Den writes: "Nostalgia is great, but Mushroom Men manages to be engaging while using both systems' unique control schemes. The DS version is a 2-D game using the stylus and pad control scheme. It is a bit awkward at first. The stylus is used to execute the special moves for the various special moves to navigate the stages.
This ranges from flinging your character around the stage to using the cap to glide down. While the stylus controls are somewhat engaging, the Wii controls are far superior. Similar to Mario Galaxy, you use the pointer as well as the controller. The Pointer replaces the stylus and it instantly lowers the barrier to entry. Allowing the context sensitive cursor makes it far easier to make the characters do what you like. Although I think the stylus controls aren't that difficult, it depends on how much they expect you to do with simple gestures, other titles have suffered when the touch screen has a meltdown in recognition."
BeefJack writes: "Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars is a miniature 3D action/adventure platformer. I say miniature as it is played out from a 3-inch high perspective with some really original characters and themes that make for good eye candy throughout the game. The whole world is intriguing as you set out on your adventure playing through gardens, grass, logs, trees and pipes, and over tabletops, sinks, toilets and other household objects. When playing you really do get the feeling you have been shrunk and sucked into the world from a Mushrooms perspective."
GamersInfo writes: "Who would win in a fight to the death: a bunny rabbit or a mushroom? What if the mushroom wielded a weapon comprised of a matchstick, gum, a shard of glass, and had telekinetic powers due to some stuff called "spore". Also, the bunny's been infected by that same "spore" stuff. "
VG: "While we're quick to highlight quality third-party efforts on the Wii, with recent months delivering a decent number to compete with Nintendo's offerings, the bigger picture is a bleak one. One of the biggest problems is a general lack of effort in terms of visual design, with the majority of third-party Wii games struggling to even better what was put out on the technically inferior GameCube. Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars looks to right a few of those wrongs, combining solid platforming gameplay with a wonderful art style and superb audio work. Mushroom Men might not be a Nintendo-quality platformer, but it's an example of what can be achieved with the underpowered console."
