Dr. Mario World: Difference between revisions

|genre=[[Genre#Puzzle games|Puzzle]]

|modes=Single player, multiplayer

'''''Dr. Mario World''''' is<!--Please do not change this to "was"--> a discontinued puzzle game in the [[Dr. Mario (series)|''Dr. Mario'' series]] for {{wp|iOS}}, {{wp|iPadOS}}, and {{wp|Android (operating system)|Android}} devices. The game was originally set to release on July 10, 2019,<ref name=Release>[https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1140790733151993856 Nintendo of America's Twitter, announcing the release date]</ref> but ended up being released a day earlier on July 9.<ref>[http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/07/dr_mario_world_launches_a_day_earlier_than_expected_out_now_on_ios_and_android ''Dr. Mario World'' Launches A Day Earlier Than Expected, Out Now On iOS And Android] - Nintendo Life</ref> It was a free-to-download game with in-app purchases that was co-developed by [[Nintendo]], [[LINE]], and {{wp|NHN Entertainment Corporation|NHN Entertainment}}, and it was available initially in 59 countries/regions, including Japan and the United States. The game supported multiple languages, including Japanese and English.<ref name=Newsrelease/> ''Dr. Mario World'' is the second game of the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] for mobile devices, following ''[[Super Mario Run]]'', though it is the first free-to-play mobile game featuring microtransactions and gacha mechanics in the ''Super Mario'' franchise. Pre-registration for the game opened on July 1.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Drmarioworld_EN/status/1145579478329856000 Official ''Dr. Mario World'' Twitter (July 1, 2019)]</ref> Like ''Super Mario Run'', the game required a constant internet connection to play.

''Dr. Mario World'' takes advantage of the touchscreen controls of the smartphone, where players dragged [[capsule]]s with the touchscreen to eliminate [[virus]]es, though the core gameplay is slightly tweaked in comparison to prior ''Dr. Mario'' titles in that players solved puzzles with a limited number of capsules rather than infinite capsules against a time limit. New gameplay elements include three introduced colors of viruses: green, light-blue, and pink viruses, which occur mixed in the regular red, blue, and yellow viruses later in the game. ''Dr. Mario World'' features the debut of playable ''Super Mario'' characters as doctors than prior ''Dr. Mario'' games. These doctors have special abilities that help clear levels more easily. In addition, doctors can be paired with a wide variety of assistants, which constitute primarily of generic ''Super Mario'' enemies. As well as having a single-player mode, ''Dr. Mario World'' introduces a competitive versus mode, where players battled against opponents online in a gameplay style similar to that of the traditional ''Dr. Mario'' games.

The game ended its two-year services on November 1, 2021, at 6:00 a.m. (UTC).<ref>Nintendo (July 28, 2021). [https://drmario-world.com/en-GB/topics/#topics_20210728 End of Service Notice]. ''Dr. Mario World''. Retrieved August 13, 2021.</ref> A day later, the "''Dr. Mario World'' Memories" website was released, allowing players with Nintendo Accounts to view personal statistics and collected medals from the game.<ref name="DMWM">Nintendo (November 2, 2021). [https://drmario-world.com/en-US/topics/#topics_20211102 Dr. Mario World Memories Is Now Open.] ''Dr. Mario World''. Retrieved November 2, 2021.</ref>

[[File:Dr Mario World opening.png|thumb|100px|left|The opening cutscene of the game]]

A virus outbreak has occurred in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]], infecting [[Koopa Troopa]]s, [[Toad (species)|Toad]]s, and [[Shy Guy]]s, and [[Dr. Mario]] begins hunting down viruses to save the locals. [[Toad|Dr. Toad]] instructs Dr. Mario on how to eliminate viruses in the first demo level, featuring only red viruses. By the third (eleventh in version 1.10) level, [[Princess Peach]] notices that the Toads need her help while [[Bowser]] wants to take care of the viruses affecting [[Koopa Troop|his minions]] himself, so they join Dr. Mario as playable characters.

