Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! (2010). Play online

Summary

When Mario’s third theme park opens, the first hundred visitors snag a brand‑new Mini Pauline, only for Donkey Kong to slip in as the 101st and snatch the doll. He darts into the park with the Mini‑Marios in hot pursuit, kicking off what the game calls Mini‑Land Mayhem!

The DS title plays like a 2‑D Lemmings‑style puzzle: you never control Mario directly, but use the stylus to place walls, ramps and gizmos so wind‑up Mini‑Marios can travel from point A to a door. Each stage holds one to three minis, and every exit shuts a few seconds after the first toy enters, so timing is key.

Eight themed worlds, each eight levels long, introduce specific elements—red girders, magnets, conveyor belts, springs and trampolines—culminating in boss fights where you must hit Donkey Kong with three objects. A Plus Mode reshuffles the order of exit requirements, while Special and Expert stages add extra puzzles for trophy hunters.

Beyond the main campaign, the Construction Zone lets you craft and share up to 160 custom puzzles (the online service stayed alive until May 2014). Critics praised the intuitive stylus control, deep level design and the editor’s ease of use, landing the game in the “generally favorable” range on Metacritic and earning a thumbs‑up from outlets like IGN and The Guardian.

Storyline

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini‑Land Mayhem! the brand‑new Mini‑Land theme park is about to open, promising a free Mini‑Pauline to its first 100 guests. Donkey Kong rushes to the line, only to discover he’s the 101st customer, so he kidnaps the real Pauline in a fit of rage. Mario jumps into action, piloting his army of Minis through a series of park attractions to chase Donkey Kong. After battling his way to the Final Ferris Wheel, Mario defeats the ape, but Donkey Kong grabs Pauline again and retreats to the Plus Attractions. A second showdown at the Ferris Wheel ends with Mario’s victory, and, in a surprising turn, he bends the rules to give Donkey Kong a Mini‑Pauline after all. The three ride the Ferris wheel together as the Toads cheer the peace between Mario and Donkey Kong.