Software:Dr. Mario Online Rx

From HandWiki
Short description: 2008 video game

Dr. Mario Online Rx
Title screen
Developer(s)Arika
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Hiroyasu Hashidate
Takamasa Hori
Kazuki Yoshihara
Producer(s)Ichirou Mihara
Hitoshi Yamagami
Designer(s)Hiroshi Okuda
Akira Nishitani
Programmer(s)Shinichi Masuda
Artist(s)Tatsuya Ushiroda
Takuma Yano
Jun Hosoba
Takayoshi Matsui
Composer(s)Masaru Tajima
SeriesDr. Mario
Platform(s)WiiWare
Release
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Dr. Mario Online Rx,[lower-alpha 1] stylized as Dr. Mario Online ℞ and released in PAL regions as Dr. Mario & Germ Buster,[3] is a puzzle video game starring Dr. Mario. It was one of the WiiWare launch games in Japan, Europe, and Australia, and was released in 2008 on March 25 for Japan,[1] on May 20 for Europe and Australia, and for North America on May 26.[2]

Gameplay

As with other Dr. Mario games, players must manipulate pills to destroy colored viruses in the game area. Dr. Mario Online Rx features versions of the Nintendo DS title Brain Age 2's mini-games called Virus Buster and Germ Buster, which uses the pointer function of the Wii Remote to move pills, and allows up to four players to participate cooperatively.

The title supports the now defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, which allowed players to compete with one another over the Internet. Players can use Mii characters or Dr. Mario during gameplay.

Features

A majority of features from previous installments, such as the virus and speed levels, are present in Dr. Mario Online Rx. Players played online against another with only one copy, as an online-play demo could be sent akin to DS Download Play. Vs. Mode could also be played offline, if desired. Unlike Dr. Mario 64, Online Rx lacks the ability to play with four players, instead only allowing up to 2 players in Vs. Mode.

Several features in this game previously appeared in Dr. Mario 64, including the four musical tracks: "Fever", "Chill", "Cube", and "Que Que" (the latter two tracks are now named "Cough" and "Sneeze"). The music can be randomly selected or turned off. Flash Mode, which challenges the player(s) to clear just three flashing viruses among many, also returns from Dr. Mario 64.

Virus Buster, previously seen as a mini-game in Brain Age 2 has more customization than the original. Whereas the original only had Easy, Normal, and Hard as options, this version allows to adjust virus level and music as well. Remixed versions of "Fever" and "Chill" are present in this mode. Virus Buster can be played alone or with others, with up to four players. Instead of being controlled directly with the D-pad, they are guided with the Wii Remote pointer.[4]

In single player mode, a player can select to start the game at level 20. After winning level 20, levels 21, 22, and 23 increment by four viruses. Level 24 and beyond contain 99 viruses. After 99 levels, gameplay can continue but the game does not progress past level 99 and the player is presented with only the "Try Again" and "Quit" menu options.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic72/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer7/10[6]
GamesRadar+6/10[9]
IGN8.5/10[10]
Jeuxvideo.com7/20[11]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[12]
Nintendo World Report6/10[13]
ONM83%[14]
PALGN7/10[15]

The game received above-average reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5]

IGN called the main game "timeless" and the new Virus Buster mode "chaotically awesome". However they were let down by the fact that the main Dr. Mario mode only supported up to 2 players (where some earlier games had supported up to 4) and that Virus Buster was not playable online.[10] Additionally, N-Europe called it "the same Dr. Mario that we know and love" with "solid and functional graphics" and addictive gameplay.[16] GamePro said, "Playing Dr. Mario Online RX for an hour or so virtually guarantees a smile and good mood to follow. Precious few full-price Wii games are that much fun, and a $10 game that delivers and that every single member of your family is likely to enjoy playing - is frankly a bargain."[17][lower-alpha 2]

In contrast, GamesRadar+ called it a "slightly awkward puzzler" that "just isn't addictive enough to make you care" and likened it to "Puyo Puyo's in-bred cousin". However, they praised the online multiplayer functionality and enjoyed its clean presentation, with the exception of the music.[9]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Dr. Mario & Saikin Bokumetsu (Dr. MARIO & 細菌撲滅; lit. Dr. Mario & Bacteria Eradication)
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game three 4/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 5/5 for control.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dr. Mario & 細菌撲滅" (in ja). https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/wiiware/wdmj/index.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Two WiiWare Games and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel". May 26, 2008. https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/UQ-qWYX77RdpwPbIZzsizZDK76LqSd_v. 
  3. ↑ "NINTENDO'S INCOMPARABLE Wii CONSOLE LAUNCHES DEC 7th; SRP$399.95". September 15, 2006. http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php. 
  4. ↑ Tanaka, John (March 25, 2008). "Dr. Mario Hands-On". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/25/dr-mario-hands-on. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Dr. Mario Online RX". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dr-mario-online-rx/. 
  6. ↑ Whitehead, Dan (May 29, 2008). "WiiWare Roundup (Page 2)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/wiiware-roundup-review?page=2. 
  7. ↑ Workman, Robert (May 29, 2008). "Dr. Mario Online RX Review (Wii)". AOL. http://www.gamedaily.com/games/dr-mario-online-rx/wii/game-reviews/review/7221/2043/. 
  8. ↑ Luu, Frédéric (October 1, 2008). "Test : Dr. Mario & Bactéricide : fun en gélule" (in fr). TF1 Group. https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/dr-mario-bactericide-80347/test.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Houghton, David (May 21, 2008). "Dr. Mario & Germ Buster". Future plc. http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/dr-mario-wiiware/review/dr-mario-germ-buster/a-20080521141452617027/g-200711191611850011. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bozon, Mark (May 27, 2008). "Dr. Mario Online Rx Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/27/dr-mario-online-rx-review. 
  11. ↑ Romendil (May 28, 2008). "Test: Dr. Mario & Bactéricide" (in fr). Webedia. https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00009078-dr-mario-bactericide-test.htm. 
  12. ↑ Barker, Sammy (May 20, 2008). "Dr. Mario Online Rx Review". Hookshot Media. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2008/05/dr_mario_online_rx. 
  13. ↑ Metts, Jonathan (June 3, 2008). "Dr. Mario Online Rx". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/16082/dr-mario-online-rx-wii. 
  14. ↑ Scullion, Chris (July 2008). "Dr Mario And Germ Buster [sic Review"]. Official Nintendo Magazine (Future plc): 83. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/4513/reviews/dr-mario-and-germ-buster-review/. Retrieved September 29, 2024. 
  15. ↑ van Leuveren, Luke (May 25, 2008). "WiiWare: Dr. Mario & Germ Buster Review". PAL Gaming Network. http://palgn.com.au/nintendo-wii/11551/wiiware-dr-mario-germ-buster-review/. 
  16. ↑ Gittins, Sam (May 28, 2008). "WiiWare Review: Dr. Mario & Germ Buster". http://n-europe.com/review.php?rid=378. 
  17. ↑ Herring, Will (June 16, 2008). "Review: Dr. Mario Online RX". GamePro Arcade (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gameproarcade.com/article/87193/review-dr-mario-online-rx/. Retrieved September 29, 2024. 
  • Official Japanese site
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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