As with previous ''Dr. Mario'' games, the main and most common objective is to eliminate all of the viruses on the screen by connecting capsules of the same color to each of them, although instead of the capsules descending, the game's gravity is directed upwards with the viruses positioned towards the top of the screen. The player first drags a capsule from the bottom of the screen onto the field to use it, and the player can drag it again to move it or increase its "falling" speed, or tap it to rotate it horizontally or vertically; if there is an open space for the capsule to fit through, the player can drag the capsule towards that open space as well. Viruses are eliminated if three (as opposed to four) or more of the same color are matched.<ref name=Overview>Nintendo Mobile (June 17, 2019). [https://youtu.be/8b4DNKfs_tU Welcome to ''Dr. Mario World'']. ''YouTube''. Retrieved June 18, 2019.</ref> If the player uses a half of a capsule to eliminate viruses, the other half remains, and the player can drag it around as an ordinary capsule if it is free to go up the screen. Players earn a rainbow capsule if they make seven matches that eliminate viruses; these rainbow capsules can be used in tandem with pills of any color to eliminate viruses, though they take up only one tile on the screen. The classic red, blue, and yellow viruses return, while new green, purple, light-blue, and pink viruses make their debut,<ref name=Website>[https://drmario-world.com/en-US/index.html Official website]</ref> though purple viruses have never appeared in any stage before.

Depending on the stage, various obstacles may appear on the field, including [[Empty Block]]s and [[Brick Block]]s, and viruses can be hidden inside the Brick Blocks. Helpful objects such as [[shell]]s, [[exploder]]s, and [[skill charger]]s can also appear among the viruses. When matched with capsules of the same color, the helpful objects help out the player: Shells clear out viruses within the same row, exploders eliminate surrounding viruses, and skill chargers significantly fill the doctor's skill meter. There are various objects that act as obstacles, such as [[ice]] that may trap viruses that require a match to remove the ice, [[bubble]]s that shield them from capsules once before they disappear, and cages that require clearing the [[lock block]] to release them.<ref name=Overview/>

Special items can be used prior to entering a stage and while in the middle of a stage, aiding players to clear the stage. Dr. Toad gives out free items for a trial use, but after the single use, players need to purchase the items with diamonds or coins.

''Dr. Mario World'' has three main modes (stage mode, versus mode, and Skill Summit), a daily booster (daily mode prior to its introduction), and events. Stage mode serves as the game's single-player mode, while versus mode serves as the game's multiplayer mode. Versus mode is unlocked when players have cleared Stage 5 (20 in old versions). Skill Summit is unlocked when players have cleared Stage 20.  

[[File:DrMarioWorld-StageOverview.jpg|thumb|150px|The stage overview where the stage's information is shown]]

Stage mode is the mode players first start through and requires players to fulfill various objectives in order to clear stages. The most common objective is to eliminate viruses, though other objectives include obtaining [[Virus Coin]]s hidden in Brick Blocks. Stages are grouped into worlds, beginning with five—which are, in order, grass-, desert-, beach-, ghost-, and sky-themed—with more to be added in the future.<ref name=Overview/> Each world has two areas, which have 20 stages in each area. Each world also has its own set of challenge stages, in which players need to clear the stage before the time limit runs out, except for the last world where the challenge stages are not timed. Unlike in the prior ''Dr. Mario'' games, players are limited to a certain number of capsules per stage.<ref name=Overview/>

In order to play a stage, the player needs to have at least one [[Heart (item)|heart]]. A heart is regained automatically every 30 minutes, although players can purchase hearts with [[diamond]]s or clear a stage for a free heart (prior to version 2.3.0, clearing only uncleared stages rewards a heart). Since version 2.4.0, players who made at least one in-app purchase prior to that version have unlimited hearts. In the first 20 stages, players have an infinite number of hearts; afterwards, players are granted a max number of 10 hearts (five hearts prior to version 2.3.0), where if they have less than that number, each heart takes 30 minutes to refill. Diamonds can also be used to obtain items, obtain new doctors and assistants, and continue a stage should a player fail to clear the objective after running out of capsules or time (although only two continues are allowed per attempt).<ref name=Overview/> Diamonds can be purchased through the app with real money.<ref name=Overview/> Two versions of continues are available: One of them provides five capsules or 15 seconds of time for the cost of 10 diamonds, while the other provides eight capsules or 30 seconds of time for 15 diamonds.  

