things that bound about on the title screen? Those are the ones you have to get rid of. Each shape you control to put down is one of three colours separated into two parts (looks like a pill basically), and you need to line up four or more of the same colour with a germ of that colour to make the little bugger go. Watch the Vid at the bottom, that explains the concepts better than I ever can.
The controls for the game are simplicity itself. Holding the Wiimote in the classic NES position, all you need is the D-Pad and the 1 and 2 buttons. Easy to get the hang of, and simple for anyone to pick up and play. The controls for Germ Buster are a little different though...
Germ Buster is a variant on the Dr Mario formula that was previously included as an extra in Brain Training 2 on the DS. It consists of the same idea to take out the multi-coloured germs, but in this game, you can use the Wii Remote's pointer, in conjunction with the A and B buttons. For the most part, this works well, although the original formula is hard even for this to beat.

Dr Mario delivers on looks functionality. Not quite a Wiiware Showcase like LostWinds, but expectations from a Puzzle title regarding graphics are usually low anyway.

The game has a number of tracks for the player to choose, although a few of them are probably used by sadists as a torture device. The main theme, that I'm betting a few of you would recognize from the Smash Bros series, is there in all its glory, so I'd suggest sticking with that one.

Your 1000 point purchase here will get you a lot of bang for your buck. Both games, Dr Mario and Germ Buster, offer multiple play options, including a highly functional online mode, and adaptability for more than one player. There is also a demo of the game that players can send to friends, but one that can only be played online. So chances are, you'll find quite a bit to enjoy.