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New Super Mario Bros. vs Spyro: Season of Ice

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros.Classic Mario platforming reborn with fresh power-ups and multiplayer fun.
Spyro: Season of Ice
Spyro: Season of IceSpyro's portable debut brings isometric platforming action to the Game Boy Advance.
Overview
Description

New Super Mario Bros. brings the beloved sideโ€‘scrolling Mario experience to a modern handheld, combining tight controls with vibrant 2D graphics. Players dash, jump, and collect coins across dozens of inventive worlds filled with secrets and challenges. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, letting friends team up to tackle levels together while discovering hidden paths and powerโ€‘up combos. Its timeless design appeals to newcomers and longtime fans alike.

Spyro: Season of Ice is the first game in the series not developed by Insomniac Games and the first to appear on the Game Boy Advance. Featuring an isometric overhead perspective, the game retains Spyro's classic abilities like flame breath and gliding while introducing Mode 7 technology for its 3D-style flying bonus levels. Following the defeat of the Sorceress, an evil Rhynoc wizard named Grendor turns the fairies of the Dragon Realms into ice blocks to cure his headaches. Players control Spyro with the assistance of Hunter and Sparx to rescue the trapped fairies across diverse environments and thwart Grendor's plot.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
Platformers
Platformers
Best for
Fans of classic platformers
Fans of retro platformers and handheld games
Specifications
Spec source
AI-estimated
AI-estimated
General
msrp
$59.99
$29.99โˆ’50%
release date
2006-05-15
2001-11-07
Specifications
developer
Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development, Nintendo
Digital Eclipse
publisher
Nintendo, iQue
Konami, Universal Interactive Studios
age rating
ESRB E, PEGI 12
ESRB E
multiplayer
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Single player
critic score
95/100+46%
65/100
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Tight, responsive controls that feel classic yet fresh.
  • Rich variety of powerโ€‘ups and level designs.
  • Engaging multiplayer modes for up to four players.
  • High replay value with secret exits and collectibles.
  • Brings the classic Spyro gameplay formula to a portable console for the first time
  • Retains signature moves like flame breath and gliding
  • Uses Mode 7 technology for immersive flying bonus levels
  • Features familiar characters including Hunter and Sparx
Cons
  • Limited online features; focus is on local play.
  • Graphics, while charming, may feel dated compared to modern 3D titles.
  • No builtโ€‘in level editor for userโ€‘generated content.
  • Isometric camera angle takes time to get used to compared to 3D titles
  • Lacks multiplayer or cooperative gameplay modes
  • Limited visual fidelity on original Game Boy Advance hardware
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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Alternatives to Spyro: Season of Ice

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Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly
Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly

Spyro's first 128-bit adventure to rescue scattered dragonflies from Ripto.

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Spyro: A Hero's Tail
Spyro: A Hero's Tail

Join Spyro and his friends to save the Dragon Realms from the evil Red.

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Spyro 2: Season of Flame
Spyro 2: Season of Flame

Rescue the stolen fireflies and restore dragon fire in this portable isometric platformer.

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

New Super Mario Bros. is the safer, higher-rated default with broad multiplayer and side-scrolling action, while Spyro: Season of Ice is a budget-friendly, single-player handheld isometric platformer.

Key differences

  • โ€ขPerspective: Spyro uses an isometric overhead camera, whereas Mario features a side-scrolling perspective with a dynamic camera.
  • โ€ขMultiplayer: Mario supports up to four players in local cooperative or competitive modes, while Spyro is strictly single-player.Pricing and Critic Score: Spyro is cheaper at $29.99 with a 65 critic score, while Mario costs $59.99 with a much higher 95 critic score.Content Scale: Mario includes over 80 levels across eight worlds with secret exits, whereas Spyro features a rescue mission across multiple worlds with flying bonus levels.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

New Super Mario Bros. features tight, responsive controls and a 95 critic score compared to Spyro's 65 score.

New Super Mario Bros.

Platform availability

Not specified in the provided data beyond their initial release contexts.

Tie

Price & value

Spyro: Season of Ice costs $29.99, making it half the price of New Super Mario Bros. at $59.99.

Spyro: Season of Ice

Multiplayer / co-op

New Super Mario Bros. offers local multiplayer for up to four players, while Spyro is single-player only.

New Super Mario Bros.

Content & replayability

Mario offers over 80 levels across eight worlds with secret exits and alternate routes for exploration.

New Super Mario Bros.

Difficulty & accessibility

Mario features responsive controls suitable for both beginners and experts, while Spyro's isometric camera takes time to get used to.

New Super Mario Bros.

Graphics & performance

Both have hardware-limited or dated visuals (Spyro on original GBA, Mario compared to modern 3D titles).

Tie

Choose New Super Mario Bros. ifโ€ฆ

Players wanting top-tier side-scrolling platforming with local multiplayer and high critic praise.

Choose Spyro: Season of Ice ifโ€ฆ

Retro fans seeking a portable isometric platformer adventure on a budget.

Common questions

Can I play either game with friends in multiplayer?

Yes, New Super Mario Bros. supports local multiplayer for up to four players. Spyro: Season of Ice lacks multiplayer or cooperative modes.

Which game is less expensive?

Spyro: Season of Ice is cheaper with an MSRP of $29.99, whereas New Super Mario Bros. has an MSRP of $59.99.

How do the levels and worlds compare in scale?

New Super Mario Bros. features over 80 levels across eight distinct worlds. Spyro features multiple worlds focused on rescuing fairies from ice.