When a player clears a stage, they earn coins, a heart, and a number of stars depending on how many capsules are left when they have cleared; they can earn a max number of three stars for the best score. Coins are rewarded only if the player has not obtained the star(s) yet, while hearts were not rewarded for cleared stages prior to version 2.3.0. If a player retries or fails a stage too many times, Dr. Toad provides the player with extra capsules or time to the player (previously he uses a free [[hammer]] on a tile for the player), giving three extra capsules or nine extra seconds in the process. This amount increases in number the more they failed to complete that stage. Since version 2.0.0, diamond offers for three items for the price of two appear (boomerangs, skill fillers, and Capsule+ in this order based on the number of times failed).

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Mario.png|x80px|link=Dr. Mario]]<br>[[Dr. Mario]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Bowser.png|x80px|link=Bowser]]<br>[[Bowser|Dr. Bowser]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Peach.png|x80px|link=Peach]]<br>[[Princess Peach|Dr. Peach]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Luigi.png|x80px|link=Luigi]]<br>[[Luigi|Dr. Luigi]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Yoshi.png|x80px|link=Yoshi]]<br>[[Yoshi|Dr. Yoshi]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Toad.png|x80px|link=Toad]]<br>[[Toad|Dr. Toad]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Toadette.png|x80px|link=Toadette]]<br>[[Toadette|Dr. Toadette]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite BowserJr.png|x80px|link=Bowser Jr.]]<br>[[Bowser Jr.|Dr. Bowser Jr.]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Ludwig.png|x80px|link=Ludwig von Koopa]]<br>[[Ludwig von Koopa|Dr. Ludwig]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Wendy.png|x80px|link=Wendy O. Koopa]]<br>[[Wendy O. Koopa|Dr. Wendy]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Waluigi.png|x80px|link=Waluigi]]<br>[[Waluigi|Dr. Waluigi]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Wario.png|x80px|link=Wario]]<br>[[Wario|Dr. Wario]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Rosalina.png|x80px|link=Rosalina]]<br>[[Rosalina|Dr. Rosalina]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite DK.png|x80px|link=Donkey Kong]]<br>[[Donkey Kong|Dr. Donkey Kong]]

|align="center"|[[File:DrMarioWorld - Sprite Diddy Kong.png|x80px|link=Diddy Kong]]<br>[[Diddy Kong|Dr. Diddy Kong]]

|World 26 is an iceberg-themed world. When an area is cleared, [[Skating Goomba]]s and [[Penguin]]s appear.

|World 27 is a night version of World 14. When an area is cleared, [[Toad (species)|Toads]] appear.

|World 28 is much like World 15, only at night. When an area is cleared, [[Koopa Paratroopa|Paratroopa]]s, [[Parabomb]]s, and [[Foo]]s appear.

|World 29 is a night version of World 22. When an area is cleared,  red [[Koopa Troopa]]s, [[Fuzzy|Fuzzies]] and [[Stone Spike]]s appear.

|World 30 is much like World 5, only at night. When an area is cleared, [[Spiny|Spinies]], [[Koopa Paratroopa|Paratroopa]]s, and [[Lakitu]]s appear.

|align="center"|[[Diamond]]

Diamonds obtained by purchases come in two types: purchased diamonds and bonus diamonds. Purchased diamonds are tied to the device that is used to purchase them and are thus not transferrable to another device, while bonus diamonds are retained within the player's save. The rate of purchased diamonds is 10 diamonds per US $1 (currency varies by region), while bonus diamonds are added in for diamonds bought in higher quantities. Prior to the game's discontinuation, diamonds were made unavailable for purchase starting from July 28, 2021.<ref>[https://drmario-world.com/en-US/topics/ Topics]. ''Dr. Mario World''. Retrieved September 14, 2023.</ref>

At launch, ''Dr. Mario World'' received generally mixed to somewhat negative reviews. Critics were somewhat divided but leaned positively on its puzzle aspect and its multiplayer mode, but near unanimously criticized its microtransactions and its online requirement. It currently holds a score of 58 on Metacritic based on seventeen reviews<ref>[http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/dr-mario-world Metacritic score for ''Dr. Mario World''.] ''Metacritic''. Retrieved July 13, 2019.</ref> and a score of 55.94% on GameRankings based on eight reviews.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20191205224851/http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/256968-dr-mario-world/index.html GameRankings score for ''Dr. Mario World''.] ''GameRankings''. Archived from [http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/256968-dr-mario-world/index.html the original] on October 9, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2019.</ref>

Chris Carter of Destructoid gave the game a 6/10, praising the accessibility and puzzles the game has to offer, but criticized the microtransactions, claiming "I've been playing mobile games consistently since ''{{wp|Flight Control (video game)|Flight Control}}'' in 2009; so you could say I've had many encounters with energy systems and the like. The situation is definitely case-by-case, nuanced, and depending on the game the juice can absolutely be worth the squeeze. But seeing cute ''Super Mario'' characters reduced to this, with all of the psychological tricks in the book thrown in, is depressing. Just energy, just "you can finish this hard level if you pay," or just gacha would have been a lot as it is."<ref>Carter, Chris (July 10, 2019). "[https://www.destructoid.com/review-dr-mario-world-560164.phtml Review: ''Dr. Mario World'']". ''Destructoid''. Retrieved July 13, 2019.</ref> In a review without a score, Ben Bertoli of IGN expressed skepticism over the change in gameplay compared to the previous entries in the series, and was slightly more critical of the microtransactions, stating "While it doesn't make it unplayable, to be sure, it makes it very clear from the get-go where this ''Dr. Mario'''s priorities lie". He concluded that it was still a fairly decent game to play for those who enjoy puzzle games.<ref>Bertoli, Ben (Last updated July 10, 2019). "[https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/09/doctor-mario-world-review-impressions ''Dr. Mario World'' is Fun, But Flawed]". ''IGN''. Retrieved July 13, 2019.</ref> In a negative review, Glen Fox of Gamezebo gave the game a 2/5, criticizing practically everything about the game; he called the puzzles "artificial difficulty" and "uninspired", and raised a larger furor over the microtransactions, stating that he never expected Nintendo to engage in such practices.<ref>Fox, Glen (July 11, 2019). "[https://www.gamezebo.com/2019/07/11/dr-mario-world-review-an-uninspiring-puzzler-from-nintendo-thats-infested-with-predatory-iaps/ ''Dr. Mario World'' Review: An Uninspiring Puzzler From Nintendo That's Infested With Predatory IAPs]". ''Gamezebo''. Retrieved July 13, 2019.</ref>

In contrast to other critics, Chris Scullion of Nintendo Life gave the game a positive review and a score of 8/10, praising mainly the multiplayer mode. While he agreed with other critics that the single-player mode had too many microtransactions, he believed that the gameplay was fitting for a mobile device, and believed the multiplayer mode would be the game's highlight.<ref>Scullion, Chris (July 11, 2019). "[http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/mobile/dr_mario_world ''Dr. Mario World'' Review (Mobile)]". ''Nintendo Life''. Retrieved July 13, 2019.</ref>

{| class="wikitable reviews"

|align=left|"''It's a shame Nintendo cut and ran with microtransactions after one misstep — their first, no less — in the mobile market. [[Super Mario Run]]'s "buy the entire game" concept likely would have worked at a different pricepoint, or perhaps it was worth experimenting further instead of hitching their wagon to one of many runners in an already-bloated runner market. Instead we now have energy meters and gacha-gambling in nearly every mobile release; an extreme 180 compared to the original strategy. Dr. Mario World had plenty of potential to be added to my list of regular mobile games, but I literally can't play it as often as I'd like for that to happen.''"

{{main|List of quotes by Red}}

{{main|List of quotes by Blue}}

{{main|List of quotes by Yellow}}

*"''Hmm... I wonder if I can trade [[diamond]]s for some snacks...''"

*''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'': The red, blue, and yellow viruses from ''Dr. Mario World'' appear on the [[Magniflying Glass]] and [[Pink Magniflying Glass]] gliders introduced in the [[Doctor Tour (2022)|2022 Doctor Tour]] and the [[Peach vs. Bowser Tour (May 2022)|May 2022 Peach vs. Bowser Tour]], respectively. Dr. Luigi also reuses his artwork from this game, as well as Dr. Peach and Dr. Bowser from this game making a playable appearance.

*The official ''Dr. Mario World'' {{wp|Facebook}} page (see [[Dr. Mario World#External links|Dr. Mario World § External links]]) has never been {{wp|Account verification|verified}}, unlike other Facebook pages operated by Nintendo.

*[https://facebook.com/DrMarioWorld Facebook]

*[https://X.com/Drmarioworld_EN X] (English)

*[https://X.com/Drmarioworld_JP X] (Japanese)

{{Super Mario games}}